September 25, 2008

INSHORE - The inshore fishing had started to improve with a steady trout bite along the edges of the flats. Most of the fish reported were from 1 to 5 pounds and caught on soft plastic baits. I did get reports of several trout over 5 pounds and they were caught around the Pete Stone Creek area on a live finger mullet and just before dark. The redfish are still around the docks along both North and South Indian River Drive. A live finger mullet or a crab are the baits of choice. The snook have been hit or miss depending on where you were fishing. Most of the slot size fish that I had reports on were coming from the North Bridge or from the Ft. Pierce Inlet and fish the tide changes. With all the finger mullet working their way into the Ft. Pierce Inlet they have been the best bait to use. For the bottom fishing along the Intercoastal and around the bridges look for snapper, sheepshead and black drum feeding a live shrimp.

OFFSHORE - The offshore fishing was starting to improve until Wednesday when he NE winds were blowing 20 to 25 knots making the offshore fishing not an option. But, over the weekend I had reports of scattered dolphin to 30 pounds from 300 to 500 feet of water and they were taking a ballyhoo with a pink/white skirt. There are still some kings being reported in 50 to 70 feet of water and they were taking live baits or a ribbonfish that was slow trolled. And, as always for those who were trolling there were plenty of bonita, cuda's and sharks taking just about anything you could troll. The bottom fishing had also gotten better for snapper, sea bass, triggerfish and a handful of grouper. Try the reefs to the north in 20 to 90 feet of water and a live bait or cut bait will work. There are still a few tarpon being reported along the beaches and they are following the schools of mullet.

TEEN ANGLERS - The local chapter of Teen Anglers started their 9th season this past Sunday with an inshore tournament. There plenty of fish caught but not a lot of them were on the fish list.

In the Middle School Division
1st place - Austin Doyle - St. Andrews -Ft. Pierce - redfish
2nd place - Micah Begelman - Jackson Heights Middle - Oviedo- sheepshead
3rd place - Helen Kinchen - Stuart Middle - Stuart - black drum

In the High School Division
1st place - Chad Merrill - Centennial High - Port St. Lucie - snapper
2nd place - Tyler Moyher - Lincoln Park Academy - Ft. Pierce - snapper
3rd place - David Brasher - Vero Beach High - Vero Beach - snapper

Biggest fish of the tournament went to Austin Doyle for his 5lb. 13oz redfish.

The next inshore tournament will be held on Sunday -- October 19th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce If you would like more info on joining Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org

BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from Rob Gluckman about his fishing trip on Sunday -- September 21st. He stated that Steve Sanderson, Robert Szika and myself caught 4 dolphin to 20 lbs and a 10 lb Wahoo while fishing aboard my boat M'Ocean to Strike. We caught them between 395 and 425 feet of water just north of Jupiter. We caught them on naked ballyhoo skipping on the surface.

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