Ft Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward

FEBRUARY 2, 2007

INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good this week in areas out of the wind. The big news this week is the opening of snook season. I got good reports of fish being caught around the bridges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Anglers reported that they were using everything from live shrimp to a Red Tail hawk. The best bite on opening night seemed to be the lighted docks along the Inlet. Remember when you are fishing the docks along the Inlet be courteous to the dock fishermen. If someone is fishing on the docks just go to the next lighted one. The trout bite has also been good when fishing in 2 to 4 feet of water. Try a large live shrimp and fish it under a popping cork or a DOA Glow Shrimp. I am still getting reports of a few redfish around the Queen's Cove area. Try a jerk bait in a natural color and use a slow retrieve. The bottom fishing for snapper, sheepshead, sandperch and black drum has been steady around just about any structure you can find.

OFFSHORE - Sea conditions have not been that great most of the week for the smaller boats but, the bigger boats are reporting a steady sailfish and dolphin bite to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The bite has been starting in about 100 feet of water. I am still getting good reports of kingfish along the 70 to 90 foot mark from the anglers that were trolling a ribbonfish on a down rigger. Most of the fish caught have been between 12 and 18 pounds. I did get a report from the boat Clean Water of two wahoo -- a 23 & 37 pounder. They were caught in 180 feet of water off of the Power Plant. The bottom fishing has been good over the reefs and wrecks for snapper, sea bass and a few keeper size grouper. Most of the grouper that were caught were under sized and released. There are plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the beaches in 15 to 30 feet of water and they are eating anything that they see.

JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - This Saturday is the regular scheduled Junior Teen Anglers from shore fishing tournament. This is for the 5 to 11 age group. The Jr. Teen's will fish from 9am until 11am and then we award trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the 5 to 8 age group and also in the 9 to 11 age group. If you would like more info on joining Junior Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org There is also a Teen Angler division for the 12 to 18 age group.

BRAGGING BOARD - Wayne Wilson and Bob Weinfurener reported catching a few redfish and a good number of sheepshead. They were fishing south in the river and using live shrimp. Larry Reid reported a steady catch of sandperch this week while fishing the tide change. Larry was using frozen shrimp. Wally Dressel reported a catch of sheepshead and a couple of big sandperch. Wally was using live shrimp.

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