JUNE 18, 2009
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has improved this week with not so much fresh water runoff. I have had good reports of tarpon from 25 to 80 pounds and they have been feeding at first light around the Moorings. The bait of choice this week has been live mullet. There has been quite a few trout reported this week and they were up around the Mooring's flats and as well on the flats at Harbor Branch, Bear Point and Little Mud Creek. A live pigfish or a live shrimp has been the bait to use. The redfish have also become very active this week at the docks along St. Lucie Village and along South Indian River Drive. They have been feeding the best when you are using a live pig or pinfish. As for the snapper -- they are still a little slow in showing up. I did have reports of a few along the channel edges to the north of the North Bridge and they were taking live shrimp. There were a few tripletail caught to the south of the power lines. They were using a live shrimp and the fish were in the 5 pound range.
OFFSHORE - Everyone is chasing the cobia which it has been a red hot bite. On Monday and Tuesday they were just outside of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and taking just about anything you could throw at them. But, on Wednesday after all the pressure the bite slowed way down. There are still plenty of kingfish and a good number of them are over 30 pounds. Most of the fish have been caught in 30 feet of water off the North Beach and they are taking a slow trolled live bait. The sailfish action remains steady with fish both to the north and south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most of the hook ups have been in 100 feet of water. And, as always there are more than plenty bonita's, cuda's, sharks and amberjacks to keep you busy.
BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail and picture from a very excited dad -- Travis White. He reported that his new fishing buddy -- his 5 year old daughter caught her 1st fish. Kyla White caught a 46 inch dolphin in 240 feet of water on a naked ballyhoo out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. I got a picture and e-mail from Dan Clemons about a first for him too. He was fishing in 350 feet of water southeast of the Ft. Pierce Inlet when he caught a marlin. He was using an Iland lure and a ballyhoo. Last Thursday Trevor Walk -- age 6 caught a nice 22 inch trout while fishing with a live shrimp and a Cajun Thunder popping cork. He was on my boat with my granddaughter -- Savannah Ward -- age 9 and we were shooting a video about taking kids fishing. You can check it out at
YouTube - Inshore Knowledge - Fishing With The Kids
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters
