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

May 31, 2007
 
INSHORE - With the wind blowing hard again all week it is making the fishing tough for most of the open flats.  But, the anglers who are fishing around the spoil islands are finding a good number of trout and a few redfish.  Try the area from Round Island to the North Bridge and fish small jerk baits or a live shrimp.  The last week of snook season has been fair but nothing that has been red hot.  The best spots have been the North Bridge and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet.  Most of the fish that were reported were caught on live baits like a greenie, pinfish or a mullet.  Still plenty of reports about some nice size snapper to 3 pounds being caught around the bridges on small live shrimp. 
 
OFFSHORE - The sea conditions have not been good and most days have been 4 to 6 foot or better.  The dolphin fishing has been red hot with a lot of fish in the 20 to 30 pound range.  Most of the dolphin are being caught in 175 to 300 feet of water on a trolled ballyhoo and it did not matter if they were skirted or not.  Look for the kingfish action in 70 to 90 feet.  I have also been getting reports of a few cobia in that same area.  Just make sure you have something to throw at them like a chartreuse Cobia Slayer from Gulfstream Lures or a piece of cut bait.  Also, plenty of sailfish reports coming from all over. 
 
BRAGGING BOARD - On Sunday night Tucker McCarty caught a couple of nice keeper snook while fishing around the North Bridge.  On Saturday while drifting the flats at Bear Point his brother Cole caught his 1st snook.  They were using live baits.  On Sunday Joe Browning and Matthew Gamage braved the 5 foot seas to land a boat full of dolphin.  Matthew caught a 36 pounder -- a personal best for the 15 year old.  They had a total of 8 dolphin, 2 kings and a 20 pound cobia.  They were 20 miles offshore and using naked ballyhoo.
 
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