JULY 30, 2009
INSHORE - There has been a lot of catch and release snook action this week in the Ft. Pierce Inlet for anglers using live baits and fishing on the out going tide. Also, a mixed in with the snook are some slot and over the slot sized redfish. Look for the trout bite to continue to be good during the cooler hours of the day. Top water baits or a live shrimp fished under a popping cork has been the best when fishing the docks at St. Lucie Village. I am still getting good reports of snapper along the channel edges both to the north and south in the Intercoastal. The bait of choice has been a live shrimp or a small white bait.
OFFSHORE - The kingfish bite has still been the most productive thing happening offshore. Try slow trolling a live bait in 20 to 60 feet of water. I have only had a few small dolphin reported this week and they were caught in anywhere from 60 to 600 feet of water and it seemed that most of them were small schoolies. A yellow/green skirted ballyhoo was producing the most fish. There is still a fair amount of sailfish being reported in 100 feet of water to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks remains steady for snapper, sea bass and triggerfish. Along the beaches look for tarpon, jacks and bonita and they have been taking live baits.
MINI SEASON - The lobster mini season has been a good one for most of the people staying at the Dockside Inn. On Wednesday the boats had from 5 to 80 lobsters. The ones that went deeper had more. We did have a 10 pounder come in on Wednesday. On Thursday itt was a hit or miss thing. Most divers saw lobster but a lot of them had eggs. Most of the boats averaged 10 per boat.
BRAGGING BOARD - On Tuesday Capt. Rob Ward, his daughter Savannah, her cousin -- Brennen Tessier, and friends Jimmy Check & Alex went offshore fishing. All the kids caught fish -- kings, bonita and a small dolphin. They were using live greenies.
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
