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
September 10, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Which includes:
Inshore report, Offshore Report, Freshies Suggestions, and 'Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!' (Story)
Captain Jack's McGowan's 'After Labor Day Weekend Inshore Fishing Statement'
Information we can all use to add to the 'old fishing logbook!'
For September 2, 2007
Needed rain over the Labor Day holiday dampened boating and fishing activities. Strong northeast winds prior to the holiday coupled with high tides meant even higher tides than predicted. These tough weather conditions offer up less quality fishing. For last week this was pretty much the case. Fish could be caught, but conditions were tough and fishing wasn't great. Even after enormous amounts of rain fell bouncing a shrimp under a float could catch fish. On Monday in a couple of hours I caught eight 13-inch redfish, four small sea trout, and one 2-pound sea trout. After lots of rain in such a short period of time conditions will usually rapidly improve. Generally all it takes is a tide or two. As summer comes to a close fishermen are looking to the fall and indications are that this could be another good year on the coast! At present the flats are holding some fish but the water is still very hot. As water temperature begins to drop shallow water fishing will heat up!
Labor day always brings to memory of stag bass in the surf. This time of the large red drum start to run the beachfront. Inclement changing weather is part of the mix that triggers the bull reds on the beach. Fishermen can target these fish in or out of their boat. Most surf fishermen prefer to walk the beach and outer bars looking for just the right rip or cut in the sand bar to pitch a finger mullet or cut bait. Fishing the surf can be gangbusters one day and nothing the next. When reds are feeding in the surf are hot this can be a dynamic way to spend a great morning or afternoon!
Shrimp are plentiful. Finding bait should not be a problem. That's said when tides aren't too large (spring tides). Bait is literally sucks out of the rivers and creeks to the sound. There of course is some bait around. The point is throwing a cast for shrimp during a high tide period could be frustrating for several reasons. Not the least is that bait is pulled the sounds.
September is that time of year if you haven't caught your tarpon you better go and give it your best shot! Some have said this has been a better tarpon year in local waters. Others have lamented the bite hasn't been that strong. Likely like any fishing it's a matter of perspective. If you're on the fish, fishing is good. Larger mullet are abundant in local rivers. Medium to large mullet are great tarpon bait as well a medium sized ladyfish. Ladyfish are plentiful as well. The expression big ducks fly late can attribute to tarpon. Some of the largest tarpon are spotted and caught late in the season.
This week as tides fall back to less than eight feet and conditions continue to improve fishing will likely be good. Redfish and sea trout will hungry and on the prowl after big tide and poor conditions. Small tides during the fall are usually the best day for flounders and black drum. Lots of line pulling "trash fish" in local waters. Take plenty of bait be prepared to fish different drops if trash fish are overwhelming. Fishing for the coming week should be good! Hope this of help! Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan
Thanks for Reading!
Captain Judy
'Fishing Physic!'