Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward

May 22, 2008

INSHORE - There has not been a lot to talk about this week with the inshore fishing being slow for the most part. The best action was from the snook in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The snook were feeding on mullet around the lighted docks in the Inlet. Only a few keepers were reported and a lot of under size one's were released. The few trout that were reported came from the docks along South Indian River Drive. I had anglers reporting that they caught a few small trout just at daylight and they were using a small pinfish or a top water bait. I did get reports of schooling redfish from Round Island back to the North Bridge and they were on the east side of the river but, the fish were not very willing to eat. There is still plenty of spanish mackerel and ladyfish around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and in the Turning Basin.

OFFSHORE - The dolphin bite has slowed but the fish that have come into the docks this week have been from 20 to 40 pounds. They have been getting them in 85 to 250 feet of water and almost all were caught on a ballyhoo. We did have several wahoo in the 12 to 18 pound range come in this week and also a lot of sailfish releases reported. The bottom fishing for snapper has been steady over the reefs at Bethel Shoals. Both live and cut baits have been producing fish. The kingfish bite is still going strong along the beaches to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 30 to 40 feet of water. Live mullet has been the way to go.

BRAGGING BOARD - Jessie Lee Pfeiffer - age 3 caught her 1st kingfish on Sunday with very little help from her Dad - Jesse Pfeiffer. Jessie Lee was using a live mullet and fishing in 25 feet of water. Her fish weighed in at 10 pounds.

If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or you can 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