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

JANUARY 18, 2007

INSHORE - The weather this week hasn't been perfect for fishing unless you fished on Tuesday which was beautiful. I have been getting good reports of catch and release snook around both the North and South Bridges and along the lighted docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most anglers have been using small baits like a small greenie, a small pinfish and even small live shrimp. The trout action has also been good for schoolie size trout when fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water. Both live and artificial baits have been producing fish. If you are looking for sheepshead -- just find some structure and bring plenty of bait. The flounder bite continues to be good but a lot of the fish being caught are small. Only a handful of keeper size flounder were reported. And, as usual there are plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish to keep anglers busy.

OFFSHORE - Not many nice days this past week but when the boats are getting out the fishing has been good. The best sailfish action seems to be to the South and starting in 120 to 140 feet of water. The dolphin have been scattered in that same area with a few fish to 30 pounds being reported. I did have reports from one boat with 2 nice size wahoo caught in 400 feet of water on Tuesday. Look around the 70 to 90 foot range for the kingfish. And, bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks is still on the slow side. There are plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish along the local beaches.

TEEN ANGLERS - This past Sunday was the monthly inshore fishing tournament for the local chapter of Teen Anglers. Even with the wind and rain showers the teen's made a good showing. Sheepshead was definitely the fish of the day. In the middle school division 1st place and biggest fish of the tournament went to Josh Partin of Oslo Middle School in Vero Beach. 2nd place was Josh Drumm -- also of Oslo and 3rd place went to Jason Horn of Central Middle School in Melbourne. In the high school division 1st place went to R.J. Swinford of Westwood High and 2nd place was Kalib Guettler also of Westwood. The next schedule tournament is on February 18th. If you would like to volunteer to take these teen's fishing -- please go to the website at www.teenanglers.org and sign up as a volunteer.

BRAGGING BOARD - Diane Peters visiting here from Michigan caught her limit of sheepshead while fishing around the local bridges on Sunday. The biggest fish was 3 & 1/2 pounds. Helen Burley from the Villages caught a 2 & 1/2 foot spanish mackerel on Saturday. Ed and Emily Hendricks visiting from Haines City caught their limit of sheepshead while fishing around the bridges on Sunday. Their biggest sheepshead was 4 pounds. Emily also caught and released a huge sting ray while fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet.

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