INSHORE - The inshore fishing has been on the slow side all week.  I started getting better reports on Wednesday with a pretty good trout bite coming from around the Midway Road area.  Most of the trout reported were from 1 to 3 pounds and caught on top water baits or a soft plastic bait in the darker colors and you will need to fish them in 2 to 4 feet of water.  I also got reports of some fairly good snook action up on the flats with a few slot size being caught but most of the fish were under the slot.  Again, top water baits or a pinfish have been the baits of choice.  There has been a lot of redfish sighted but only a few of them were eating.  Try the docks along St. Lucie Village or around Jack Island and a chunk of ladyfish will be hard to beat.  There are still some spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks around the Turning Basin and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they have been chasing small live baits.

 

OFFSHORE - The dolphin bite was red hot last Friday and Saturday with most anglers saying that they had their personal best on Friday.  Most of the dolphin were in the 20 to 50 pound range but we did have one that was 53 pounds come in on Friday.  Most of the action was in 110 to 140 feet of water and on Saturday a few nice fish did come from 250 feet.  Most of the fish were caught on a naked ballyhoo and on Saturday there were a few caught on a ballyhoo with a blue/white Islander Lure.  There were a good number of sailfish reported in 100 feet of water to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet.  There were only a few wahoo brought in and the anglers had to go to the deeper water to find them.  On Saturday there was a strong kingfish bite in 40 to 60 feet of water and it has remained steady thru today.  A live bait like a blue runner has been the way to go.  I also got reports of some big tarpon along the beach from the Ft. Pierce Inlet north to the Vero Cove.  The tarpon have been taking live baits.  The bottom fishing has been steady over the reefs and wrecks for snapper. On Wednesday we had one boat come in with 8 snapper to 10 pounds and they were using both live and cut baits.

 

CENTRAL FLORIDA OFFSHORE FISHING CLUB -  The CFOFC held their monthly offshore fishing tournament out of the Dockside Inn & Resort this past weekend.  Some of the club members came in early on Friday and went offshore and were rewarded for their efforts.  Barry & Jamie Hankinson came back with 4 nice size dolphin.  On Saturday all of the club's boats went out and braved the 4 to 6 foot seas with an occasional  8 footer thrown in.  One club member said it was "special" offshore on Saturday.  The club had a good number of dolphin and a few kings.  Kim Harrell had the only "Offshore Slam" for the club.  Kim had a 24.1 pound dolphin,  19.4 pound wahoo and a 7.8 pound king.  Club member - Alan Wilcox and crew had 13 dolphin and 4 kings on Saturday while fishing in 150 to 200 feet of water.

 

1st - High Voltage - Jamie Hankinson - 30.5 pound dolphin

2nd - Swamp Thing - Ryan Thomas - 30.4 pound dolphin

3rd - Afternoon Delight - Charlie Hughes - 28.4 dolphin

4th - Cuda Bait - Greg - 25.8 pound dolphin

5th - tie - Giddy Up - Bob McDonald - 24.1 pound king

              Fish Tale - Kim Harrell - 24.1 pound dolphin

6th - Stock Options - Dave Tindell - 22.5 pound dolphin

7th - Hook-N-Up - Norman Bosley - 21.2 pound dolphin

8th - Buck Fin - Ryan Thorlton - 14.7 pound dolphin

9th - Bad Habits II - Wild Bill - 13.3 pound dolphin.