SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

INSHORE - The fishing had improved some this week as the water color gets a little better. The best bite has been on the last of the incoming tide as the clear water from the ocean pushes in. The snook action has been good around the bridges during the first hour of the tide change. A live pigfish has been the best bait to use. There are still some snook being caught in the Ft. Pierce Inlet for anglers using a live bait like a mullet, pigfish or a pinfish. Reports have been about equal as far as drifting or anchoring up. The trout bite has been OK but, you have to find the pockets of clean water. Fish with a finger mullet or a live shrimp. Along the channel edges and around structure the bottom fishing has been steady for snapper, sheepshead and a few black drum. But, again wait for the clean water on the high tide and use a small love shrimp or a small greenie.

OFFSHORE - As the conditions improved this week the fishing was still a little on the slow side. There were several dolphin from 15 to 30 pounds coming from 350 feet of water when trolling a ballyhoo. The kingfish that were reported this week came from 70 to 90 feet of water -- around the Offshore Bar and most were caught on a live bait. There were also a few sailfish reported but the depth varied from 100 to 300 feet of water and most of the sails were caught on a ballyhoo. The bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks has also gotten better for snapper, grouper, AJ's and sea bass. Try a live bait. Along the beaches the bonita, spanish mackerel and sharks will keep you busy.

CENTRAL FLORIDA OFFSHORE FISHING CLUB - The CFOFC held their last offshore tournament of this year on Saturday -- September 13th out of the Dockside Inn. After the 6 to 8 foot seas on Friday we really wondered if they would have the tournament. The seas did lay down some and the tournament was on. They had an assortment of fish come into the scales, several dolphin, 2 big AJ's, several kingfish and a very small tuna. The dolphin were caught in 350 feet of water, the kings were from 25 to 180 feet of water and the AJ's were caught in 90 feet of water by the Offshore Bar.

1st place - Barry Hankinson - High Voltage - 30.7 pound dolphin
2nd place - Brian Boone - Reel Party - 24.1 pound kingfish
3rd place - Clark Conner - Bad Habits II - 7.5 pound kingfish
4th place - Missy Brown - Fish Tale - 7.0 pound kingfish

Clark Conner and Earl Barley each had a big AJ -- one was 28.6 pounds and the other was 28.7 pounds.

BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from Jeff Walk about his son Trevor -- age 6. They were fishing at Herman's Bay when Trevor caught and released a 27 inch snook. He was using a finger mullet. Between Jeff & Trevor they caught a total of 12 fish including the snook.

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