Captain Joe's River Charters Fishing Report 4/10/09

[Laur0421]

INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good now that the strong winds have gone. There has been a lot of big trout feeding on white baits along the spoil islands to the north of the North Bridge. Most of the fish reported have been from 6 to 9 pounds. The redfish action has been on the slow side. Most of the fish that were reported came from the docks along St. Lucie Village and are being caught on gold spoons or soft plastic baits. Fish the shallow ends of the docks. The snook bite has been on and off until Thursday when it turned on. The best bite has been on the out going tide with live baits fished on the bottom. I got reports of several slot size snook being caught and a large number of over the slot being caught and released.

OFFSHORE - The sea conditions have not been great but on Wednesday they started to lay and the reports started coming in. The kingfish have been active in 30 to 40 feet of water and they are taking live baits. Also, along the beaches there has been plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish taking just about any kind of bait. I did get reports of scattered dolphin in 250 to 300 feet of water to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The dolphin have been taking both naked and skirted ballyhoo. I had a boat at Dockside Inn made a tuna run to the other side on Thursday and they had 5 tuna to 40 pounds and 2 dolphin to 20 pounds. All were caught on live baits.

TEEN ANGLERS - Last Sunday -- April 5th was the rescheduled inshore tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. The next inshore tournament will be held on Sunday -- April 19th at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce. If you would like more info on Teen Anglers or would like to be a volunteer just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org

In the High School Division
1st place - Dillon Roberts-Louria - Ft. Pierce - Westwood High - 3lb. 10oz. redfish
There was no 2nd or 3rd place.

In the Middle School Division
1st place - Maxwell Higgins - Port St. Lucie - Palm Pointe at Traditions - 2lb. 5oz. trout
2nd place - Branson Troska - Ft. Pierce - Lincoln Park Academy - 1lb. 15oz. bluefish
3rd place - Helen Kinchen - Stuart - Stuart Middle - 1lb. 14oz. trout

Biggest fish of the tournament trophy went to Dillon for his redfish.

BRAGGING BOARD - On Friday Bill Burrow's caught a 7lb. 30 inch trout. He was fishing the spoil islands to the north of the North Bridge. On Sunday Bill Lawson visiting here from Daytona and fishing on the REEL PURSUIT caught a nice 30 pound bull. He was fishing in 325 feet of water and using a ballyhoo. Also, on Sunday Jesse & Leslie Pfeiffer got into a school of kings. Jesse's king weighed 41 pounds and Leslie's weighed in at 32 pounds. They were fishing along the South Beach and using greenie's.
If you would like to report a catch, call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com.

Until next week, keep fishing.
Capt. Joe Ward
Inshore Fishing Guide

Captain Joe's River Charters
Fort Pierce, Florida
www.captjoeward.com