Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

[Captain Joe Ward]

JANUARY 9, 2008

INSHORE - The inshore fishing has still been on the slow side with everyone looking for the fish that are hiding. Most of the catch and release snook and the trout are coming from the deeper holes, channel and cuts and they have been taking live greenie's or shrimp. For the artificial's it has been hard to beat a GULP bait fished slow. Remember, the water temps are cold and the fish will move a lot slower. Try places like the channel at Big Mud Creek, Harbor Branch or Pete Stone Creek. Along the channel edges look for plenty of under size grouper to bend your rod as well as plenty of snapper, black drum and sheepshead. These fish have been taking live shrimp. The spanish mackerel and jacks are all over the Inlet and in the Turning Basin and hitting anything that shines. The redfish have been hard to find but if you do find a school like the ones up around Bird Island try throwing them a piece of cut ladyfish.

OFFSHORE - Everyone is chasing the sailfish with the best bite coming from the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. But, it has been a lot of work for only a few chances for a fish. There has been a few scattered dolphin in 140 to 180 feet of water and they have been taking naked ballyhoo. The kingfish bite is still good in 70 feet of water if you can keep your baits away from the sharks and bonita. The bottom fishing has also been on the slow side but the reports are coming from the area around Bethel Shoals. Both live and cut baits were used for the few snapper that were caught. Along the beaches there has been plenty of jacks and spanish mackerel and they have been hitting anything that shines.

TEEN ANGLERS - The next monthly inshore tournament for the local chapter of Teen Anglers will be held on Sunday, January 20th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. There will be a mandatory meeting on Saturday, January 19th at 10am. If you would like to volunteer to take a Teen Angler fishing once a month or would like to join Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org

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

Cap. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters