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Fishing Report for Ft. Pierce, Florida
Capt. Joe Ward
May 25, 2004
Fort Pierce - Saltwater Fishing Report
May 26, 2004
INSHORE - Even with the wind slowing down the inshore fishing is still on the slow side. With the snook season coming to a close on Monday, May 31st, at midnight everyone is trying to stock up on the linesiders but the fish are cooperating that well. Most of the fish reported this week are coming from both the Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlets during the daylight hours and from around the bridges after dark. A few smaller snook were caught and released at the Turning Basin. Live greenies or mullet are the baits of choice with large live shrimp coming in second.
The trout have been scattered but are feeding on live shrimp or finger mullet early in the morning in 2 to 4 feet of water. Most of the reports are coming from south in the river from Bear Point all the way to the Jensen Beach Causeway and both sides of the river have been producing fish. The trout fishing to the North in the river has been slow but the redfish action has made up the difference with some big redfish reported along the docks of St. Lucie Village and just south of Round Island. Daylight or just before dark has been the time to fish and a small live baits are hard to beat. Remember that being quite is the ticket to a successful redfishing trip.
The snapper are starting to work their way into the Intercoastal and have been feeding on big, live shrimp or frozen squid. Lots of reports this week of big black drum around the bridges up and down the Treasure Coast. Most of the big black drum are being caught by snook fishermen at night.
OFFSHORE - Everyone is looking for dolphin and most are finding them. Lots of action is in as close as 55 feet of water and out to 140 feet. These seems to be the magic numbers for anglers trolling small ballyhoo with a green and yellow or pink and white skirts. I got several reports of wahoo coming from 100 foot range to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. I also had a nice blackfin tuna reported in 85 feet of water. There is plenty of kingfish action from 30 feet all the way to the Offshore Bar in 90 feet out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and along the Six Mile Reef out of the St. Lucie Inlet.
Bottom fishing has picked up since the sea conditions calming down. The snapper were to 15 pounds and the grouper were to 25 pounds. These fish were being taken from over the reefs and wrecks. Big schools of spanish mackerel and jacks have been cruising the area's beaches making for some light tackle fun. Just look for the birds and you will find the fish. I did get several reports of tarpon showing up around the Inlets just after dark but they are still being shy about feeding.
Got an e-mail from Walter Gassner about the Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club's Annual Offshore Trolling Contest. Three fish in the mid 20 pound range helped Mike Knapp, John Sebold and Walter win the tournament while fishing from Gassner's boat - Moonlighter. They have a blackfin tuna in 150 feet, a kingfish in 350 feet and a bull dolphin in 350 feet. All were caught with a traditionally trolled ballyhoo except the tuna that was caught on Sebold's old rusty top water wooden plug.
Got an e-mail from Frank Eckles of Jupiter/Tequesta area stating that on Saturday when he caught a 200 - plus pound Goliath Grouper that ate a 15 pound jack as he was bring him in. Frank went out of the Jupiter Inlet on Tuesday and caught a bonita in 140 feet, a blackfin tuna in 325 feet and a 18 pound cow dolphin in about 400 feet off Hobe Sound that took a green/yellow skirted ballyhoo.
If you would like to report a catch, call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also contact me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters
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