With the closing of snook season, you can look for some good catch and release action in the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the falling tide. Best bet is fishing live baits on the bottom at places like Judy Rock or around the cleaning table on the South Jetty, if the dredging is complete. On the flats, the trout bite should be red hot on both artificial and live baits. Try a topwater bait like a Top Dog, Zara Spook or a soft plastic bait early in the morning and just before dark. Later in the morning you will want to switch to a live shrimp or a bait fish and fish it under a popping cork. Best locations may be places like Harbor Branch, the Mooring Flats, or Bear Point. Look for plenty of snapper along the channel edges and they will be taking the smaller live shrimp or small pinfish fished on a 1/0 hook and about a 1/3 ounce weight. While along the channel edges, look for a tripletail or two hanging around the channel markers. Use a ¼ oz. jig head and a large live shrimp. The redfish are going to be shallow. Think water one-foot deep. A gold spoon or a live shrimp should work well in locations such as between Queens’ Cove and Jack Island.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
Phone (772) 201-5770 or (772) 461-1335
Email: CWard11605@aol.com
Website: www.captjoeward.com