May 8, 2008

INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been on the slow side all week. I started getting better reports on Wednesday with a pretty good trout bite coming from around the Midway Road area. Most of the trout reported were from 1 to 3 pounds and caught on top water baits or a soft plastic bait in the darker colors and you will need to fish them in 2 to 4 feet of water. I also got reports of some fairly good snook action up on the flats with a few slot size being caught but most of the fish were under the slot. Again, top water baits or a pinfish have been the baits of choice. There has been a lot of redfish sighted but only a few of them were eating. Try the docks along St. Lucie Village or around Jack Island and a chunk of ladyfish will be hard to beat. There are still some spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks around the Turning Basin and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they have been chasing small live baits.

OFFSHORE - The dolphin bite was red hot last Friday and Saturday with most anglers saying that they had their personal best on Friday. Most of the dolphin were in the 20 to 50 pound range but we did have one that was 53 pounds come in on Friday. Most of the action was in 110 to 140 feet of water and on Saturday a few nice fish did come from 250 feet. Most of the fish were caught on a naked ballyhoo and on Saturday there were a few caught on a ballyhoo with a blue/white Islander Lure. There were a good number of sailfish reported in 100 feet of water to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. There were only a few wahoo brought in and the anglers had to go to the deeper water to find them. On Saturday there was a strong kingfish bite in 40 to 60 feet of water and it has remained steady thru today. A live bait like a blue runner has been the way to go. I also got reports of some big tarpon along the beach from the Ft. Pierce Inlet north to the Vero Cove. The tarpon have been taking live baits. The bottom fishing has been steady over the reefs and wrecks for snapper. On Wednesday we had one boat come in with 8 snapper to 10 pounds and they were using both live and cut baits.

CENTRAL FLORIDA OFFSHORE FISHING CLUB - The CFOFC held their monthly offshore fishing tournament out of the Dockside Inn & Resort this past weekend. Some of the club members came in early on Friday and went offshore and were rewarded for their efforts. Barry & Jamie Hankinson came back with 4 nice size dolphin. On Saturday all of the club's boats went out and braved the 4 to 6 foot seas with an occasional 8 footer thrown in. One club member said it was "special" offshore on Saturday. The club had a good number of dolphin and a few kings. Kim Harrell had the only "Offshore Slam" for the club. Kim had a 24.1 pound dolphin, 19.4 pound wahoo and a 7.8 pound king. Club member - Alan Wilcox and crew had 13 dolphin and 4 kings on Saturday while fishing in 150 to 200 feet of water.

1st - High Voltage - Jamie Hankinson - 30.5 pound dolphin
2nd - Swamp Thing - Ryan Thomas - 30.4 pound dolphin
3rd - Afternoon Delight - Charlie Hughes - 28.4 dolphin
4th - Cuda Bait - Greg - 25.8 pound dolphin
5th - tie - Giddy Up - Bob McDonald - 24.1 pound king
Fish Tale - Kim Harrell - 24.1 pound dolphin
6th - Stock Options - Dave Tindell - 22.5 pound dolphin
7th - Hook-N-Up - Norman Bosley - 21.2 pound dolphin
8th - Buck Fin - Ryan Thorlton - 14.7 pound dolphin
9th - Bad Habits II - Wild Bill - 13.3 pound dolphin.

BRAGGING BOARD - On Tuesday afternoon Rob Ward caught and released a 140 pound tarpon at the Vero Cove. The tarpon took a big greenie. Early Sunday morning Bob Wittbold caught a 32 inch - 13lb. 11oz. snook at Bear Point. On Friday Bruce Dickins brought in a 53 pound dolphin and reported this was their best day ever. Along with Bruce -- Dan Winters, Todd Dingworth, Ricky Davis & Roger Jesse had another 12 dolphin from 25 to 38 pounds and 1 king. All of the fish were caught on naked ballyhoo in 120 feet of water. Also, on Friday David Yates on the Keep Dreaming along with Joe Gutherie, Mike Boraski, Lucky Devore, Bob Lee, Mike Nasco & Aflred Sainz reported their best day ever. David and crew had a 38, 34 and 6 more dolphin in the 20's. All of the fish were caught in 160 to 210 feet of water. Between Thursday, Friday and Saturday they also had 8 kings and 3 wahoo and several more dolphin. Bruce Dickins & crew and also David Yates & crew are all from the Golden Triangle Fishing Club.

TEEN ANGLER OF THE YEAR - This past Sunday we held the fish off for the Teen Angler of the Year. After all the fish were weighed and the points were totaled David Brasher was the winner. David attends school in Vero Beach at the Florida Learning Institute. In 2nd place was Tyler Serio of Lincoln Park Academy and in 3rd place was Dillon Roberts-Louria of Westwood High School. If you would like more info on joining Teen Anglers for the 12 to 18 age group or for the 5 to 11 age group -- Junior Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org.

If you would like to report a catch you can call me at e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or you can 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