Fishing Reports by Captain Joe Ward
About The Author: Captain
Company: Captain Joe Wards River Charters
Area Reporting: Indian River Lagoon
Bio: Capt. Joe has been fishing the waters of the Indian River since he was 6 years old. When his father first took him snook fishing on the old wooden bridges using nothing more than a Calcutta pole, 100 pound mono and a big mullet attached to a 6/0 hook. Capt. Joes first snook wasn't that big, about 10 pounds, but after a 5 minute fight his father helped him flip the snook up onto the bridge and that is when Capt. Joe knew he was hooked on snook fishing. Capt. Joe is a U.S.C.G. licensed Captain as well as a MET registered Captain.
772-461-1335
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (12/14/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward
[Fort Pierce,FL] Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward
Inshore fishing steady and sailfish are scattered offshore. (12/06/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing steady and sailfish are scattered offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing steady and sailfish are scattered offshore.
Inshore the bite has been steady and everyone looking for sailfish offshore. (11/30/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore the bite has been steady and everyone looking for sailfish offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore the bite has been steady and everyone looking for sailfish offshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (11/22/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore bite steady and everyone looking for sailfish offshore
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore bite steady and everyone looking for sailfish offshore
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (11/15/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fished steady and offshore still sloopy but bite picking up.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fished steady and offshore still sloopy but bite picking up.
The water inshore is still dirty and the sea are big offshore. (11/09/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The water inshore is still dirty and the sea are big offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The water inshore is still dirty and the sea are big offshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (11/02/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Tropical storm Noel keeps anglers at the docks.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Tropical storm Noel keeps anglers at the docks.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore report by Capt. Joe Ward (10/25/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing still a little slow but the bottom fishing offshore is picking up.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing still a little slow but the bottom fishing offshore is picking up.
There is not a lot to report this week with the N.E. winds at 15 to 25mph (10/18/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Ft. Pierce Inshore Report -- No Offshore Report.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Ft. Pierce Inshore Report -- No Offshore Report.
The inshore fishing remains steady and the offshore bite is improving. (10/12/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The inshore has improved some this week with the wind finally calming down. Still looking for the slot size snook but they have been hard to come by. The sea conditions are getting better but still running 3 to 4 feet.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The inshore has improved some this week with the wind finally calming down. Still looking for the slot size snook but they have been hard to come by. The sea conditions are getting better but still running 3 to 4 feet.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (10/04/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore was fishable for 3 days and nothing offshore
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore was fishable for 3 days and nothing offshore
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (9/28/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward.
Slot Sized Snook Are Hard To Find (9/21/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite remains steady and slot size snook are hard to find.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite remains steady and slot size snook are hard to find.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (9/13/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing is good and now that the seas have calmed down the offshore bite is getting better.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing is good and now that the seas have calmed down the offshore bite is getting better.
Dolphin Bite Picked Up Offshore (9/06/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Snook bite slow inshore and dolphin bite picked up offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Snook bite slow inshore and dolphin bite picked up offshore.
Trout Inshore - Kingfish Bite Offshore (8/31/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout and snapper bite still strong inshore and kingfish bite offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout and snapper bite still strong inshore and kingfish bite offshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (8/23/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout and snapper bite remains good while the offshore bite slows due to the weather.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout and snapper bite remains good while the offshore bite slows due to the weather.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Fishing Report (8/16/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still hot inshore and kings hot offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still hot inshore and kings hot offshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore report by Capt. Joe Ward (8/09/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore bite has slowed a little and offshore bite for snapper and kings strong.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore bite has slowed a little and offshore bite for snapper and kings strong.
Trout Bite Strong - Dolphin Bite Slowed Down (8/03/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout bite is still going strong and offshore the dolphin bite has slowed down.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout bite is still going strong and offshore the dolphin bite has slowed down.
Gator Trout Fishing (7/28/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The inshore fishing for gator trout has been good and the kings are hot offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The inshore fishing for gator trout has been good and the kings are hot offshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (7/19/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout and snapper bite is still strong and the dolphin bite has slowed way down.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout and snapper bite is still strong and the dolphin bite has slowed way down.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (7/12/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout bite is still hot inshore and the snapper and kingfish bite is hot offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The trout bite is still hot inshore and the snapper and kingfish bite is hot offshore.
Snapper Bite Has Been Hot (7/05/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still strong inshore and offshore the snapper bite has been hot.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still strong inshore and offshore the snapper bite has been hot.
Inshore Fishing Slow and Offshore Bite Steady (6/28/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing a little slow and offshore bite steady.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing a little slow and offshore bite steady.
Offshore Kings and Dolphin Are Hot (6/21/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore the trout bite is hot and offshore the kings and dolphin are hot.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore the trout bite is hot and offshore the kings and dolphin are hot.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (6/14/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Offshore the dolphin and kingfish bite is hot. Inshore it is trout and redfish.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Offshore the dolphin and kingfish bite is hot. Inshore it is trout and redfish.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (6/10/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The dolphin bite has been strong. Plenty of kingfish.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The dolphin bite has been strong. Plenty of kingfish.
Inshore the trout bite has been good (5/31/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore the trout bite has been good and offshore if you can handle the seas you will catch dolphin.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore the trout bite has been good and offshore if you can handle the seas you will catch dolphin.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (5/25/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Snook and trout fishing steady but high winds keep anglers inshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Snook and trout fishing steady but high winds keep anglers inshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshoe Report (5/17/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Wind keeping most anglers inshore. Trout bite good when you could get out of the wind
[Fort Pierce,FL] Wind keeping most anglers inshore. Trout bite good when you could get out of the wind
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (5/12/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Since the winds have layed down the fishing is getting better.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Since the winds have layed down the fishing is getting better.
IRL & Offshore Ft. Pierce Fishing (5/04/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] trout bite still hot inshore and dolphin bite going strong offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] trout bite still hot inshore and dolphin bite going strong offshore.
Trout Bite Hot Inshore (4/27/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The wind has been keeping a few offshore boats at home. Trout bite hot inshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The wind has been keeping a few offshore boats at home. Trout bite hot inshore.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (4/20/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still strong inshore - dolphin and kings offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still strong inshore - dolphin and kings offshore.
Trout Inshore and Kingfish Offshore (4/12/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still hot inshore and kingfish bite hot offshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still hot inshore and kingfish bite hot offshore.
Red Hot Trout Bite and Dolphin Bite Improving (4/05/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Red hot trout bite inshore & dolphin bite improving offshore. The inshore fishing has gotten better and better as the week has gone on. But, if this cold front does move in -- who knows what will take place. The trout bite has been red hot for anglers fishing to the south in the river at places like Bear Point, Little Mud Creek and the flats just north of the Jensen Beach Causeway.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Red hot trout bite inshore & dolphin bite improving offshore. The inshore fishing has gotten better and better as the week has gone on. But, if this cold front does move in -- who knows what will take place. The trout bite has been red hot for anglers fishing to the south in the river at places like Bear Point, Little Mud Creek and the flats just north of the Jensen Beach Causeway.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (3/29/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still strong even with all the wind. he trout have been hanging out in 2 to 3 feet of water. A soft plastic bait or a top water plug has been the way to go. The snapper, sheepshead and black drum are still around the bridges and any other structure you can find. A small live shrimp has been working good for these fish.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Trout bite still strong even with all the wind. he trout have been hanging out in 2 to 3 feet of water. A soft plastic bait or a top water plug has been the way to go. The snapper, sheepshead and black drum are still around the bridges and any other structure you can find. A small live shrimp has been working good for these fish.
High Winds but Still Got The Trout (3/22/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Even with the wind we caught a good number of trout this week.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Even with the wind we caught a good number of trout this week.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward (3/16/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing remains steady dispite the wind. Offshore fishing on & off.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Inshore fishing remains steady dispite the wind. Offshore fishing on & off.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (3/08/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Cobia bite still strong offshore. Snook and sheepshead inshore.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Cobia bite still strong offshore. Snook and sheepshead inshore.
Cobia Moving in Ft Pierce (3/01/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Cobia moving in. 63 pounder caught on Monday. The offshore fishing has been good on the days you could get out. There were several big cobia reported in 40 to 60 feet of water. Most of them were caught on a feather.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Cobia moving in. 63 pounder caught on Monday. The offshore fishing has been good on the days you could get out. There were several big cobia reported in 40 to 60 feet of water. Most of them were caught on a feather.
Big Snook Inshore Ft. Pierce (2/23/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Big snook inshore and offshore is getting better. The snook bite around the local bridges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet has been steady. The one problem has been that the fish were either over the slot or under the slot. I only got a few reports of keepers. A Red Tail Hawk has been hard to beat this week with pinfish and select shrimp a close second.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Big snook inshore and offshore is getting better. The snook bite around the local bridges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet has been steady. The one problem has been that the fish were either over the slot or under the slot. I only got a few reports of keepers. A Red Tail Hawk has been hard to beat this week with pinfish and select shrimp a close second.
Big Snook In The Turning Basin (2/15/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Wind has made fishing tricky. Big snook in the Turning Basin. 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.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Wind has made fishing tricky. Big snook in the Turning Basin. 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.
Teen Anglers Inshore Fishing Tournament (2/08/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The local chapter of Teen Anglers will hold their monthly inshore fishing tournament on Sunday, February 18th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. The teens will fish from 6:45am until noon. They will receive trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the middle and high school divisions. Teen Anglers is for the 12 to 18 age group and if you would like to join or want more info just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
[Fort Pierce,FL] The local chapter of Teen Anglers will hold their monthly inshore fishing tournament on Sunday, February 18th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. The teens will fish from 6:45am until noon. They will receive trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the middle and high school divisions. Teen Anglers is for the 12 to 18 age group and if you would like to join or want more info just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report (2/01/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The inshore fishing has been good this week in areas out of the wind. The big news this week is the opening of snook season. I got good reports of fish being caught around the bridges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Anglers reported that they were using everything from live shrimp to a Red Tail hawk.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The inshore fishing has been good this week in areas out of the wind. The big news this week is the opening of snook season. I got good reports of fish being caught around the bridges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Anglers reported that they were using everything from live shrimp to a Red Tail hawk.
Shore Fishing Tournament For Junior Teen Anglers (1/25/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The next from shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers will be held on February 3rd at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. The Junior Teen's will fish from 9am until 11am.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The next from shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers will be held on February 3rd at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. The Junior Teen's will fish from 9am until 11am.
Sheepshead Are Everywhere! (1/18/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Sheepshead are everywhere and a good trout bite. The weather this week hasn't been perfect for fishing unless you fished on Tuesday which was beautiful. I have been getting good reports of catch and release snook around both the North and South Bridges and along the lighted docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most anglers have been using small baits like a small greenie, a small pinfish and even small live shrimp.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Sheepshead are everywhere and a good trout bite. The weather this week hasn't been perfect for fishing unless you fished on Tuesday which was beautiful. I have been getting good reports of catch and release snook around both the North and South Bridges and along the lighted docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most anglers have been using small baits like a small greenie, a small pinfish and even small live shrimp.
Sailfish Bite Is Picking Up Offshore Ft. Pierce (1/11/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] Still a strong trout bite inshore and sailfish bite picking up. Since the opening of trout season on January 1st there has been lots of good reports from both north and south in the river. To the South the bite has been from Bear Point down to Blind Creek and to the North it has been from the North Bridge to the Moorings Flats in Vero Beach. Try a live shrimp fished under a popping cork in 1 to 3 feet of water.
[Fort Pierce,FL] Still a strong trout bite inshore and sailfish bite picking up. Since the opening of trout season on January 1st there has been lots of good reports from both north and south in the river. To the South the bite has been from Bear Point down to Blind Creek and to the North it has been from the North Bridge to the Moorings Flats in Vero Beach. Try a live shrimp fished under a popping cork in 1 to 3 feet of water.
Opening Of Trout Season Fishing Report (1/04/2007)
[Fort Pierce,FL] The opening of trout season has been slow. The inshore reports have been slow coming in this past week. With the opening of trout season the best bite has been along the docks along North and South Indian River Drive. From dark to daylight try free lining a live shrimp. This has been working the best this past week. The redfish have pushed in close to the mangroves -- try using a soft plastic baits or a live shrimp.
[Fort Pierce,FL] The opening of trout season has been slow. The inshore reports have been slow coming in this past week. With the opening of trout season the best bite has been along the docks along North and South Indian River Drive. From dark to daylight try free lining a live shrimp. This has been working the best this past week. The redfish have pushed in close to the mangroves -- try using a soft plastic baits or a live shrimp.