September 21, 2007
INSHORE - There has been plenty of bait fish around and this has made fishing very interesting with not knowing what you might hook around the bait schools. There has been a good number of schools of finger mullet to add to the mix. There has been everything form snook, trout, redfish, to jacks and ladyfish and even a fair number of sharks. The snook bite around the bridges and the Ft. Pierce Inlet has been steady but, anglers are having trouble finding that slot size fish. Most of the snook are being caught on pinfish, mullet or a live shrimp. But, a Redtail Hawk will also work. The Taylor Creek Spillway is flowing and a few short snook have been reported up there. Most of the fish at the spillway have been caught on artificial baits. The trout action has been good again around the schools of bait that are up on the flats. Try a live shrimp fished under a popping cork in 3 to 4 feet of water. Still plenty of snapper, under size grouper, sheepshead and black drum. being caught. The bottom fishing along the channel edges and around the area bridges has been good and the bait of choice has been a live shrimp. A few anglers have been reporting catch and releasing goliath grouper in the Turning Basin. Harry Pugsley caught and released one on Tuesday morning that was estimated at 50 pounds.
OFFSHORE - The fishing offshore this past week has been tough due to the sea conditions. But, the one's that did venture out had a few reports of scattered dolphin starting in 140 feet of water. Still a good number of kingfish action just inside the 90 foot bar when slow trolling a live bait. And, I did get reports of a few wahoo and sailfish being caught in 100 to 200 feet of water to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most of the fish reported were caught on ballyhoo. Before the sea conditions changed the snapper fishing was really good in 50 to 90 feet of water when using a live bait or a piece of cut bait. The bite has been better at night.
TEEN ANGLERS - The monthly inshore fishing tournament for the local chapter of Teen Anglers will be held this Sunday -- September 23rd at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. Teen Anglers is for the 12 to 18 age group. If you would like more info just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org. You can also call 772-201-5773.
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or you can 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
