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
May 14, 2007
Saltwater Fishing Report
Captain "Wild" Bill Jarrell Keeps Us In Touch with Yellow Bluff
For those that didn't know, Captain "Wild" Bill of Miss Judy Charters departs from beautiful Yellow Bluff Marina. This is an inshore fishing trip for those that want to catch and to see some beautiful coastal scenery while doing so!
Captain "Wild" Bill Jarrell of Miss Judy Charters is our connection to Yellow Bluff. He has fished this area for a great many years. So therefore when he offers up some suggestions on how to get the fish's attention especially in this area, we all listen! Firstly I want to add that this area is probably the most un-fished section of inland waters that is left near to Savannah. With that being said, "here's some fishing suggestions and a current report of what's happening in the "Yellow Bluff Area!"
Spotted sea trout are especially the "RAGE" at this time of the year. Large roe trout are making their way to the beachfronts so that the spawning process can begin. This normally lasts from May through August. Captain Bill has set his sights for targeting this fish and has found some interesting ways in which to get their "bite attention." His first suggestion is to go with some sort of live bait plan. Spotted sea trout especially the larger ones are smart and when it comes to feeding their plan is usually to hit the "bigger baits hard." The reason being is that the larger bait offer up more in the way of food. The bigger the mouth full the least amount time the large fish has to look for food. A large fish once told me that they don't like to waste a lot of time killing what they are going to eat. So therefore they look at it good before spending energy to attack. With that being said, "the right live bait" is the ticket to this ride!
One of Captain Bill's trick baiting techniques is to go with what is call "half and half" style. He take a ¼ ounce jig head, ties it directly on to his main line, and then lip hooks a mud minnow on as his live bait. Normally most fishermen use screw or paddle tail with jig heads. These artificial lures will work, but lets face it when you are targeting larger fish live bait is always going to be your best option. To back up what you are already thinking, it's still possible to catch larger fish on the artificial baits. Captain Bill's favorite color jig head at least for this week was "chartreuse." This type of fishing is "bottom fishing at it's finest!"
As far as how to working your bait, Captain Bill has his own signature twitching action. He is using this method on jerk baits and shrimp like patterns. These baits have been working well in the "large trout attract department!" Another way to get that large roe trout is too simply "fish naked!" This is a term when used that definitely gets your attention! At any rate, fishing naked is not fishing without clothing but whether without any thing, but a hook tied to you main line. We use this method a lot offshore, but because we are dealing with a lot of depth, we always add some sort of weight. The weight used is called "egg sinker." When talking about inshore shallow water areas, I suggest going "weight less." At any rate this is where you tie your hook on to your main line, which is leader-free, basically hook up your live bait offering, and make your location cast. The bait should seek what it thinks is it's safe level and the large fish knows that spot for sure!
According to Captain "Wild" Bill this is a decent time of year for the inshore angler that enjoys tugs from varied species. Spring patterns of redfish are still here. Quiet observation is the tool that helps produce reds. Observe their habitat and look for signs of them feeding so as to locate them. When feeding they're either pushing water or tailing. With practice, quiet observation will locate reds. The springtime black drum bite is still going on. Whiting are abundant. Sharks, bonnet heads and black tips, are stalking the shallow creeks and flats, so make sure you are either holding your fishing rod or have it secured in a rod holder, or you might be saying "bye bye" to a rod and reel. It's a little early but I've even heard a couple tarpon sightings.
Quotes Directly from Captain "Wild" Bill Jarrell in Regards to Yellow Bluff
The water temperature has reached 70-degrees. Schools of bait fish are moving into the sounds followed by the bonnet head and black tip sharks. The terns (frequently confused with gulls) are feasting on schools of glass minnows at the inlets. Large roe shrimp are in the creeks and lower sounds, and the trout fishing is producing beautiful catches of large fat roe trout. I recommend using the mud minnows as bait for the sea trout at this time of year. And, the best place to buy live mud minnows on the Georgia Coast is right here at Yellow Bluff!
I'm catching nice trout, a few reds, black drum, sheepshead, and flounder. The flounder will only get better through the month, and they'll be smoking hot at the beginning of June. Talking about hot bites, the month of April produced large numbers of whiting. And for those inshore fishermen looking for lively action with lots of tugs, target the whiting and sharks, because the kids will love it.