Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

Capt. Joe Ward
May 15, 2009
Fort Pierce - Saltwater Fishing Report

MAY 15, 2009

INSHORE - There is still good snook action around the area bridges as well as in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most of the slot fish have been caught on live baits. On the flats the trout bite has slowed some since last week but, there are still reports of fish in the 2 to 4 pound range being caught down around the Midway Road area. Most of these fish were caught on white baits by anglers fishing the sand holes. The only redfish I heard about came from the docks along St. Lucie Village and were caught on soft plastic baits early in the morning. The snapper bite has improved along the channel edges to the north of the North Bridge but, it looks like another week before the bigger snapper arrive. Most of the snapper and the other bottom fish are eating live shrimp.

OFFSHORE - The offshore fishing has sowed way down this week for the dolphin anglers. Most of the dolphin reported were scattered from 300 to 1100 feet of water and taking ballyhoo. We did have two boats come in on Thursday afternoon and they each had 1 dolphin - 13 & 18 pounds and they were caught in 180 feet of water. The kingfish are still active in 30 to 7 feet of water and are taking live baits. I have also been getting a lot of reports about sailfish starting in 100 feet of water. We did have a few cobia come into the docks over the weekend with a 26 pounder being the biggest one. Most of the reports were that they are out there just very small. Bottom fishing has been steady for sea bass and triggerfish but a little slow for the snapper. Along the beaches look for tarpon and a lot of jacks and bluefish.

DOCKSIDE INN'S FISHING TOURNEYS - Last Saturday the Dockside Inn in Ft. Pierce held it's 1st Mother's Day Weekend of Fishing Tournament. Fishing was a little slow but everyone had a great time and are looking forward to next year.

DOCK FISHING TOURNAMENT
1st place -- biggest fish & most fish went to Ariel Vance -age 12 -- received a gift certificate for an inshore charter with Capt. Charlie Conner of Fishtales Charters of Port St. Lucie.

2nd place -- Lane Burton - age 12 -- received a gift certificate for an inshore charter with Capt. Joe Ward of Capt. Joe's River Charters located in Ft. Pierce.

3rd place -- Larry Miller - age 7 -- Rod & Reel combo from Billy Bones Bait & Tackle located in Port St. Lucie.

Each participant received a pack of Calcutta Baits from Billy Bones Bait & Tackle and a medal from the Dockside Inn. The medals were on a nice red, white & blue ribbon with a 2 inch medal that had WINNER on the front.

INSHORE TOURNAMENT - On the inshore tournament we had a total of five boats fishing but only two fish were weighed in and this resulted in a 2-way tie for 1st. Corey Fowler - age 13 - weighed in his trout and it was a nice 2lb. 4oz. fish. Jean Davis of the Lady Anglers of Brevard came to the scales next with a trout that was the identical twin of the one Corey had just weighed.

2-way tie -- Corey and Jean split the inshore prize money of $250.00 -- each receiving $125.00 and they each got a custom made gear bag made by Doug & April Carney - owners of Sunnyland Canvas located here in Ft. Pierce.

OFFSHORE TOURNAMENT - The offshore tournament had a total of eight boats fishing and four of the eight did weigh fish.

1st place - James Harris -- 20 lb. dolphin - $400.00
2nd place - Savannah Ward (age 8) - 18.13 lb. kingfish - $250.00
3rd place - Christopher King - 13 lb. dolphin - $150.00

Each winner in the offshore division received a gift certificate for a free night's stay at the Dockside Inn in a waterfront room valued at $155.00.

BRAGGING BOARD - Last Friday we had two anglers pull up to the docks looking for ice. They had gone offshore just to the north of the North Jetty and were a 1000 yards offshore and they caught a very nice 26 pound cobia. They only had light tackle for flats fishing and no gaff. Steve Forsythe of Vero Beach and his buddy Justin Klien of West Palm Beach caught the cobia on white baits that they bought on their way out the Inlet.

If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at [email protected] 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

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