Fort Pierce Inshore Fishing Report and Forecast: June 2015

Travis VanHoose caught and released this tarpon while on a charter with Capt. Eric Davis.  They were along the beach between Fort Pierce and Vero Beach. Tarpon will be moving inshore in June. PHOTO SUPPLIED by Capt. Joe Ward.
Travis VanHoose caught and released this tarpon while on a charter with Capt. Eric Davis. They were along the beach between Fort Pierce and Vero Beach. Tarpon will be moving inshore in June. PHOTO SUPPLIED by Capt. Joe Ward.

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]verything should start to heat up in June, including the weather. The best inshore action should be from first light until about 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. until dark. During these hours try a top water bait like a Zara Spook or Chug Bug, and for the anglers who like to throw soft plastic baits, try a D.O.A. Bait Buster. For the rest of you who like live bait, try a pigfish, mullet, shrimp or a crab. This method will catch a snook, trout, redfish and lots of big jacks. Try places like Harbor Branch, Round Island or Queen’s Cove to the north and to the south you can try Bear Point, Herman’s Bay or the docks along South Indian River Drive. The snapper fishing should also be good around the bridges and the channel edges. A live shrimp fished on a #2 hook, a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and a half- to a one-ounce lead should work just fine.  Tarpon should be here in full force in the Fort Pierce Inlet, around the Moorings and around the Big Mud Creek area. Try using a live mullet.

Trout will continue to be active early in the morning and late afternoon until dark. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Joe Ward
Trout will continue to be active early in the morning and late afternoon until dark. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe Ward has been fishing the inshore waters of Fort Pierce for over 50 years. He provides guided fishing charters on the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie and Stuart, Florida. In his "spare time", Capt. Joe and his wife Cammie dedicate their time to running Capt. Joe's Bait & Tackle (located on the Fort Pierce Inlet at the Dockside Inn and Resort) and Treasure Coast Casters, a 501(c)(3) that teaches youth about fishing and the importance of marine conservation. To reach Capt. Joe, call (772) 201-5770 or visit his website.