DECEMBER 14, 2006
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good this week if you didn't mind fishing in the wind. Lots of reports of catch and release trout being caught in the deeper holes and channels like the Moorings channel, Harbor Branch and at Big Mud Creek. Live shrimp has been one of the best choices. With snook season closing on the 15th the local anglers have been putting their time in around the Turning Basin, the Inlet and the bridges and they have been reporting some pretty good catches. The best bite has been in the Inlet at the tide changes. I only had a few redfish reported in the Queen's Cove area and the were feeding on the falling tide. The sheepshead are moving into the river now with good numbers being caught from the bridges. Also, good reports of sandperch, croakers and black drum from the bridges. Along the channel edges of the Intercoastal look for a lot of jacks, ladyfish, small snapper and a few black drum with all of them feeding on live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - Most of the week the sea conditions were only good for the bigger boats and they reported sailfish, again to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The bite has been starting in 80 feet of water but, along with the sails you had to put up with the cuda's, sharks and the kingfish. Most of the kingfish reported were in 50 to 70 feet of water and taking a slow trolled live bait if you could find them. The easy option was a live mullet caught inshore before leaving the docks. Also, I have been getting reports of some nice blackfin tuna in the 25 pound range. The tuna were out about 130 to 170 feet of water. The bottom fishing has been tough because of the sea conditions but still a few reports of snapper and grouper coming from the wrecks and reefs.
TEEN ANGLERS - The local chapter of Teen Angler will hold their monthly inshore fishing tournament this Sunday -- December 17th at Jaycee park in Ft. Pierce. The teens are awarded trophies in the middle school and high school division. If you would like more info on Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org. Also, we can always use a volunteer with a boat to take these teens fishing.
If you would like to report a catch you can 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