INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good this week with plenty of snapper along the channel edges. The snapper have been feeding on live shrimp or small greenies. The snapper have been feeding better when the tide is running faster. I have gotten a lot of reports about the catch and release snook action in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The best bite has been on the falling tide when using a live pinfish, pigfish or a mullet. Up on the flats a top water bait like a Top Dog or a Zara Spook has been the way to go. The redfish bite remains steady along the shallow flats and around the mangroves at Round Island. The trout action at night around just about any lighted dock has been great -- just free line a live shrimp or a greenie around the edge of the light and hold on. There is still a lot of tarpon rolling around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and both to the north and south in the Intercoastal. The bad news is that only a few hook-up's have been reported. The best bait to use seems to be a live mullet.
OFFSHORE - With the water temps still cold on the bottom the snapper and grouper bite has slowed down but there are still reports of a few nice fish coming from the Northeast Grounds. Look for some nice cobia around the buoys as well as plenty of cuda's, bonita and sharks. The best kingfish action seems to be just north of the 12-A Buoy when slow trolling a live bait. If it is dolphin you are looking for then try trolling a ballyhoo in 140 to 180 feet of water to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The tarpon are on the beach up around the Vero Cove and are feeding on live mullet, greenies or spanish sardines. 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