Fishing Report for Ft. Pierce, Florida

May 6, 2005 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - Look for the spanish mackerel bite to slow down but the trout have already started their summer patterns. The redfish are still active around the spoil islands and the snook are making their way onto the flats. Along the channel edges look for lots of sheepshead and snapper. Offshore there has been kingfish in 30 to 50 feet of water. There were a fair number of dolphin reported in 250 feet of water out of the Sebastian Inlet. The bottom fishing is still good in 70 to 100 feet of water. ST. LUCIE COUNTY - The snook bite is picking up on the flats but most of the bigger fish are being taken from around the bridges and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Live baits have been the way to go. The redfish are still being caught along the docks at St. Lucie Village and around the Round Island area. There were some big trout reported on the West side of the river to the south of the South Bridge. The channel edges are holding some big snapper and plenty of sheepshead. Offshore look for dolphin to the southeast of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 200 to 300 feet of water. A few wahoo were reported in about the same area. The kingfish action has been in 70 to 90 feet of water as well as a few sails. Look for the bottom fishing to continue to improve as the weather gets better. MARTIN COUNTY - Good snook action has been reported around the bridges at night. The trout bite has been good with one of the hot spots being just north of the Jensen Beach Causeway on the East side of the river. There is still a lot o bottom fish being caught off the bridges. There has been a good number of big jacks and snook along the docks and seawalls in the St. Lucie River. Try using a live mullet. Offshore is about the same as the rest of the Treasure Coast with dolphin in 150 to 250 feet of water and kingfish in 50 to 70 feet. The wahoo and sailfish were a little closer in Martin County -- around 125 to 150 feet of water. The bottom fishing has been good along the Six & Eight Mile Reefs for snapper, grouper and seabass. OKEECHOBEE COUNTY - Still some reports of blue gills in the Rim Canal as well as the specks in the Kissimmee River. The best time for the specks has been at night. The bass fishing has been steady. Try places like Harney Pond or Horse Shoe Island and fish with live shiners. TEEN ANGLERS - The local chapter of Teen Anglers held their last inshore fishing tournament of the year last Sunday. In the high school division Alex Shaffer of Lincoln Park Academy took first place for his 3lb. 12oz. trout. Second place went to Taylor Purcell of Westwood High and third was Chad Painter also of Westwood. In the middle school division Vincent Serio of Forest Grove took first place and also biggest fish trophies for the tournament with his 4lb. 14oz. redfish. Second place went to Laura Hood of Lincoln Park. The Teen Angler of the Year the award for the 2004 - 2005 school year honors went to Alex Shaffer. Congrats to all the Teen Anglers. If you would like more info on Teen Anglers just go to the website at www.teenanglers.org. 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