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
October 22, 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 McGowan of Miss Judy Charters has offered up yet another great fishing report! Bringing to mind it's "Logbook Entry Time!"
It's Oct 15, 2007!
Fishing has been good despite constant wind. Typically a northeaster will blow for week then lay. Windy days for the past month have been the rule. Fishermen who have found fish have produced catches of large sea trout and redfish. It's not unusual to hear of catches of over fifty legal reds with fishermen keeping only fish 16 inch fish or greater. Those finding success are finding clean water with little or no trash fish.
Sea trout are on move fattening up before winter. Sea trout might be thick as thieves in an area for a several days then gone. Trash fish usually don't have a big presence when sea trout and redfish are around. Fishing a drop with lots of trash fish then suddenly no trash is biting. Stay put! The bite is likely about to turn on. Some fishermen have covered massive areas in search of sea trout and redfish with little no luck.
Water temperature is high enough to have plenty of trash fish (pin fish, pig fish, yellow tails to name a few) present. When fishing an area with lots of "trash fish present" expect to go through your bait quickly. A strategy that works is to "limit your shrimp" to just a few unless the drop starts producing. Best bet when trash fish are biting is to just move. Shrimp are plentiful.
Both sea trout and redfish are keying on shrimp. This is time of year to fish some of the many types of poppers and rattle floats. They all work. Find the one you like and it will likely be your next "secret weapon." Look for ones that cast well, make a nice rattle or pop and retrieve easily. Betts makes several good ones as well the all time favorite Cajun Thunder.
Black drum are present. On days with little or no drift this can be the time to pick up not only redfish but black drum as well. A give away for a drum bite is the shrimp is eaten from the tail to the head. When you think drum are present start tail hooking and crushing your bait. Drums are excellent fighting fish. Most are in the three to five pound range.
For those not only catching but also eating whiting now is the time to do so! For best success fish lee shores close to the sounds using cut bait, pieces of squid, or shrimp. Lots of stingrays so be careful when handling or you might have an unplanned visit to the emergency room. A few large female bonnet head roaming the inshore waters but not nearly what was here a few weeks ago?
A friend an avid fisherman Joey Wiggly is thinking about starting a sport-fishing club for "artificals only." Joey is testing the water to see if there is any interest to sustain a group like this. As tournaments become more popular groups that are considered "catch, release and artificial only" would log valuable time on the water for tournament fishing. If there is an interest email me your name and number and I'll forward it to Joey.
One note of caution when fishing the Savannah River and the jetties pay close attention to where you are in relation to the structure. Accidents can happen. Don't cut corners. When in doubt, put it out. Tides for the coming week look excellence! Hope this of help! Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan! Thanks for the great report!