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Fishing Report for Ft. Pierce, Florida
Capt. Joe Ward
July 7, 2004
Fort Pierce - Saltwater Fishing Report
July 8, 2004
INSHORE - There has been a lot of inshore action along the Treasure Coast. Most of it has been from daylight until about 8:00am or just before dark. The trout have been all over the river, just find the schools of small baits around the Spoil Islands and you will find the trout mixed in with snook and redfish. Top water baits seems to be working the best and after it gets hot try a pigfish and fish it in the deeper water.
There has been good catch and release snook action around both the Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlets. Most of the bigger fish have been feeding on greenies and mullet fished close to the rocks. I got an e-mail from Chuck Proulx stating that he and his son, Charlie, were fishing the North Fork just south of Port St. Lucie Blvd. Bridge when Charlie caught and released a 20 pound snook. The fish was caught on a Catch 2000 top water plug.
If it is redfish you are looking for then try the docks along South Indian River Drive from the Midway Road area to the Jensen Beach Causeway area. Small live mullet or gold spoons are producing most of the catches.
All of the local bridges in Ft. Pierce and Stuart area are producing good catches of snapper, sheepshead and black drum. All of the fish are feeding on live shrimp. The flounder bite has been steady around the jetty's and on the flats to the south of the South Bridge in Ft. Pierce.
Everyone has been asking for reports on tripletail. The only thing I have had reported is that there are a few fish on the channel markers to the south of the Jensen Beach Causeway. The best bite has been in the middle of the day and the fish have been on the small side.
The tarpon are still active from first light until about 7:00am. There have been a few hookup's reported around the Big Mud Creek area. Not much was reported for the late afternoon bite.
OFFSHORE - The dolphin action has started to improve with more fish being reported this week. But the reports still have the fish scattered from 40 to 400 feet of water and not one hot spot reported.
The kingfish bite has been hot along the area's beaches from Vero Beach south to Stuart. Try area's like the Cove, Twin Condo's, Ocean Village and along the Six Mile Reef. I got an e-mail from Frank Eckles of Jupiter stating that he went out to 800 feet of water and saw nothing. He headed back into the Juno area to drift and in 84 feet and caught 3 kings that went from 15 to 20 pounds. The fish were caught on live baits and ballyhoo. He also caught a few snapper while bottom fishing.
There is a good number of cobia being caught around the bait pods with cobia to 50 pounds being reported. The reports on the sailfish are coming from the area south of the St. Lucie Inlet and starting in 80 feet of water.
Bottom fishing for snapper has been really good on both day and night trips. Try the reefs in 90 feet of water and along the Six and Eight Mile Reefs and the deeper wrecks. The grouper has been scattered but still getting reports of big fish from out deep.
TEEN ANGLERS - The local chapter of Teen Anglers will have a tournament on Sunday, July 11 at 7:00am at Jaycee Park for the Teen Angler of the Year. The teens competing in the event must have a 2.0 GPA and completed their online classes. They will have a cook out after the weigh in.
If you would like to report a catch call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters
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