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 21, 2007
Inshore Fishing
"Just Go Float-less!"
The tides were unusually high with strong currents, which made fishing tough. Our inshore as well as our offshore captains struggled to get the bait to the fish this past week. However, since this occurrence wasn't the first captains worked with what they had, which was fast moving dirty water. Now the bottom line to this scenario is the fact that fish have to eat no matter what! So therefore these conditions are definitely "fishable!" It's just you need to make a few changes in regards to you attack mode.
Firstly, lets address the usage of corks or should I say, "traditional floats and popping corks!" There have been several reports especially in the last couple of weeks by the serious fishermen that are saying, "just go float-less!" With that being said, "let me offer up some suggestions." Lets address the traditional float rigs first.
The traditional float rig for those that don't know are those that allow us to adjust the depth of our bait fast and simple. All we have to do is to move the "nail knot" up or down allowing us the comfort of "bait depth adjustability! This is great, because it's a quick fix to keeping your bait in the strike zone. However, the float scene hasn't been offering much in the way of catching this pass few weeks. Some captains are just saying "no to floats" and basically are removing them. This set up is simple to make and even simpler to use. All we do is to remove the float and tie on an appropriate trout sinker/weight. To the sinker they are tying on an 18 to 30 inch leader to which they tie the hook.
The best way to decide which size weight to use is to base it on the amount of current that you are dealing with. This is where I suggest having an array of different sizes in your tackle box. It's also good to match the main line to the sinker used. You don't want over kill on either end of you set up. In other words if you are using less than ten pound test main line you really aren't going to need to use more than ¼ to ½ ounce weight. You certainly don't want to use ¾ weight because that would be over kill for sure! The heavier the main line the more "water drag" you are going to experience. So therefore adjust according!
The leader should be somewhere around 15 pound test line. Once again it could be lighter test especially if you find you are not getting hits. I always suggest using fluorocarbon leader material, because of its great disappearing act and for the abrasion resistance factor. However, regular monofilament line will work in some cases just as well. I know I have said this before and probably will do so again. Special leader material hasn't been around that long so therefore the regular stuff has worked many years before this new style leader inventions. The bottom line when not choosing to go with fluorocarbon material is to check your leader real good after every hit or hook up. An easy way to perform this task is to basically pull the leader through your finger slowly feeling for any "nicks or burns." Also don't forget to check both ties, which are located at the base of the sinker and the hook's eye. These are considered very weak points once tugged on and brushed across any sort of structure. The hook used should be one that you are familiar with such as a Kale hook or even a stand "J' style. The Kale has been the best to use, but as I said it's up to you. It's important that the hook used doesn't over power your bait's natural performance.
With all this being said about tackle size I would like to put my two-cents worth in this fish catching pot! Firstly I would like to say "the light the leader the bigger the fish!' Now I use this phase another way so don't get confused. I also say "the lighter the leader the clearer the water." This last statement means that when fishing is real clear water you should lighten up to test leader used. The reason being is if you don't you intended fish will spend most of its time looking at the leader and not your hook up bait.
Now the statement "the lighter the leader the bigger the fish" has an entirely different meaning. In all the years that I have fished it seems that the larger fish always hits the smallest bait. Now it can almost always be assumed that the smallest bait is rigged on the small leader configuration. (Another mouth full!) It's my opinion that a fish especially a large one didn't get that way being stupid. So therefore this boils down to the fact that they actually "look before they leap!" This brings me back to "the lighter the leader the bigger the fish!"
I must reel myself back in! Now lets talk about "popping corks!" As you know this cork when popped imitates the sound of a fleeing shrimp, which prompts the fish to attack quicker. In other words, they hear this "real life like noise," and it brings the fish to the bait. This is a great fish attracting invention and it normally works with great results. However, this application hasn't been working in the last few weeks. Now I am not suggesting for one moment that you dump all of your popping corks. I am just going to offer up a temporary change in your fishing design. Get out the old "moth balls and pack them up" at least for a while!