Captain Joe's River Charters Fishing Report 4/23/09

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INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been good with a lot of snook action in the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the out going tide. A live bait fished on the bottom is the best pattern to use. However, mots of the snook have been over the slot. The trout bite has also been good for anglers fishing with pilchards up on the flats. Trout to 9 pounds have been reported this week. I did have a few reports about small redfish around the docks at St. Lucie Village. They were feeding on live shrimp or soft plastic baits. The snapper are starting to move along the channel edges and they have been feeding on live shrimp. The channel edges to the north of the North Bridge have been the most productive. The spanish mackerel and bluefish bite has slowed in the Turning Basin and they have moved out around the South Jetty and along the beaches.

OFFSHORE - The sea conditions have not been that great since last Saturday but are improving. On the good days I had reports of a good kingfish bite in 30 to 50 feet of water and they were taking live baits. The dolphin bite has been on the slow side this week but look for that to change. The bottom fishing has been steady in 15 to 90 feet of water over the reefs and wrecks -- again when using live baits.

TEEN ANGLERS - Sunday -- April 19th was the last inshore tournament of the school year for the Treasure Coast Teen Anglers. They caught a lot of fish but not too many that were on the fish list. There will be a fish off for the Teen Angler of the Year on Sunday -- May 3rd.

In the High School division
1st place - Pierce Holister - Westwood High - 2 lb. trout
There was no 2nd or 3rd place

In the Middle School division
1st place - Shane Surrency - Lincoln Park Academy - 2lb. 14oz. black drum
2nd place - Helen Kinchen - Stuart Middle - 2lb. black drum
3rd place - Branson Troska - Lincoln Park Academy - 1lb. 14oz. sheepshead

Biggest fish of the tournament trophy went to Shane Surrency for his black drum.

BRAGGING BOARD - Last Thursday I had the father and son team of Bill & Tom Stephens from Ohio fishing with me. They caught and released a ton of spanish mackerel. They did bring back some for dinner that night. On Wednesday of this week I had Bill Slomka & Richard Raborn on the boat. They had a 30, 26 and 24 inch trout. We were using pilchards up on the flats. On Thursday I had Don Thigpen on the boat and we had another good trout day. He caught a 28 & 28 inch trout on pilchards up on the flats, released a nice snook and caught a 5 pound permit on a live shrimp.
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