Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing Report Statement
Firstly, I would like to say, "Yes, my fishing reports are long!" Now that I got this out of the way I can get to the point for this statement. I know a lot of fishermen don't like to read, but in the fish-catching world the only way to get ahead is to read or fish everyday like me. The information that I am sharing with you is "priceless" for many reasons. The first is that it has taken me many years to get where I feel that what I am passing on to you is the absolute facts for getting the best opportunity to catch fish! With that being said, " I suggest hanging on every word, because it's not just good reading it "real fishing experience on a page!"
Inshore Fishing Report
Brought to you directly from Captain Jack McGowan of Miss Judy Charters
How's the fishing? Pretty good despite strong winds and lack of much needed rain. Strong winds couple with large tides pushed water much higher than predicted. When fishermen are on the move it likely means they are struggling. Despite challenging conditions some fishermen were still able to produce good catches of sea trout and whiting. When, when wind and tides abated fishing pickes up. Slow moving water due to small tides following the large tides can be challenging. Best action for sea trout is usually when fishermen find clean water and a good drift. This week we've caught sea trout on plastics as well as shrimp. Sharks are being to show up. Bonnet head sharks can be found close to their primary food source of blue crabs. When fishermen decide to keep a small shark make sure it's legal (30" TL). Try to avoid taking large bonnet heads. These are pregnant females. The presence of large bonnet heads is a sign of a healthy environment. Some states are experiencing a decrease in the size of this shark. There are small sharp nose sharks on the sand bars. So far the size remains of the sharp nose are less than two feet. Hopefully as the spring progresses we'll see larger sharp noses.
There are reports of glass minnows coming into the sounds just south of Savannah. Glass minnows are indicator of good fishing. When this baitfish pushes in sea trout, redfish and ladyfish will be close behind. This is a good time to look for terns and egrets working glass minnows. When you see this taking place this is a good indication that sea trout and redfish are feeding under them. Stop and give this area a "fishing try!" Believe me, this could be a target rich catching and moving environment. Approach quietly so as not to spook while keeping "eyes wide" to look for fish feeding signs.
The whiting bite has been pretty good, not awesome but pretty good. Most of these fish are small 9 ½ or 10 inches with some bigger ones mixed in. One fisherman says he only keeps fish 11 or 12 or bigger. This is a pretty good rule of thumb. Small whiting can be fatally damage when unhooking so use care.
Sea trout are starting to roe up. As sea trout become laden with roe anticipate the bite to shift to the sounds. The rule to thumb especially in this case is to only keep what you want to eat and release the rest! A large roe trout can produce a lot of serious potential catches for years to come! This is where you camera comes into play offering up some good concrete bragging rights!
The last couple of years seemed to have been fair to below average years for cobia. So far there are reports of some nice being caught in the Broad River even in windy conditions. Live eels appear to be the bait of choice. The bait lists for a cobia can be anything from small pieces of bait to live fish. Cobias are natural born feeders with an attitude. It's more about what gets their attention than what they are going to eat!
Bait shrimp is still available in the Savannah area. Usually there are a few weeks during the spring when shrimp become scares in local bait shops. Maybe this year will be the exception but don't count on it. Capt. Wild Bill Jarrell says Rayburn of Yellow Bluff development was having difficulty in finding shrimp. Which is hard to believe, because he is one of the "masters" when it comes to the catching of shrimp! Shrimp season for the large boats opened last week. Local boats are still at dock. When fishermen see shrimp boats in the sounds the bait in! Capt. Wendell Harper says, do you fish shrimp boats? Fishing close to shrimp boats can produce a variety of fish. When setting an anchor fish close, but definitely not obstructing the "shrimpers" course.
Hope this of helps! Keep a few sea trout, whiting or flounders when desiring some fish to eat. Always go light on take of reds or preferably release reds for another day. Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan