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

April 10, 2008

INSHORE - There is only one word to describe the inshore fishing this week and that is SLOW! I have only had reports of a handful of small trout being reported and they came from around Bear Point. I did have several reports of redfish sightings but nothing was caught. Most of the redfish were along the docks of South Indian River Drive. There has been a few grouper reported along the channel edges to the north of the North Bridge. But, it was a lot of work for a few fish and most were under the slot. The snook bite in the Ft. Pierce Inlet has been steady on the out going tide when using pinfish for bait. There are still a few spanish mackerel, bluefish and jack around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and in the Intercoastal.

OFFSHORE - I had reports of scattered dolphin action starting in about 130 feet of water and out to about 155 feet. Most of the anglers reported that a white/pink skirted ballyhoo got the most action. There have been some kingfish in the 12 to 20 pound range coming from around the Offshore Bar. A slow trolled blue runner was the way to go. Still not much to report about the bottom fishing. There have been a few small snapper, triggerfish, sea bass and plenty of sharks. There were a couple of grouper reported that came from the wrecks in 160 feet of water.

JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - Last Saturday -- April 5th was the last from shore fishing tournament of the school year for the Junior Teen Anglers. We hold all of our from shore tournaments at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. The Junior's fish from 9am until 11 am then we award trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place in the 5 to 8 age group and also in the 9 to 11 age group. We also award a trophy for the biggest fish of the tournament.

In the 5 to 8 age group
1st place - Savannah Ward - age 7 - Lawnwood Elementary
2nd place Carrie Loupe - age 7 - St. Lucie Elementary
3rd place - Richard Henson - age 8 - Fairlawn Elementary

In the 9 to 11 age group
1st place - Dylora Kohler - age 11 - Village Green Elementary
2nd place - Ryan Causland - age 11 - Sebastian Middle School
3rd place - Megan Miller - age 11 - Gifford Middle School

The biggest fish of the tournament went to Ryan Causland for his stingray that was estimated to be about 10 pounds.

BRAGGING BOARD - Kaitlyn Ward - age 3 caught her 1st sheepshead on Wednesday of this week while fishing off a dock with her grandmother The fished weighed about 1 & 1/2 pounds and she caught him on a live shrimp with her Dora fishing pole. She also caught 3 puffer fish. Teen Angler -- Helen Kinchen caught her 1st pompano a week ago while drifting the flats in Stuart. The fish was caught on a free lined live shrimp. The day before her dad - Robert Kinchen caught a pompano and while reeling it in he had a shark after it. Same bait a free lined live shrimp.

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