Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

MARCH 26, 2011 INSHORE - There has been a good trout bite at the favorite places like Harbor Branch, Queen's Cove, Bear Point and Herman's Bay. The top bait seems to be a live shrimp fished under a popping cork in 2 to 3 feet of water. There has also been a decent redfish bite along the mangroves at Queen's Cove and along the docks to the north of the North Bridge. Try a D.O.A. Glow Shrimp or a live shrimp. The catch and release snook action is still going strong around the lighted docks along the Ft. Pierce Inlet. A small mullet has been hard to beat. I am still getting reports of nice flounder being caught on a live shrimp in the Turning Basin and just south of the South Bridge. There is plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks working the Ft. Pierce Inlet and into the Turning Basin. Try a Gotcha jig for the best results. OFFSHORE - Not the best sea conditions this week but, on the better days I got reports of a good cobia bite in 40 to 60 feet of water. Try pitching a live bait or a Cobia Slayer jig at the fish. The kingfish bite remains steady to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 60 feet of water and a slow trolled live bait has been the way to go. Still a good number of reports about the dolphin -- they have been scattered from 110 feet of water out to about 250 feet of water. They have been taking both skirted and naked ballyhoo. The bottom fishing has been good but there has been a lot of cuda's and sharks and they will do their best to take your catch. Still plenty of bluefish and spanish mackerel along the beaches to keep you busy. JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - This coming Saturday - April 2nd is the next from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers. Junior Teen Anglers is for the 5 to 11 age group. There is no cost to join or fish a Junior Teen Anglers tournament. For more info call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org TEEN ANGLERS - Last Sunday - March 20th was the monthly inshore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. Teen Anglers is for the 12 to 18 age group. In the Middle School Division 1st - Brennen Tessier - Oslo Middle School - Vero Beach 2nd - Trace Meding - West Gate K-8 - Port St. Lucie 3rd - Chad Stanley - Hidden Oaks Middle - Palm City In the High School Division 1st - Shane Surrency - Lincoln Park Academy - Ft. Pierce 2nd - Taylor Meding - Centennial High - Port St. Lucie 3rd - Helen Kinchen - Port St. Lucie High - Port St. Lucie Biggest fish of the tournament trophy went to Shane Surrency. If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at [email protected] 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