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
August 20, 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)
Current King Mackerel Report
Our offshore boats have been catching kings in 100 to 110 feet of water. They have been in a "deep holding pattern" for most of the year. The artificial reefs have been holding some interest. However, most of our kings have been caught while fishing live bottom areas at the Savannah Snapper banks. I suggest fishing any areas that have ledges holding any sort of bait in the upper water column. Don't pass up spots that have scattered fish suspended from bottom up to 20 feet. These areas can be holding the interest of the mackerel. You might not mark them within the school of bait, because they prefer holding in the outskirts. King mackerel are known for "perimeter schooling." This boils down to the fact that they must know the bait is in a holding pattern and they only move in when the feeding event takes place. I have seen this so many times this year that I going to make it the "feeding rule of thumb for king mackerel!"
The naval towers have been great areas to fish, but getting too close will get you barracuda bites. The kings are normally found hanging in the perimeter of these areas. I suggest looking for any feeding or holding birds in these areas while using the tower as the center of you fishing universe. The fact that the birds are holding in a particular area means, "feeding is taking place or just about too!"
When I fish an area such as this I call it "bull's eye effect!" To accomplish this I use the tower as my centerpiece, but I keep it at a distance. It's best to troll in circles. This plan normally works, because as soon as I start getting hits I change this feeding area into my new "bull's eye area!"
I have found that the way to fish for kings when they are holding deep has changed up a bit. Firstly, light tackle and live bait use to always get you a hook up and it was fun. However, while using light tackle and live bait your bait can escape the feeding zone leaving you "hit-less!" Heck, you can be over the right spot, but if you bait is "swimming away" from the strike zone "you will get no hits!" Downriggers, light tackle, and live bait have been working quite well, because you can easily regulate the placed depth. I must add if you allow too much freedom in regards to your live bait you probably won't get a hit. I suggest making sure that you bait is actually where you think it is or you are going to miss hooking up while leaving any area that is probably a good fish catching spot!
I have been using "old school methods" for catching king mackerel. It's simple and it works. I have been pulling 31/2 Drone spoons 30 feet behind #3 Sea Striker planers. My best trolling speed is 6 to 7 knots. Here's one more suggestion that you are going to love in regards to using spoons/metal as bait. You know the old saying "match the hatch," which boils down to "give them a bait that fits in their mouth." I have a new one, "if the bait seen is small "match the latch that has been hatched!" In other words when dealing with small bait, which is what the fish is throwing up "down size you baits!" In the case of using 31/2-inch Drone spoons I suggest downsizing to the size bait that you are seeing. I changed up from a pulled 31/2 inch to an 11/2 inch Drone, and it spurred up more hits/hookups!
One more thing: Most of our "smoker kings" have been caught while fishing on the bottom with our snapper grouper rig. We normally slide on to our 60 to 80 pound test main line an 8 ounce egg sinker, bead, and then we tie on our 100 pound test snap swivel. For a leader we are using 80 to 100 pound test, which can be 6 to 15 feet long. I am using 100-pound test swivel, which is attached to the snap and 12/0 to 14/0 circle hook. My most used bait is going to be ruby red lips, (AKA fire mouth, tomtates, grunts) small vermilion snapper, small rock bass, small sands perch, large menhaden-porgies, live cigar minnows, live Spanish sardines, or others. The rule of thumb here is the longer the leader the more swimming room for your baitfish! Baits that have structure seeking tendencies will head to the bottom for cover. Those baits that spend most of their time off the bottom will try to move up and blend in with others.
Baits fall into several categories as you all know, but in this case it's important to know what bait use is going to mostly do. The rubies, cigars, vermilion, menhaden, and Spanish sardines normally move up into the water column. These fish listed are what I call "schooling fish!" Sand perch are seekers of the sand. Rock bass are going to get as far as they can into the structure. I know "too much information," but someone has to do it and I guess I am the one!