December 6, 2007
INSHORE - The reports about the pompano are starting to come in from anglers fishing to the south in the river -- from the Midway Road area down to the power lines. Sandfleas or a small live shrimp are taking most of the fish. Look for a steady flounder bite around the sand bars to the south of the South Bridge as well as in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the South Jetty. Also, in the Inlet and in the Turning Basin there are plenty of jacks and spanish mackerel and both are feeding on small live baits. The redfish have been pretty active this past week around the docks along both North and South Indian River Drive. Live shrimp or a soft plastic bait like a D.O.A. Shrimp in a rootbeer or glow color will work the best. Most of the keeper size snook are coming from the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the falling tide and they have been taking live baits like pinfish, pigfish or a mullet fished on the bottom. And, there has been plenty of bottom fish -- sandperch, sheepshead, croakers and snapper reported around the local bridges when using live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - It is sailfish time and everyone is looking and a few are catching. Most reports I had this week were coming from the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 80 to 110 feet of water. Anglers are reporting scattered dolphin in 160 to 180 feet of water and most of the fish were caught on ballyhoo. There is still some kingfish action in 60 to 90 feet of water and the kings have been taking live baits that is if you can keep it away from the bonita and cuda's. The bottom fishing for snapper and grouper remains good over the reefs and wrecks. Cuts baits and also live baits have been working equally as well. There is all the spanish mackerel and jacks running up and down the beaches to keep you busy.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - This Saturday -- December 8th is the next from shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers. The will fish at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce from 9:00am until 11:00am. They will award trophies for 1st to 3rd place in the 5 to 8 age group and also in the 9 to 11 age group. There will also be a trophy for the biggest fish of the tournament. If you would like more info and Junior Teen Anglers or for the 12 to 18 age group -- Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org. You can also call 772-201-5773 for more info.
BRAGGING BOARD - Finally after trying for several years my wife -- Cammie Ward caught her first redfish last Sunday. The redfish was 24 inches long. Then she was really surprised to catch another one and it was 22 inches long and she was using a large live shrimp. Not a bad way to start off her redfish career.
If you would like to report a catch you can 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