May 15, 2008

INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been just about the same the last couple of weeks -- tuff fishing and windy conditions. Most of the snook action has come from around the lighted docks along the Ft. Pierce Inlet after dark. The top bait to use has been a mullet. I did get reports of a handful of trout in 2 to 4 pound range being caught down around Herman's Bay at first light on top water baits. To the north in the river the reports are of a few redfish and trout around Jack Island but, the bite has been slow. Along the channel edges expect to find snapper, grouper, jacks and ladyfish and spanish mackerel mixed in. Most of these fish can be caught on a live shrimp. I did get reports from several people that some small tarpon are showing up along the Intercoastal.

OFFSHORE - There has only been a few good days this week where the ocean was nice enough to get offshore. On those days the reports were of scattered dolphin in 85 to 115 feet of water and hitting on naked ballyhoo. There has been a steady kingfish bite but not as good as Friday and Saturday of last week. The kings were caught in 20 to 50 feet of water. In that same area I got reports of tarpon and they were taking greenie's or a mullet. Most of the tarpon have been in the 80 to 100 pond range. The snapper, grouper an seabass bite has been good over the wrecks and reefs. Most of the anglers were using cut bait. There is still some sailfish action to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in about 100 feet of water and they were hitting on ballyhoo.

BRAGGING BOARD - Our son - Rob Ward caught a 56.2 pound kingfish last Friday. This was a personal best for him. The king was caught on live bait. On Saturday our granddaughter - Savannah Ward - age 7 caught a 29 and a 27.8 pound kingfish on live baits while fishing with her dad - Rob Ward. Savannah's biggest king to date is a 32.9 pounder she caught last August. Debbie Petersen of Tampa caught a 39.75 pound dolphin last Friday. They were fishing out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 92 feet of water and using a naked ballyhoo.

If you would like to report a catch you can call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com.

Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters