DECEMBER 14, 2007
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good this week starting with the catch and release trout. There has been plenty of action both to the north and south in the river. A Glow Shrimp from GULP or a live greenie has been the top baits to use. Try fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water on the falling tide. The redfish bite has also been good along the docks at St. Lucie Village. Fish a live shrimp under the docks for the best results. The snook action has been good but still hard to find that slot size fish -- lots of 24 to 27 incher's and quite a few that were over 32 inches. Most of the fish were caught around the local bridges in Ft. Pierce the South Jetty or in the Ft. Pierce Inlet with live baits like a pinfish or a pigfish. Just a reminder that snook season closes on December 15th. If you are fishing in the Turning Basin or the Inlet try using a small live greenie or a silver spoon -- this will surely get you a spanish mackerel. The flounder bite continues to get better around the sand bars along the Inlet and try using a live shrimp or a finger mullet for the best results. There has been a good amount of sandperch, sheepshead and snapper being reported around the bridges.
OFFSHORE - It's sailfish time and everyone is looking for a good of sails to show up but so far it has been steady but not red hot. The reports I have been getting have the fish coming from 140 to 160 feet of water of the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. I did have several dolphin and wahoo reported this week and they were caught in 180 feet of water on trolled ballyhoo. The kingfish reports are good with fish in 70 to 90 feet of water. A lot of the kings were caught on a live bait or on a trolling spoon. The bottom fishing has slowed some due to the sea conditions and it looks like this weekend might be a blow out with the strong northeast winds and the rain. But, the first part of the week there were some snapper and grouper reported to the north of the Ft Pierce Inlet in 50 to 70 feet of water. It was hard to keep the sharks away and they seemed to be everywhere.
BRAGGING BOARD - This Wednesday I had the privilege to have PFC Richard Kelly fish with me. Richard recently returned from a tour in Iraq where he is with the 5th Battalion - 20th Infantry. Now that he is back in the states he is stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington. We left the dock and headed north. When we got there Rich made his first cast and he hooked into and 8 pound trout. He caught and released several more trout. Rich also caught and released a nice grouper, missed a big redfish, got a nice big permit to the side of the boat and caught several jacks. His Mom -- Suzanne caught and released a snook and several other fish. All in all we had a great day of fishing and Rich has some good fish stories to tell his fellow Army personal.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - Last Saturday -- December 8th was the regular scheduled from shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers. The tournaments are held at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. The weather was great but the fishing was SLOW -- but, the kids had a great time.
In the 5 to 8 age group the winners are
1st place - Savannah Ward - 7 - Lawnwood Elementary - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Myles Tullis - 8 - Lawnwood Elementary - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Bryce Tullis - 6 - Lawnwood Elementary - Ft. Pierce
In the 9 to 11 age group the winners are
1st place - Dylora Kohler - 10 - Village Green Elementary - Port St. Lucie
2nd place - Justin Roe - 11 Liberty Baptist - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Robert Williams - 9 - Fairlawn Elementary - Ft. Pierce
The biggest fish trophy went to Myles Tullis for his 2lb. 8oz. ladyfish.
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 we at www.captjoeward.com.
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters
