FEBRUARY 19, 2009
INSHORE - The inshore fishing was good over the weekend and during the first part of the week -- before all the wind started. The best action has been from the sheepshead and black drum and they have been holding along the channel edges, around the docks and area bridges. The best baits have been live shrimp or small crabs. The trout fishing has been hit or miss but, try the area's around the deeper ends of the sandbars and along the grass flats and the key is fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water and use a live shrimp. The snook fishing has been steady with most of the fish reported being too big or to small. The keeper's that were reported came from anglers fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and using live baits.
OFFSHORE - Only a few days with good sea conditions this week. Reports of scattered dolphin in 180 to 250 feet of water and they were taking ballyhoo. The kingfish remain in 60 to 80 feet of water and are taking a slow trolled live bait or a trolling spoon. Along the beaches look for plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish. The shallower reefs in 15 to 30 feet of water have been producing plenty of sheepshead and black drum. The bottom fishing over the deeper wrecks and reefs have been producing some snapper, black sea bass and a few grouper.
TEEN ANGLERS - This Sunday -- February 22nd will be the next inshore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. The Teen's will meet at Jaycee Park and fish from 6:45am until noon. We will award trophies and prizes in the middle & high school divisions. If you would like to volunteer to take a Teen fishing or if you just want more info on joining Teen Anglers -- go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
BRAGGING BOARD - On Friday the 13th James Murray went on a charter with me along with his grandfather and uncle and he caught most of the fish. He caught and released 13 short grouper, a couple of sheepshead, a spanish mackerel and a 6lb. 2oz. black drum. Last Saturday Nancy LeRoy was on a charter with me and caught a 26 inch grouper. She and her friend -- Mike Hunyady also caught several nice sheepshead and snapper. We were using live shrimp. On Tuesday of this week I had Jim & Barbara Flynn and their daughter Cathy on the boat. They all caught a good number of sheepshead with several going over 3 pounds. Also, on Tuesday Dave Collingwood & Wayne Wilson caught their share of nice sheepshead. They were fishing to the south in the river and using 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
