OCTOBER 8, 2009
INSHORE - The trout fishing is back to red hot this week with plenty of fish in 3 to 5 feet of water both to the north and south in the river. The top bait has been a live shrimp or live greenies but a soft plastic bait like a D.O.A. Shrimp will do just fine. I did have reports of a few slot size redfish along the docks of South Indian River Drive down past the power lines. They were taking live finger mullet. The snook bite remains steady in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the area bridges. A live mullet or a live croaker are the number one baits right now. The snapper bite along the channel edges has slowed down but the fish that are being caught are good size - 1 to 2 &1/2 pounds. The snapper are taking live shrimp or small white baits. Also, along the channel edges and at the bridges is a pretty good black drum bite with fish to 8 pounds being reported. Most of the drum are feeding in live shrimp or crabs.
OFFSHORE - The reports of dolphin are still slow coming in with only a few fish reported each day. The fish have been scattered from 70 to 400 feet of water and taking ballyhoo -- both naked and skirted in yellow/green. There have been a lot of reports of kingfish in 60 to 90 feet of water and they have been taking live baits if you are lucky enough to find some. If not just net up some live mullet before you go offshore. I am getting more reports of sailfish to the south in 100 feet of water and they are taking a trolled ballyhoo. The bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks has been good for snapper, sea bass, AJ's, triggerfish and plenty of cuda's.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - Last Saturday -- October 3rd was the from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers. The Juniors caught a record 58 fish during the 2 hour tournament.
In the 5 to 8 age group
1st place - Taylor Roop - F. K. Sweet - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Leah Pruitt - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Andrew Evans - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
In the 9 to 11 age group
1st place - Thomas Roop - F. K. Sweet - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Laine Pruitt - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Dylan Brewer - Parkway Elem. - Port. St. Lucie
Biggest fish of the tournament went to Robert Kinchen - Morningside Elem. - Port St. Lucie.
The next from shore tournament will be held on Saturday - December 5th at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. For more info call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
If you would like to report a catch you can -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
