FEBRUARY 8, 2008
INSHORE - The snook fishing has been on the slow side with most of the fish reported this week coming from the flats along the Indian River Drive from around the docks there. Most of the fish were on the short side 18 to 23 inches. The only slot size fish reported to me this week came from the Ft. Pierce Inlet and was caught on a live pinfish on the out going tide. The trout bite has also been a little slow but, a few big fish in the 6 to 7 pound class were reported up around the Mooring's and caught on finger mullet -- which have been few and far between right now. There are still plenty of sheepshead around just about any structure you can find. Try a small live shrimp or a fiddler crab. The black drum bite has been steady for anglers fishing around the local bridges.
OFFSHORE - Not a lot of reports this week with all the wind and not the best of sea conditions for the smaller boats. But, on the good days the first part of the week the reports were of dolphin to 25 pounds being caught in 140 feet of water and several nice wahoo over 40 pounds and also some sailfish in the same area. The only thing there was plenty of was the bonita -- but they are hard fighters. The kingfish bite has been steady in 85 feet of water and a live bait has been the way to go. The bottom fishing on the reefs from 30 to 90 feet has been producing good catches of mixed snapper, black sea bass, triggerfish and a few keeper size grouper. Lots of spanish mackerel, pompano, jacks and bluefish along the local beaches.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - This Saturday -- February 9th will be the regular scheduled from shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers. The Juniors will fish from 9am until 11am and then we will award trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the 5 to 8 age group and also in the 9 to 11 age group. There is a also a trophy for the biggest fish of the tournament. For more info on Junior Teen Anglers or for the 12 to 18 age group -- Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org.
BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from James Bevan stating that he went out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet on Sunday and that the seas were beautiful but the fishing was slow. He has one sail come into the spread in 120 feet of water due east of the Inlet.
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com.
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters