Miss Judy Charters
Captain Judy Helmey
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956!"
124 Palmetto Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31410
912 897 4921 or 912 897 3460 fax
www.missjudycharters.com
June 4, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore, Offshore, and Freshies Suggestions
Bottom Fishing for Spotted Sea Trout
It's time to introduce Captain Alan Collins. He has joined the inshore fleet bringing us some real good old time fishing catching values. Captain Alan is only new to Miss Judy Charters, but to inshore fishing. The fact of matter is he has been inshore fishing for years! We welcome him onboard and also want those out there that want to fish with Captain Alan to please give us a call and ask for him! With all this being said, please find listed below his new design for targeting and catching spotted sea trout.
I am always talking about the good old "traditional trout rig," which is known very well by most fishermen. Especially those that like to "see the sinking of the cork!" It has been brought to my attention my many of the inshore captains that cork fishing when it comes to trout isn't the only option that we have. Captain Alan has come up with a style and techniques, which is working quite well!
Captain Alan's main-line (loaded on the reel) is 8-pound test. He is using a 30 inch 30 pound test leader to which is he tying on his hook of choice. The hook could be a ¼ ounce jig head or just a single Kale hook. For bait he is using live mud minnows or shrimp. Mud minnows have been working quite well. As you all know live shrimp are at premium prices and not only that, but hard to obtain in the first place. Where the leader meets the main line he mashes on two-pea size split shots. As Captain Alan explained how his rig worked it became apparent that he had come up with a great spotted sea trout catching idea!
Captain Alan along with son A J, which is in the Coast Guard stopped by to tell me about their fishing day. While using the newly described rig, A. J, explained that it works quite well, but it needs to be moved properly. After using it many times over they have come up with the most effective way to get quick trout hits! A. J. prefers to use the tied on naked Kale hook, because he says, "it allows his bait to swim up in the water column." According to A. J. it's best to work the hooked up mud minnow as if you were working a plastic worm. This basically means, "Slow to go!" As both fishermen explained I listen and came up with what I think is the best of both worlds. The rule of thumb while using this rig is simple. If you think the trout are staging close to the bottom go with the jig head. When hits don't prevail change up and tied on the old naked hook. It's simple fix! Situating the weight at the top of the rig it allows the hooked live bait to swim up, because it certainly can't swim down! Thanks for the report and welcome aboard!