JANUARY 16, 2009
INSHORE - The inshore fishing this week has been a challenge with the cold temps and the north wind. Most of the action that was reported came from anglers fishing in the middle of the day when things had warmed up a little. The trout were in the deeper holes and cuts at places like Pete Stone Creek , the Dredge Holes to the south of Bear Point and in the Mooring's channel. A live shrimp fished on a jig head was the best way to go. There is still plenty of snapper, sheepshead and black drum around the local bridges and along the channel edges. Again, a live shrimp will do the job. The catch and release snook action has slowed with only a few reports coming in from anglers fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet with a live mullet.
OFFSHORE - The offshore conditions have been a little sloppy but, I did get good reports of sailfish action coming from the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and the bite started in 100 feet of water. Look for the dolphin and blackfin tuna in 140 to 180 feet of water and they were feeding on naked ballyhoo. Bottom fishing at Bethel Shoals has been providing some nice catches of snapper and grouper and most were caught on cut baits. And, this is the time of year for plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the local beaches.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - Last Saturday was the from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers. It turned out to be a nice morning and plenty of fish were caught and released.
5 to 8 age group
1st place - Savannah Ward - age 8 - Lawnwood Elem. - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Carrie Loupe - age 8 - St. Lucie Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Andrew Evans - age 7 - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
9 to 11 age group
1st place - Jeffrey Garrett - age 11 - Olso Middle - Vero Beach
2nd place - Richard Henson - age 9 - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - D.J. Markowski - age 11 - Lakewood Park - Elem. - Ft. Pierce
Biggest Fish of the Tournament -- Jeffrey Garrett - age 11 - Olso Middle - Vero Beach
For more info on Junior Teen Anglers or Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
BRAGGING BOARD - Last Friday I had Capt. Chop & Ray on the boat with me. All Ray wanted to do was catch a few snapper. Between them they did catch a limit of mangrove snapper and had plenty of fillets to take home. Jim Doyle, Wayne Wilson & Bob Weinfurener also caught a limit of snapper on Tuesday. They also had a mix of sheepshead, black drum, spanish mackerel and released 2 small snook. They were fishing with live shrimp.
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
