Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

[Captain Joe Ward]

DECEMBER 4, 2008

INSHORE - For most of the week the inshore fishing has been steady with a lot of catch and release trout being reported both to the north and south in the river. To the north try around Harbor Branch and to the south try at Middle Cove. Soft plastic baits in light colors or a live shrimp under a popping cork will work great. There has been a lot of redfish spotted up on the flats but there has been very little action from these fish. Most of the fish sightings were to the north in the river around Jack Island. The snook fishing remains steady around the deeper water like in the Ft. Pierce Inlet, Turning Basin and around both the North and South Bridges. Big jigs or big trolling plugs fished around the bridges have been working best or you can try a live bait in the Turning Basin or the Ft. Pierce Inlet. All of the area bridges are producing good catches of bottom fish like sand perch, sheepshead, black drum, snapper and croakers. Both live and dead shrimp have been working for these fish.

OFFSHORE - Again, pick the right day and the action for dolphin and sailfish has been good. Most of the action has been in 90 to 200 feet of water and trolling both a naked or skirted ballyhoo has been the way to go. Look for a good kingfish bite in 50 to 80 feet of water -- the only problem has been a lot of small sharks taking all the bait. The bottom fishing has been good over the reefs starting in 30 feet of water out to 80 feet. The best bite has been to the north of the Ft Pierce Inlet. Down at the Boils you will find all the spanish mackerel and jacks plus a few nice pompano mixed in. Try a small spoon for the spanish and jacks and for the pompano try small jigs or sand fleas.

BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from Steve Gerwig on the Knot Rite. He said that on Thanksgiving Day he and Marne Mizelle went out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and had a great day of fishing. He said they found some dolphin in 600 feet of water and that the sails we all but jumping in the boat. He said that the sails were hitting any bait that moved. Water temp at the Ft. Pierce Inlet was 66.1 and in the Gulfstream it was 78.9.

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