Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

[Captain Joe Ward]

August 1, 2006

INSHORE - There has been plenty of snapper action around the channel edges for anglers fishing with live shrimp or small greenies. There have been snapper to 2 & 1/2 pounds being reported. The trout bite has also been good on the flats and around the docks along Indian River Drive at first light. Trout to 8 pounds have been reports this week. A live pigfish or a D.O.A. shrimp have been catching the most fish. Look for the redfish along the edge of the flats on the low tides and they will be feeding on shrimp or small crabs. Try places like the docks along Indian River Drive or the flats at Queen's Cove. The catch and release snook action has been good along the Ft. Pierce Inlet when using live baits fished on the bottom. For the artificial's try a D.O.A. Terror Eyez and fish it slow around the bridges. Also, some nice size flounder around the local bridges in Ft. Pierce.

OFFSHORE - Fishing has been a little on the slow side for bottom fish but there has been plenty of bonita, sharks and cuda's. The water temps on the bottom have been cold but, depending on where you are the bite has been OK with mangrove snapper to 8 pounds and plenty of sea bass. When you are bottom fishing look for a cobia or two to pop up. I did have reports of a few scattered dolphin to 20 pounds in 140 to 180 feet of water. The kingfish bite has been good when fishing in 60 to 100 feet of water. At the Boils look for catch and release snook, big jacks and shark to provide most of the action. There are still a good number of big tarpon along the beaches early in the morning or just before dark.

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

Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters