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Photo courtesy of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park’s half-mile stretch of white sand is not just
another sunny Florida beach. During World War II, it was the
birthplace and training ground for U.S. Navy Frogmen, forerunners
of today’s Navy Seals. Here, many of the 140,000 personnel stationed
in the area practiced for the D-Day invasion of Europe. “Dynamite
Point” earned its name from the activities of the Navy Underwater
Demolition Team. The park, located in St. Lucie County, consists of
two separate sections. The smaller part, the state park, borders the
north shore of Ft. Pierce Inlet and fronts on the Atlantic Ocean. The
other part is the larger Jack Island Preserve, which is 1.5 miles north
of the park. Together, they offer not just history, but a chance to
discover eight biological communities typical of the barrier islands
that line Florida’s east coast.
Ft. Pierce’s military connection dates back further than World War
II. It was named for the U.S. Army fort built in 1838 during the
Second Seminole War by Lt. Col. Benjamin Pierce. The fort was
reached from the ocean through the old Indian River Inlet, a natural
waterway located just northeast of Jack Island. When this inlet
closed in the early 1900s, a man-made inlet was cut at its present
location in Ft. Pierce.
another sunny Florida beach. During World War II, it was the
birthplace and training ground for U.S. Navy Frogmen, forerunners
of today’s Navy Seals. Here, many of the 140,000 personnel stationed
in the area practiced for the D-Day invasion of Europe. “Dynamite
Point” earned its name from the activities of the Navy Underwater
Demolition Team. The park, located in St. Lucie County, consists of
two separate sections. The smaller part, the state park, borders the
north shore of Ft. Pierce Inlet and fronts on the Atlantic Ocean. The
other part is the larger Jack Island Preserve, which is 1.5 miles north
of the park. Together, they offer not just history, but a chance to
discover eight biological communities typical of the barrier islands
that line Florida’s east coast.
Ft. Pierce’s military connection dates back further than World War
II. It was named for the U.S. Army fort built in 1838 during the
Second Seminole War by Lt. Col. Benjamin Pierce. The fort was
reached from the ocean through the old Indian River Inlet, a natural
waterway located just northeast of Jack Island. When this inlet
closed in the early 1900s, a man-made inlet was cut at its present
location in Ft. Pierce.
Fort Pierce Inlet
| www.fishbrevard.com |
Information courtesy of the Florida Park Service.
Fort Pierce Inlet Fishing Report Archives
Fort Pierce - Jan 25, 2007 by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - Inshore fishing has been a little slow this week but, if you worked hard
there were fish to be caught. Look for the trout in 3 to 5 feet of water. The best
action this week has been at mid morning and at places like Bear Point and the area
around Blind Creek to the South and to the North it has been just north of the
Moorings Flats. Try a live shrimp fished under a popping cork. I did get a few
reports of redfish along the docks on South Indian River Drive. The catch and
release snook bite has been steady in the Ft. Pierce Inlet when using greenies or
live shrimp. Remember that snook season is still closed for a few more days. The
bottom fishing around the local bridges has been productive for sandperch,
sheepshead, black drum, and a few flounder. The spanish mackerel, bluefish and
jacks are working their way around the river and the bite should get better with the
colder weather.
OFFSHORE - Once again the sea conditions haven't been that good this week for
the smaller boats. But, the bigger boats are reporting some sailfish action to the
south of the St. Lucie Inlet in 120 to 140 feet of water. There are still some
scattered dolphin around in 150 to 200 feet of water and I did get several reports of
wahoo being caught in that same area. Look for the kingfish action in the 70 to 90
foot range and a live bait should work just fine. The bottom fishing for snapper and
grouper has been steady over the reefs and wrecks. It's that time of the year for
spanish mackerel and bluefish to school along the beaches.
Fort Pierce - Capt. Joe Ward - Jan 18, 2007
INSHORE - The weather this week hasn't been perfect for fishing unless you fished
on Tuesday which was beautiful. I have been getting good reports of catch and
release snook around both the North and South Bridges and along the lighted docks
in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most anglers have been using small baits like a small greenie,
a small pinfish and even small live shrimp. The trout action has also been good for
schoolie size trout when fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water. Both live and artificial baits
have been producing fish. If you are looking for sheepshead -- just find some
structure and bring plenty of bait. The flounder bite continues to be good but a lot
of the fish being caught are small. Only a handful of keeper size flounder were
reported. And, as usual there are plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and
ladyfish to keep anglers busy.
OFFSHORE - Not many nice days this past week but when the boats are getting out
the fishing has been good. The best sailfish action seems to be to the South and
starting in 120 to 140 feet of water. The dolphin have been scattered in that same
area with a few fish to 30 pounds being reported. I did have reports from one boat
with 2 nice size wahoo caught in 400 feet of water on Tuesday. Look around the 70
to 90 foot range for the kingfish. And, bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks is
still on the slow side. There are plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish along the
local beaches.
Fort Pierce area - by Capt. Joe Ward, Dec 28, 2006
INSHORE - The weather has been the major factor for the inshore anglers --
during the times when the wind lays down the fishing for catch and release
trout and redfish has been good. The docks along South Indian River Drive
has been hard to beat. There has been some catch and release snook in
that same area. Talking about the catch and release snook -- the docks
along the Ft. Pierce Inlet at night has been the hottest spot to fish. If you go
there try free lining a live shrimp. I did get reports of some pompano in 3 to 5
feet of water to the south of the power lines and they were caught on the
falling tide by anglers using sand fleas. The local bridges are holding some
nice size black drum, lots of under size grouper, sheepshead, snapper as
well as some keeper sandperch. Remember -- trout season is closed until
January 1st.
OFFSHORE - Again, the sea conditions have been changing day to day but
on the good days look for sailfish to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they
will be starting in about 90 feet of water. The kingfish have been showing up
in 60 to 90 feet of water and hitting a live bait that is slow trolled. If it is
dolphin you are looking for the best reports are coming from 250 plus feet of
water and most of the fish have been in the 7 to 9 pound range. Along the
beaches in 20 to 30 feet of water there is plenty of spanish mackerel and
bluefish hitting small spoons slow trolled or by casting the spoon -- just find
the birds and the fish aren't far away. The bottom fishing has been OK on the
calmer days for snapper, grouper, seabass and other bottom fish. The best
bite seems to be to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet over the wrecks and reefs.
Fort Pierce area, by Capt. Joe Ward, Dec, 14, 2006
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good this week if you didn't mind
fishing in the wind. Lots of reports of catch and release trout being caught in
the deeper holes and channels like the Moorings channel, Harbor Branch and
at Big Mud Creek. Live shrimp has been one of the best choices. With
snook season closing on the 15th the local anglers have been putting their
time in around the Turning Basin, the Inlet and the bridges and they have
been reporting some pretty good catches. The best bite has been in the Inlet
at the tide changes. I only had a few redfish reported in the Queen's Cove
area and the were feeding on the falling tide. The sheepshead are moving
into the river now with good numbers being caught from the bridges. Also,
good reports of sandperch, croakers and black drum from the bridges. Along
the channel edges of the Intercoastal look for a lot of jacks, ladyfish, small
snapper and a few black drum with all of them feeding on live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - Most of the week the sea conditions were only good for the
bigger boats and they reported sailfish, again to the north of the Ft. Pierce
Inlet. The bite has been starting in 80 feet of water but, along with the sails
you had to put up with the cuda's, sharks and the kingfish. Most of the
kingfish reported were in 50 to 70 feet of water and taking a slow trolled live
bait if you could find them. The easy option was a live mullet caught inshore
before leaving the docks. Also, I have been getting reports of some nice
blackfin tuna in the 25 pound range. The tuna were out about 130 to 170 feet
of water. The bottom fishing has been tough because of the sea conditions
but still a few reports of snapper and grouper coming from the wrecks and
reefs.
Fort Pierce Area - Nov 30, 2006, by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing this week has been good if you were brave
enough to fish in the rain and wind. There were a couple of mornings that it
wasn't that bad. On Tuesday my charter caught and released all the big trout
we could handle. We were using a live shrimp and free lining it. Trout
season remains closed in November and December. The croakers provided
us with plenty of action on Sunday and Monday. Both trips we had a mixed
bag of croakers, snapper, sheepshead and flounder. The snook action is still
steady around the bridges at night and on the out going tide. It has been
good in the Ft. Pierce Inlet both day and night as long as you were fishing the
tide change. Also, we had a few big redfish reported coming from the Inlet.
Two of the reds were in the top of the slot. The mangrove snapper and
sheepshead are very active around the bridges and most any structure you
can find and also a good number of sandperch are there too.
OFFSHORE - The seas have been fairly big this past week but the bigger
boats have been out and looking for the sails. The most fish have been
reported to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 90 to 150 feet of water. Most of
the sails were caught on naked ballyhoo. The dolphin bite has been slow due
to the weather conditions but a few were reported. The dolphin were in 150
to 300 feet of water and most were under 20 pounds. The kings have been in
60 feet of water and feeding on live baits. The Spanish mackerel and
bluefish have been hanging out in about 30 feet of water and there is a good
number of them in each school. Also, plenty of jacks and sharks to keep you
busy.
Fort Pierce Area, Nov 26, 2006, by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good even with the cold temps and
the wind. The snook action has been good around both the North and South
Bridges at night at the beginning of the our going tide. A live pinfish or a
hand pick shrimp have been the way to go. I did get a report of an over the
slot snook caught on a Flair Hawk in the Turning Basin. The catch and
release trout have been in the deeper holes along the flats. Early in the
morning use a top water bait and then as the day heats up switch to a shrimp
fished under a popping cork. There are still a good number of small snapper
along the channel edges and a small live shrimp has worked the best. If you
just want to have fun and catch fish -- there has been school after school of
jacks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and in the river. The Spanish mackerel and
croakers are showing up but not in great numbers yet. The flounder bite has
been steady on the sandy flats and bars along the Intracoastal. A finger
mullet or a live shrimp on a Trol-rite hook has worked the best.
OFFSHORE - When the seas were a little calmer the boats that did go out
caught fish. The dolphin have been scattered in 120 to 300 feet and the
biggest fish we have had come into the docks went 25 pounds -- most were
15 pounds or under. A few cobia have been caught in 90 foot of water on the
Offshore Bar. The sailfish bite has been to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in
100 to 160 feet of water. Most of the fish were caught on naked ballyhoo.
The kingfish bite has been in 30 to 60 feet of water and a live blue runner or a
ribbonfish has produced the most fish. The bottom fishing has been OK on
the days that you could get out. We had a few 10 pound snapper come into
the docks and a few nice size grouper.
Fort Pierce Area - By Capt. Joe Ward, Nov 17, 2006
INSHORE - The inshore action has been good this week with plenty of
flounder being reported coming from the sand bars along the Ft. Pierce
Inlet. A live finger mullet or a live shrimp has been the best option. Around
the bridges look for a good sheepshead, black drum and snapper bite. A live
shrimp has been the way to go. The croakers and weakfish are starting to
show up. Try the Turning Basin as most of the fish reported have come from
there. The Ft. Pierce Inlet is full of jacks, spanish mackerel and bluefish. Try
trolling a small Clark spoon. The snook fishing remains slow with only a few
fish reported coming from around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the North
Bridges. Both places have been the most productive after dark.
OFFSHORE - There has been a few good days this week with almost no
wind and the fishing has been a pleasure. The sailfish bite has started but,
still not in full swing. Most reports were about fish in 120 to 150 feet of water
and to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. With all the S.K.A. boats in town this
week for the Nationals everyone is looking for kingfish. My guess would be to
try 70 to 90 feet of water over the patch reefs. Slow trolling a ribbonfish or a
blue runner is the way to go. Still Plenty of reports of scattered dolphin in 70
to 160 feet of water. Plenty of small sharks and cudas to keep you busy. As
the water clears the bottom fishing for snapper and grouper over the reefs
and wrecks will be on the rise. Good luck to all the S.K.A. teams!
Fort Pierce - November 8, 2006 - By Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing this week has been tough to say the least.
The strong winds have kept most anglers at home. But, as the wind lays
down look for the water to start clearing up and for lots of action from the
snook. The best places will be around the local bridges and in the Ft. Pierce
Inlet. The croakers, sheepshead and weakfish will be in the deeper holes of
the Intercoastal. But for now the only reports are that there is plenty of jacks in
the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Also, a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel mixed in. A
few snook have been reported coming from the lighted docks along the
Intercoastal. A few sandperch, black drum and a flounder or two have been
reported coming from around the local bridges. Remember that trout is catch
and release until the end of December.
Fort Pierce - Nov 1, 2006 - By Capt. Jim Ward
INSHORE - With all the wind, rain and dirty water the inshore fishing has
been a little on the slow side but, I have been getting reports of scattered trout
to the South from around Bear Point south to the Power lines. And to the
North around the Moorings Flats. Just a reminder that trout season is closed
in November and December. There are still a few redfish being reported
around the docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the North Bridge after
dark. They have been feeding in live baits. The flounder bite has been good
one day and off the next. But, when the bite is on try around the bridges and
the sand bar's in the river and use a live finger mullet or a large live shrimp.
The snapper bite is still going good along the channel edges and around the
local bridges. Along with the snapper around the bridges there has been a
fairly good sheepshead bite when fishing from the catwalks of the local
bridges. Live shrimp seems to be the best bait to use. Also, there has been
plenty of jacks, ladyfish and gaff top catfish mixed in. I have had a few reports
of croakers working their way into the river.
OFFSHORE - The ocean has been sloppy with only a few big boats trying
with only a few fish to report. The handful of dolphin that were caught came
from 160 to 180 feet of water and were caught on naked ballyhoo. A few
kings were reported in 60 to 90 feet of water and they were taking a live blue
runner. I did get a couple of reports of sailfish to the north of the Ft. Pierce
Inlet in 100 to 125 feet of water. Also, still plenty of small blackfin tuna around
-- most were in the 2 to 5 pound range. The bottom fishing over the reefs and
wrecks has been slow for seabass, lane snapper, small mangrove snapper
and grouper. There has been plenty of sharks in that same area.
Fort Pierce Oct 25, 2006 - by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing was starting to turn around as the water was slowly
clearing up, the bait was here and the weather was good. That lasted over the
weekend then the wind came along with the cold front. But, over the weekend the
fishing was good with plenty of snapper in the 1 to 2 pound range and they were
being caught on live sliver jenny's or a live shrimp if you were fishing along the
channel edges or around the local bridges. The bridges are also holding some
black drum, flounder and small grouper with a few Goliath grouper in the mix for fun.
The snook fishing remains steady but a little on the slow side. Most of the fish
reported are coming from the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the outgoing tide and live baits have
been the way to go. If you can find a place out of the wind and some clean water
you should find the trout and redfish. The best place this week has been from
Round Island down to Queen's Cove.
OFFSHORE - The fishing over the weekend was good with a good number of
dolphin reported along a rip in about 150 feet of water. Most of the dolphin were in
the 15 pound range but we did have 2 that went 25 pounds come into the docks at
the Dockside Inn & Resort. There were good reports of kingfish in the 60 to 90 foot
range and they were feeding on live blue runners. I did have reports of a lot of
sailfish to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet -- about 15 miles and they were in 180 to
225 feet of water with hook ups and free jumpers. The bottom fishing was also good
for sea bass, snapper and grouper but the reports were also about a lot of sharks.
The blackfin tuna bite has been good with most of the fish under 5 pounds. Along
the beaches look for spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and a few tarpon.
Fort Pierce - Jan 25, 2007 by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - Inshore fishing has been a little slow this week but, if you worked hard
there were fish to be caught. Look for the trout in 3 to 5 feet of water. The best
action this week has been at mid morning and at places like Bear Point and the area
around Blind Creek to the South and to the North it has been just north of the
Moorings Flats. Try a live shrimp fished under a popping cork. I did get a few
reports of redfish along the docks on South Indian River Drive. The catch and
release snook bite has been steady in the Ft. Pierce Inlet when using greenies or
live shrimp. Remember that snook season is still closed for a few more days. The
bottom fishing around the local bridges has been productive for sandperch,
sheepshead, black drum, and a few flounder. The spanish mackerel, bluefish and
jacks are working their way around the river and the bite should get better with the
colder weather.
OFFSHORE - Once again the sea conditions haven't been that good this week for
the smaller boats. But, the bigger boats are reporting some sailfish action to the
south of the St. Lucie Inlet in 120 to 140 feet of water. There are still some
scattered dolphin around in 150 to 200 feet of water and I did get several reports of
wahoo being caught in that same area. Look for the kingfish action in the 70 to 90
foot range and a live bait should work just fine. The bottom fishing for snapper and
grouper has been steady over the reefs and wrecks. It's that time of the year for
spanish mackerel and bluefish to school along the beaches.
Fort Pierce - Capt. Joe Ward - Jan 18, 2007
INSHORE - The weather this week hasn't been perfect for fishing unless you fished
on Tuesday which was beautiful. I have been getting good reports of catch and
release snook around both the North and South Bridges and along the lighted docks
in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most anglers have been using small baits like a small greenie,
a small pinfish and even small live shrimp. The trout action has also been good for
schoolie size trout when fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water. Both live and artificial baits
have been producing fish. If you are looking for sheepshead -- just find some
structure and bring plenty of bait. The flounder bite continues to be good but a lot
of the fish being caught are small. Only a handful of keeper size flounder were
reported. And, as usual there are plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and
ladyfish to keep anglers busy.
OFFSHORE - Not many nice days this past week but when the boats are getting out
the fishing has been good. The best sailfish action seems to be to the South and
starting in 120 to 140 feet of water. The dolphin have been scattered in that same
area with a few fish to 30 pounds being reported. I did have reports from one boat
with 2 nice size wahoo caught in 400 feet of water on Tuesday. Look around the 70
to 90 foot range for the kingfish. And, bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks is
still on the slow side. There are plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish along the
local beaches.
Fort Pierce area - by Capt. Joe Ward, Dec 28, 2006
INSHORE - The weather has been the major factor for the inshore anglers --
during the times when the wind lays down the fishing for catch and release
trout and redfish has been good. The docks along South Indian River Drive
has been hard to beat. There has been some catch and release snook in
that same area. Talking about the catch and release snook -- the docks
along the Ft. Pierce Inlet at night has been the hottest spot to fish. If you go
there try free lining a live shrimp. I did get reports of some pompano in 3 to 5
feet of water to the south of the power lines and they were caught on the
falling tide by anglers using sand fleas. The local bridges are holding some
nice size black drum, lots of under size grouper, sheepshead, snapper as
well as some keeper sandperch. Remember -- trout season is closed until
January 1st.
OFFSHORE - Again, the sea conditions have been changing day to day but
on the good days look for sailfish to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they
will be starting in about 90 feet of water. The kingfish have been showing up
in 60 to 90 feet of water and hitting a live bait that is slow trolled. If it is
dolphin you are looking for the best reports are coming from 250 plus feet of
water and most of the fish have been in the 7 to 9 pound range. Along the
beaches in 20 to 30 feet of water there is plenty of spanish mackerel and
bluefish hitting small spoons slow trolled or by casting the spoon -- just find
the birds and the fish aren't far away. The bottom fishing has been OK on the
calmer days for snapper, grouper, seabass and other bottom fish. The best
bite seems to be to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet over the wrecks and reefs.
Fort Pierce area, by Capt. Joe Ward, Dec, 14, 2006
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good this week if you didn't mind
fishing in the wind. Lots of reports of catch and release trout being caught in
the deeper holes and channels like the Moorings channel, Harbor Branch and
at Big Mud Creek. Live shrimp has been one of the best choices. With
snook season closing on the 15th the local anglers have been putting their
time in around the Turning Basin, the Inlet and the bridges and they have
been reporting some pretty good catches. The best bite has been in the Inlet
at the tide changes. I only had a few redfish reported in the Queen's Cove
area and the were feeding on the falling tide. The sheepshead are moving
into the river now with good numbers being caught from the bridges. Also,
good reports of sandperch, croakers and black drum from the bridges. Along
the channel edges of the Intercoastal look for a lot of jacks, ladyfish, small
snapper and a few black drum with all of them feeding on live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - Most of the week the sea conditions were only good for the
bigger boats and they reported sailfish, again to the north of the Ft. Pierce
Inlet. The bite has been starting in 80 feet of water but, along with the sails
you had to put up with the cuda's, sharks and the kingfish. Most of the
kingfish reported were in 50 to 70 feet of water and taking a slow trolled live
bait if you could find them. The easy option was a live mullet caught inshore
before leaving the docks. Also, I have been getting reports of some nice
blackfin tuna in the 25 pound range. The tuna were out about 130 to 170 feet
of water. The bottom fishing has been tough because of the sea conditions
but still a few reports of snapper and grouper coming from the wrecks and
reefs.
Fort Pierce Area - Nov 30, 2006, by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing this week has been good if you were brave
enough to fish in the rain and wind. There were a couple of mornings that it
wasn't that bad. On Tuesday my charter caught and released all the big trout
we could handle. We were using a live shrimp and free lining it. Trout
season remains closed in November and December. The croakers provided
us with plenty of action on Sunday and Monday. Both trips we had a mixed
bag of croakers, snapper, sheepshead and flounder. The snook action is still
steady around the bridges at night and on the out going tide. It has been
good in the Ft. Pierce Inlet both day and night as long as you were fishing the
tide change. Also, we had a few big redfish reported coming from the Inlet.
Two of the reds were in the top of the slot. The mangrove snapper and
sheepshead are very active around the bridges and most any structure you
can find and also a good number of sandperch are there too.
OFFSHORE - The seas have been fairly big this past week but the bigger
boats have been out and looking for the sails. The most fish have been
reported to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 90 to 150 feet of water. Most of
the sails were caught on naked ballyhoo. The dolphin bite has been slow due
to the weather conditions but a few were reported. The dolphin were in 150
to 300 feet of water and most were under 20 pounds. The kings have been in
60 feet of water and feeding on live baits. The Spanish mackerel and
bluefish have been hanging out in about 30 feet of water and there is a good
number of them in each school. Also, plenty of jacks and sharks to keep you
busy.
Fort Pierce Area, Nov 26, 2006, by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good even with the cold temps and
the wind. The snook action has been good around both the North and South
Bridges at night at the beginning of the our going tide. A live pinfish or a
hand pick shrimp have been the way to go. I did get a report of an over the
slot snook caught on a Flair Hawk in the Turning Basin. The catch and
release trout have been in the deeper holes along the flats. Early in the
morning use a top water bait and then as the day heats up switch to a shrimp
fished under a popping cork. There are still a good number of small snapper
along the channel edges and a small live shrimp has worked the best. If you
just want to have fun and catch fish -- there has been school after school of
jacks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and in the river. The Spanish mackerel and
croakers are showing up but not in great numbers yet. The flounder bite has
been steady on the sandy flats and bars along the Intracoastal. A finger
mullet or a live shrimp on a Trol-rite hook has worked the best.
OFFSHORE - When the seas were a little calmer the boats that did go out
caught fish. The dolphin have been scattered in 120 to 300 feet and the
biggest fish we have had come into the docks went 25 pounds -- most were
15 pounds or under. A few cobia have been caught in 90 foot of water on the
Offshore Bar. The sailfish bite has been to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in
100 to 160 feet of water. Most of the fish were caught on naked ballyhoo.
The kingfish bite has been in 30 to 60 feet of water and a live blue runner or a
ribbonfish has produced the most fish. The bottom fishing has been OK on
the days that you could get out. We had a few 10 pound snapper come into
the docks and a few nice size grouper.
Fort Pierce Area - By Capt. Joe Ward, Nov 17, 2006
INSHORE - The inshore action has been good this week with plenty of
flounder being reported coming from the sand bars along the Ft. Pierce
Inlet. A live finger mullet or a live shrimp has been the best option. Around
the bridges look for a good sheepshead, black drum and snapper bite. A live
shrimp has been the way to go. The croakers and weakfish are starting to
show up. Try the Turning Basin as most of the fish reported have come from
there. The Ft. Pierce Inlet is full of jacks, spanish mackerel and bluefish. Try
trolling a small Clark spoon. The snook fishing remains slow with only a few
fish reported coming from around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the North
Bridges. Both places have been the most productive after dark.
OFFSHORE - There has been a few good days this week with almost no
wind and the fishing has been a pleasure. The sailfish bite has started but,
still not in full swing. Most reports were about fish in 120 to 150 feet of water
and to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. With all the S.K.A. boats in town this
week for the Nationals everyone is looking for kingfish. My guess would be to
try 70 to 90 feet of water over the patch reefs. Slow trolling a ribbonfish or a
blue runner is the way to go. Still Plenty of reports of scattered dolphin in 70
to 160 feet of water. Plenty of small sharks and cudas to keep you busy. As
the water clears the bottom fishing for snapper and grouper over the reefs
and wrecks will be on the rise. Good luck to all the S.K.A. teams!
Fort Pierce - November 8, 2006 - By Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing this week has been tough to say the least.
The strong winds have kept most anglers at home. But, as the wind lays
down look for the water to start clearing up and for lots of action from the
snook. The best places will be around the local bridges and in the Ft. Pierce
Inlet. The croakers, sheepshead and weakfish will be in the deeper holes of
the Intercoastal. But for now the only reports are that there is plenty of jacks in
the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Also, a few bluefish and Spanish mackerel mixed in. A
few snook have been reported coming from the lighted docks along the
Intercoastal. A few sandperch, black drum and a flounder or two have been
reported coming from around the local bridges. Remember that trout is catch
and release until the end of December.
Fort Pierce - Nov 1, 2006 - By Capt. Jim Ward
INSHORE - With all the wind, rain and dirty water the inshore fishing has
been a little on the slow side but, I have been getting reports of scattered trout
to the South from around Bear Point south to the Power lines. And to the
North around the Moorings Flats. Just a reminder that trout season is closed
in November and December. There are still a few redfish being reported
around the docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the North Bridge after
dark. They have been feeding in live baits. The flounder bite has been good
one day and off the next. But, when the bite is on try around the bridges and
the sand bar's in the river and use a live finger mullet or a large live shrimp.
The snapper bite is still going good along the channel edges and around the
local bridges. Along with the snapper around the bridges there has been a
fairly good sheepshead bite when fishing from the catwalks of the local
bridges. Live shrimp seems to be the best bait to use. Also, there has been
plenty of jacks, ladyfish and gaff top catfish mixed in. I have had a few reports
of croakers working their way into the river.
OFFSHORE - The ocean has been sloppy with only a few big boats trying
with only a few fish to report. The handful of dolphin that were caught came
from 160 to 180 feet of water and were caught on naked ballyhoo. A few
kings were reported in 60 to 90 feet of water and they were taking a live blue
runner. I did get a couple of reports of sailfish to the north of the Ft. Pierce
Inlet in 100 to 125 feet of water. Also, still plenty of small blackfin tuna around
-- most were in the 2 to 5 pound range. The bottom fishing over the reefs and
wrecks has been slow for seabass, lane snapper, small mangrove snapper
and grouper. There has been plenty of sharks in that same area.
Fort Pierce Oct 25, 2006 - by Capt. Joe Ward
INSHORE - The inshore fishing was starting to turn around as the water was slowly
clearing up, the bait was here and the weather was good. That lasted over the
weekend then the wind came along with the cold front. But, over the weekend the
fishing was good with plenty of snapper in the 1 to 2 pound range and they were
being caught on live sliver jenny's or a live shrimp if you were fishing along the
channel edges or around the local bridges. The bridges are also holding some
black drum, flounder and small grouper with a few Goliath grouper in the mix for fun.
The snook fishing remains steady but a little on the slow side. Most of the fish
reported are coming from the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the outgoing tide and live baits have
been the way to go. If you can find a place out of the wind and some clean water
you should find the trout and redfish. The best place this week has been from
Round Island down to Queen's Cove.
OFFSHORE - The fishing over the weekend was good with a good number of
dolphin reported along a rip in about 150 feet of water. Most of the dolphin were in
the 15 pound range but we did have 2 that went 25 pounds come into the docks at
the Dockside Inn & Resort. There were good reports of kingfish in the 60 to 90 foot
range and they were feeding on live blue runners. I did have reports of a lot of
sailfish to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet -- about 15 miles and they were in 180 to
225 feet of water with hook ups and free jumpers. The bottom fishing was also good
for sea bass, snapper and grouper but the reports were also about a lot of sharks.
The blackfin tuna bite has been good with most of the fish under 5 pounds. Along
the beaches look for spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and a few tarpon.
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