FEBRUARY 13, 2009
INSHORE - There has been a lot of action this week with the wind changing direction and laying down some. Starting with the bottom fishing -- plenty of black drum, sheepshead, spanish mackerel, and a few croakers around the area bridges. Let's not forget the sand perch as they have been a main stay for the bridges anglers. All of these fish are taking both live and frozen shrimp. Look for plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks around the Turning Basin and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. A 1 to 1&1/2 ounce silver spoon will work the best. The trout action has also picked up both to the north and south in the river. Try using a soft plastic baits like a D.O.A. shrimp, flats candy or a C.A.L.bait. Don't forget the old stand by -- a live shrimp fished under a popping cork in 2 to 4 feet of water. Snook fishing has been on the slow side for slot size fish. I have been getting reports about a lot of over and under size snook being caught in the Turning Basin and around the local bridges on live baits.
OFFSHORE - The offshore conditions have not been ideal but I am getting reports of scattered dolphin in 140 to 200 feet of water and the fish were caught on ballyhoo. Want a kingfish? Try fishing in 60 to 90 feet of water just to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and troll a ribbonfish or slow troll a live blue runner. Look for the bottom action to remain steady for sea bass, sheepshead, triggerfish and a few snapper on the shallow reefs. Out deeper over the reefs and wrecks a few nice grouper have been reported. There are still plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish along the beaches. Also, a few pompano and a good number of whiting in the surf.
TEEN ANGLERS - The next inshore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers will be held next Sunday -- February 22nd at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. The Teen's will fish from 6:45am until noon and then we will award trophies. For more info on Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
BRAGGING BOARD - On Friday - Feb. 6th -- Jim Flynn, Dave Collingwood & Wayne Wilson had a great day of fishing. They caught a good number of nice sized black drum and croakers. They were using live shrimp. On Thursday of this week Carey Drake caught and released a nice 25 inch snook while fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. He was using hand picked 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
