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Fishing Report for Ft. Pierce, Florida
Capt. Joe Ward
August 10, 2004
Fort Pierce - Saltwater Fishing Report
August 11, 2004
INSHORE - With all the fresh water pouring into the river from Taylor Creek it has left the water looking like iced tea in most places. If you can find the pockets of clear water you will find some fish. Most of the trout reported this week came from the Bear Point area south to Middle Cove. The bite was early in the morning and on the high tide. Pigfish have been the number one live bait and a D.O.A. Glow Shrimp has been it for the artificial bait.
The catch and release snook action has been good at the area's spillways. The snook seems to be the only fish that didn't mind all the fresh water. Taylor Creek has been the best place with snook to 25 pounds being released. Top water baits like a Zara Spook or a Jumping Minnow are going to work just fine. Also, reports of good snook action in the St. Lucie Inlet for anglers fishing live baits on the out going tide. Just remember, snook season will be open on September 1st so handle the snook as little as possible and release them as quickly as you can.
There has been plenty of tarpon around but little action for the anglers. A few fish have been reported taking live mullet around the Inlets but the tarpon in the Intercoastal have been picky and not eating.
There was a lot of nice size snapper being caught along the channel edges of the Intercoastal. Just remember, find some kind of structure and you will find these fish. Try using a live shrimp and make sure you fish it on the bottom. Also, small white baits have been getting their share of snapper. Still a handful of flounder being caught from the area's bridges along with snapper and sheepshead and in Martin County they also have been getting black drum and a few croakers.
In the surf the whiting bite has been steady on the falling tide all along the Treasure Coast. Fresh dead shrimp or sandfleas will be your best bet.
OFFSHORE - Nothing much to write about for most anglers unless you want to talk about all the bonita and cuda's that have been everywhere and are hitting just about any kind of baits.
Lady luck was smiling down on a few anglers as they caught dolphin in 110 to 135 feet of water to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and also off the Loran Tower out of the St. Lucie Inlet. Scott Norris and Roger Walker went out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and caught 3 dolphin to 15 pounds in 120 feet of water on ballyhoo and 2 kings to 10 pounds in 50 feet of water.
I did get reports of cobia to 60 pounds cruising in 50 feet of water around all the bait pods. Still a good number of kingfish between the Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlets. Try 40 to 70 feet of water and slow troll a live bait. Most of the sailfish action has been from the 12-A Buoy south. Several big wahoo came in this week from 185 to 240 feet of water for anglers that were high speed trolling a red and black skirted, rigged mullet on a down rigger which was set between 50 to 70 feet.
Bottom fishing has also been on the slow side for most but some boats reported good snapper action. The most action seemed to come from the South out of the St. Lucie Inlet where reports of better water conditions and temperatures. Try the Six and Eight Mile Reefs with sardines. Keep your eyes open for a cobia to pop up where you are bottom fishing.
SNOOK TOURNAMENT - On September 4, 2004, the U.S. Coast Guard in Ft. Pierce will host a snook fishing tournament. Entry fees are $25.00 per angler until August 27th. A $5.00 late fee will be charged after that. The price of your entry fee will also include a BBQ Pig Roast Dinner. Prizes are 1st place -- $300.00, 2nd -- $200.00 and 3rd -- $100.00. Anglers will start fishing at 6:00am and weigh in will end at 3:00pm. Each boat will be eligible to weigh in 2 legal snook. The money will got toward the U.S. Coast Guard Moral Fund. For more info you can call the event manager - Jeff Center at 772-216-4298. Come out and show your support for the Coast Guard.
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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