February 6, 2009
INSHORE - The weather this week has not been good for fishing but, I did manage to get in two charters. On Tuesday I had Gil and his father-in-law Jim on the boat. They meet me at the dock and I gave them a choice between the wind on Tuesday or the old temps on Thursday. They chose to go on Tuesday. We were very limited to the places we could fish so we tucked up in the Turning Basin. It was a good place to be. We caught the usual fish -- jacks, bluefish and a pair of flounder. The biggest flounder was 4 pounds. We were using live shrimp fished on the bottom.
On Wednesday I had Dr. Lyman and his two associates on the boat with me. I tried to get them to cancel due to the temps in the low 30's but they said it would be good for me to go out. We again tried a few places but ended up in the Turning Basin and it was the place to be. They caught and released 4 snook to 9 pounds and 2 goliath grouper to 6 pounds. They did keep 2 sheepshead, 1 snapper and 2 croakers. We were using live shrimp again and fishing on the bottom. Dr. Lyman did tell me that in all the years he has been fishing with me he has never see me in jeans and shoes - my usual is shorts and flip flops.
The winter residents at the Dockside Inn haven't even been fishing out on the docks. They are usually out there 5 or 6 hours day depending on the tides.
OFFSHORE - Nothing to report due to the wind, cold water temps and the high seas.
TEEN ANGLERS - The next inshore tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers will be held on Sunday -- February 22nd at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. There is a mandatory meeting on Saturday -- February 21st. If you would like to be a boat volunteer or want more info on Teen Anglers for the 12 to 18 age group or on Junior Teen Anglers for the 5 to 11 age group you can just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org or call 772-201-5773. Junior Teen Anglers and Teen Anglers are a not for profit organization and everything is done by donations or by volunteers.
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