Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

[Captain Joe Ward]

May 18, 2006

INSHORE - The action on the flats has been good this week with lots of big trout being caught along the deeper edges of the flats when using top water baits. Look for the redfish in 1 to 2 feet of water and a soft plastic baits or a cut up ladyfish will do the trick. And for the snook -- which the season closes the end of the month -- try the bridges or in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and use a live mullet. Also, the snook are working their way onto the flats. Again, a top water bait is hard to beat. The snapper are making a little better showing this week along the channel edges and are feeding on live shrimp or small white baits. I did get one report of tripletail to the south of the power lines in Jensen Beach.

OFFSHORE - Everyone is looking for dolphin which have scattered some since last week. But, still a lot of fish are being reported in 140 to 200 feet of water when trolling ballyhoo. The bite was OK on Wednesday but the bite today was better with boats bringing in 5 to 10 dolphin per boat. Also, a good number of sailfish were reported this week in that same area. Look for the big smoker kings up along the beaches starting in 30 feet of water. There were a couple of reports of tarpon up oon the beaches too. The bottom fishing for snapper and grouper continues to improve over the wrecks and reefs.

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

Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters