Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

[Captain Joe Ward]

FEBRUARY 15, 2007

INSHORE - There has been a lot of wind this week and that made fishing tricky. But, I did get good reports about catches made along the west side of the river around the docks along South Indian River Drive. Most of the anglers were reporting trout and redfish feeding on live shrimp and soft plastic baits when they were fished slow. The snook fishing has been steady when fishing around the docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most of the fish caught were just short of the 27 inch slot but, I did have reports of a few big fish, over 40 inches coming from the Turning Basin early in the morning. These fish were feeding on large live shrimp. If it is sheepshead or black drum your looking for then you will need to try the area bridges. Fiddler crabs or small live shrimp have been working the best. The croakers have been scattered but if you were in the right spot when the bite turned on you got your share of them. Still a few spanish mackerel and bluefish in the Ft. Pierce Inlet.

OFFSHORE - Once again, sea conditions haven't been that great but they have been fishable. I got good reports of sea bass, triggerfish, snapper and grouper coming from the party boats that were fishing in 60 to 90 feet of water. There are still some scattered dolphin in 120 to 160 feet of water and feeding on ballyhoo. The kingfish bite has been OK in 50 to 70 feet of water to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. I am starting to get reports of some nice cobia in 50 feet of water. And, as always there is plenty of Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the local beaches.

TEEN ANGLERS - The local chapter of Teen Anglers will hold their monthly inshore fishing tournament on Sunday, Feb. 18th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. The teens will fish from 6:45am until noon. They will receive trophies and fishing gear for 1st thru 3rd place in the middle and high school divisions. If you would like more info on joining Teen Anglers or becoming a volunteer just go to the website at National Teen Anglers.

BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from Janis George about a 2 & 1/2 foot -- 30 pound jack she caught last weekend. She was trolling a ballyhoo in 20 to 25 feet of water on her way back into the St. Lucie Inlet. Sam Clifton caught and released a 39 inch snook. He was using a select shrimp. Wayne Wilson got into a school of redfish and managed to land a nice keeper. He was using a soft plastic bait and was fishing just after daylight.

CATCH OF THE WEEK goes to Rodney and Karen Smith for the 8lb. 6oz. granddaughter -- Devinee Elisabeth Widrig. She was born on February 7th. This is their first grandchild.

If you would like to report a catch you can call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com. You can also reach me on the web at Indian River Lagoon Fishing Guide - Capt. Joe Ward

Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters