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

August 2, 2007

INSHORE - The trout action has been good all around the river. Just find the schools of bait and you will find the trout. Live shrimp or a greenie fished under a popping cork has been hard to beat but the bite has been over by 9:00am. The catch and release snook action has also been good along the flats with fish from 5 to 10 pounds being reported. The snook have been taking the same baits as the trout. The redfish bite has slowed some but I am still getting reports of slot size fish coming from around the docks along South Indian River Drive. A soft plastic bait or a live shrimp has been your best bet. The snapper bite along the channel edges continues to be good with a good number of snapper from just legal to 14 inches. Most of the fish are being caught on live shrimp. I did get reports of a good tripletail bite coming form the channel markers to the south of the power lines.

OFFSHORE - The dolphin bite has slowed way down with only a few fish being reported. They were caught in 150 to 300 feet of water. But, the sailfish reports are still coming in on a regular basis. Try fishing in 100 feet of water and to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and troll a ballyhoo. Your best bet has been the kingfish. They have been hanging around the Offshore Bar in 90 feet of water and taking live baits. I also had reports from anglers who were bottom fishing that they also had gotten a few nice size cobia. The snapper bite has remained good for the anglers fishing over the reefs and wrecks. The snapper have been taking both live and cut baits. Most of the fish have been from 5 to 11 pounds. The grouper bite has slowed way down with only a few fish being reported. We did have a couple of wahoo come into the docks this week with the biggest one weighing 32 pounds. Look for plenty of spanish mackerel, bonita and tarpon along the beaches and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. They will be following the bait schools.

TEEN ANGLERS - The first inshore fishing tournament of the 2007 - 2008 season for the local chapter of Teen Anglers will take place on August 19th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. There will be a mandatory meeting on Saturday -- August 18th. If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 and would like to join up just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org. For more info you can call 772-201-5773.

JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - The first from shore fishing tournament of the 2007 - 2008 season will be held on Saturday - August 25th at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. Junior Teen Anglers if for the 5 to 11 age group. If you would like to join just go to the website at www.teenanglers.org or you can call 772-201-5773 for more info.

If you would like to report a catch you can call me at 772-201-5770 or send me an e-mail at cward11605@aol.com. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com.

Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters