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

April 3, 2008

INSHORE - The ESE winds have been blowing 15 to 20mph just about every day this week and this has made fishing tough. On these days most anglers launched their boats at Round Island and fished at Round Island, Queen's Cove or Jack Island. A live shrimp fished under a popping cork was working the bet for the trout. Most of the fish reported were under 3 pounds. A pinfish was the way to go for the snook that were up on the flats but most of the fish were under size. There were a lot of jacks and ladyfish to keep you busy. The redfish reported in this same area have been very easy to spook and not letting anglers get within casting distance. On Saturday we followed a school for about 45 minutes with no luck. On a couple of morning this week before the winds kicked up there were good numbers of snapper, sheepshead, black drum and spanish mackerel along the channel edges of the Intercoastal. A live shrimp was hard to beat. As for the snook fishing around the docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet at night the bite has been red hot on the tide changes. Small live shrimp free lined or a small pinfish fished the same way has been the ticket but most of the snook have been under the slot.

OFFSHORE - Not many good days weather wise to venture offshore this past week but the few days it did lay down I got reports of scattered dolphin and a few sailfish in 120 to 140 feet of water. The kingfish bite has been the best in 60 to 90 feet of water along with plenty of bonita and sharks. The cobia are starting to show up for anglers fishing over the reefs and wrecks but it has been slow. Have a rod ready with a chartreuse colored jig like the Cobia Slayer from Gulfstream Lures to throw at them. This past weekend we had a fishing club at the motel and they brought in a variety of fish. There were a lot of small dolphin, kingfish, a couple of grouper and a lot of amberjack. Along the beaches you will find plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and spinner sharks.

JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - This Saturday - April 5th is the from shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers. We will fish from 9am until 11am at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce then award trophies and goodie bags. Junior Teen Anglers is for the 5 to 11 age group. If you would like more info on Junior Teen Anglers or Teen Anglers for the 12 to 18 age group just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org. You can also call 772-201-5773 for more info.

BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from Jeff Walk about his son Trevor Walk - age 5 - and the 25 inch snook he caught while fishing at the South Jetty in Ft. Pierce. Trevor caught the snook on a live shrimp and a trol-rite hook. After a quick picture they released the fish. Trevor is a member of the Junior Teen Anglers and is an avid fisherman.

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