Ft. Pierce Inshore -Offshore Report

[Captain Joe Ward]

November 1, 2006

INSHORE - With all the wind, rain and dirty water the inshore fishing has been a little on the slow side but, I have been getting reports of scattered trout to the South from around Bear Point south to the Power lines. And to the North around the Moorings Flats. Just a reminder that trout season is closed in November and December. There are still a few redfish being reported around the docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the North Bridge after dark. They have been feeding in live baits. The flounder bite has been good one day and off the next. But, when the bite is on try around the bridges and the sand bar's in the river and use a live finger mullet or a large live shrimp. The snapper bite is still going good along the channel edges and around the local bridges. Along with the snapper around the bridges there has been a fairly good sheepshead bite when fishing from the catwalks of the local bridges. Live shrimp seems to be the best bait to use. Also, there has been plenty of jacks, ladyfish and gaff top catfish mixed in. I have had a few reports of croakers working their way into the river.

OFFSHORE - The ocean has been sloppy with only a few big boats trying with only a few fish to report. The handful of dolphin that were caught came from 160 to 180 feet of water and were caught on naked ballyhoo. A few kings were reported in 60 to 90 feet of water and they were taking a live blue runner. I did get a couple of reports of sailfish to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 100 to 125 feet of water. Also, still plenty of small blackfin tuna around -- most were in the 2 to 5 pound range. The bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks has been slow for seabass, lane snapper, small mangrove snapper and grouper. There has been plenty of sharks in that same area.

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