MARCH 12, 2009
INSHORE - There has been a lot of action this week starting with loads of spanish mackerel and bluefish. These fish have been around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and in the Turning Basin. All you need is something shinny or any kind of live bait. The sheepshead bite has also been red hot around just about any structure you could fish. A live shrimp has been hard to beat. The trout fishing has also improved with most reports coming from the south -- from down around Herman's Bay to Little Mud Creek. A soft plastic baits and a live shrimp have been taking most of the fish. I did get reports of a few redfish to the north of Queen's Cove but, they weren't eating much. The snook action has been steady around the local bridges, docks and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. A live shrimp seems to be the best bait this week.
OFFSHORE - There has been a lot of action along the beaches this week with spanish mackerel and bluefish everywhere and they have been hitting just about anything you can throw at them. Also, along the shallow reefs in 15 to 30 feet of water the reports have been good for snapper, sheepshead and black drum. Try using a live shrimp. Out deeper -- the kingfish bite continues to be in 60 to 80 feet of water and hitting on spoons or a live bait. I had reports of scattered dolphin all week and the were coming from 160 to 240 feet of water and they were taking ballyhoo. Over the deeper reefs and wrecks look for a good snapper bite and a few grouper and aj's and they all will be taking live baits.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - On Saturday -- March 7th the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers held their from shore fishing tournament. There were 17 Juniors fishing and they caught and released 27 fish.
In the 5 to 8 age group
1st place - Savannah Ward - age 8 - Lawnwood Elem. - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Andrew Evans - age 7 - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Mackenzie Tessier - age 6 - Imagine Schools of Vero Beach - Vero Beach
In the 9 to 11 age group
1st place - Robert Santos - age 10 - Samuel S. Gaines - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Cory Arnold - age 11 - Oslo Middle School - Vero Beach
3rd place - Jeffery Garrett - age 11 - Oslo Middle School - Vero Beach
The biggest fish of the tournament went to Savannah Ward for her 1lb. 8oz. bluefish.
Their next from shore tournament will be held on Saturday -- May 2nd at 9:00am at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. For more info go to the web at www.teenanglers.org or call 772-201-5773.
BRAGGING BOARD - On Tuesday Wayne Wilson, Jim Flynn, Jim Dole & Bob Weinfergarter caught all the bluefish they wanted then went on to catch some really nice sheepshead and black drum. They had several sheepshead that were 5 pounds and also a black drum that was 5 pounds. They were using live shrimp. On Saturday I had the Lyons from Minnesota on my boat. They caught and released so many bluefish and spanish mackerel that their arms were tired. They also had a limit of sheepshead and a few snapper. On Monday I had Mr. & Mrs. Jim Pierce on the boat. They also caught and released all the bluefish and spanish mackerel they could stand to catch. They also released a 15 pound snook.
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
