JULY 12, 2007
INSHORE - There has been a good snapper bite around the local bridges, channel edges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. A live shrimp or a small white bait are the ticket and most of the fish were from 1 to 3 pounds. The trout action is still going strong with the best bite being at daylight and on top water baits. After about 8am switch to a live shrimp or a pigfish for the most action. Look around the docks for catch and release snook and redfish. They will be in the shade of the docks and waiting on a shrimp or a finger mullet to swim by. I had a few reports about tripletail on the channel markers to the south of the power lines. They were taking a live shrimp on a trol-rite hook and most of the fish were 6 pounds or under. I saw a few tarpon rolling up at The Moorings on Tuesday and Wednesday and had reports that they were down at Big Mud Creek but it seemed that they had lock jaw. One angler threw everything he had at them and not even a look.
OFFSHORE - The dolphin bite has slowed way down with only a few fish being reported. Most of the fish that were caught were under 12 pounds. The kingfish bite is still going strong for anglers fishing with a live bait in 70 to 90 feet of water. We have had 3 wahoo come into the docks in the last 9 days and all of them were 60 pounders. They were all caught between 100 and 120 feet of water on a ballyhoo with a red and black skirt. Lots of reports about free jumping sailfish to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most of the fish were in 100 feet of water but not many hookups were reported. The bottom fishing snapper and grouper is still one of the best plans. Try a live bait or a pierce of cut bait and fish over the reefs in 60 to 90 feet of water. The bite to the North seemed to be a little better than to the South. Along the beaches there has been a good number of tarpon and big jacks. The tarpon bite was good at The Cove on Sunday with fish to 150 pounds being reported.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - The first from shore tournament of the 2007 - 2008 season is scheduled for Saturday - August 25th at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. Junior Teen Anglers is for the 5 to 11 age group. For more info go to the web at www.teenanglers.org or call 772-201-5773.
TEEN ANGLERS - The first inshore fishing tournament of the 2007 - 2008 season will be held on Sunday - August 19th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. There will be a mandatory meeting on Saturday - August 18th. Teen Anglers is for the 12 to 18 age group. If you would like to join Teen Anglers or become a boat volunteer just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org or call 772-201-5773.
BRAGGING BOARD - Last Saturday Christopher King on the King's Ransom caught a 60 pound wahoo. He was fishing in 109 feet of water out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and using a ballyhoo with a red & black skirt. Also on Saturday and out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet Capt. Bobby Thorlton lead his charter to a catch of 6 kings, a 12.5 pound red grouper and a 15 pound dolphin. They also released several other short grouper. They were fishing in 76 feet of water. And, on Saturday Parker Greene, age 8 caught and released his first snook -- a 6 pounder. He also caught his first trout which was 2 pounds. He and his dad -- Gary caught several snapper. On Sunday Jesse Pfeiffer hooked and released an estimated 150 pound tarpon while fishing at The Cove off of Vero Beach. On Tuesday Brent Harvey caught a 60 pound wahoo in 119 feet of water. He was also using a ballyhoo with a red & black skirt.
If you would like to report a catch -- call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters
