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
April 2, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore Fishing
For those of you that have been waiting to get what I call an "almost sure bite" you time have come! The reason I am saying this is because "the catching part of fishing" has been a little more active since the water has topped and stayed consecutively over 65 degrees. Even though we fishermen are already in shorts the fish are just now pulling out from a "slow bite pattern!" Some fish are effected more by the cool temperatures than others. The good news is that all fish are now being represented, which is a very good thing! With that being said, "it's time to just go fish!"
Whiting
This small little fish, which puts on a serious fed bag especially at this time has finally started to develop it's own feeding patterns. I need to add that some fishermen call this fish "southern king fish" not be confused with "king mackerel," which are also here. You can get the details on the king mackerel bite in the offshore report, which follows this section. Whiting are bottom feeders with small mouths and large appetites. Most of these fish are caught in the sound near sand bars and points where one river meets another. I call it "fishing at the Y!" Your best bet is to put your selected bait on the bottom and keep it there. These fish are genuine bottom feeders. Once the whiting finds a spot that is going to offer them any sort of consistence food they get become serious and set in! Your best bait is going to be something small such as small piece of peeled shrimp or cut fish. Smell plays a big factor with bite. I have found that when the current is especially strong tuck in areas that breaks up the flow. Whiting need to be at least 10 inches tail length to keep. This fish doesn't have a bag limit. However, keep only what you want to eat and carefully release the rest! After all someone has to do it, it might as well be you! I need to add that the whiting season is at it's strongest at this time. As soon as the sharks start ruling the sand bars the whiting will scatter to all parts making for mostly single catches. They are still here to catch, but not schooling up as they do in the cooler water times!
Spotted Sea Trout
This is one inshore fish that's specialty is to look before it leaps on to your bait. With that being the case, I suggest going with bait that appeals to them the best, which is live shrimp. During this time of the year there isn't much in the way of shrimp doing what I call "roaming the range." However, trout know that the timing for shrimp in the creek, rivers, and sounds is just around the corner. Their needs and desires for such a meal is better now that it was two weeks ago. It's there food of choice. At least until too many arrive. The good news is that these baits are accessible so therefore I suggest getting yourself some before heading to your secret fishing grounds.
Traditional floats rigs are great especially at this time. These rigs allow the fishermen to quickly adjust the depth of their bait "quick fashion!" Spotted sea trout stage in schools, which in some case are only the size of 5 gallons bucket. This style rig floats your bait (shrimp) until the strike zone is detected. In this case detection means, "the sinking of your cork!" There an old saying, "where the cork sinks normally marks the spot!"
Popping corks are also a great way to present your bait. These corks are equipped with their own set of "bells and whistles." When popped they definitely get the attentions of the "sight feeding trout." There are a few family secrets when it comes to using this style of rig. Sometimes it's necessary to add a little weight to the float itself and right above the live shrimp that you are using as bait. The best weight to attach to you float is what I call a "dog eared weight." You basically remove the black plastic (so called ears) insert and crimp it on the shalf of the float. Please remember to set you float up so that the dual bass balls are under the float. Some attach below the bass balls set while others place it above. It's all about personal preference and what you feel works for you. I suggest using at least a 4 foot leader, which might need a small split shot attached about 8 to 12 inches above the bait. This weight helps to keep your bait under your float and in the strike zone. It's best to use this style set up when fishing in less those 8 feet of water. It has been ascertained that trout normally feed about 1 to 3 feet above the bottom. When targeted water is deeper switch up and go with you traditional float rig that allow quick depth adjustability.
Red Fish
Red fish are now getting somewhat of a break from the feeding patterns of the porpoises. The reason being is that there is finally something else for these mammals to feed on other than them. All sizes of mullet have arrived and it looks like we already have a healthy crop of the strange leaping fish. For those that like to use finger or mullet strips as bait it's time to bring out the old cast net. I have been seeing quite a few of this bait leaping in the creeks and rivers. I suggest taking a few moments during the low tide phase to give casting a try. All fish caught could be potential baits at this time. Who knows you might even catch yourself some of those "Georgia Wild Shrimp!"
JIGGING
Over the last few years, I have been experimenting with jig fishing and have come to a great conclusion. It's a lot of fun catching a fish that hits bait so hard and with that much determination. To be effective at jig fishing you have to develop a technique that you are comfortable with as well as using the right kind of tackle. The jig size and weight is important, but so is the rod length and pound test of line. I am one of the fortunate fishermen who get to fish all the time, so I can try different techniques and narrow them down to the ones that work best. I have tried various length rods and have found the lighter the line the shorter the rod needs to be. I have been using the Ugly Stick series Rods. After looking at your local tackle store you are going to find that there are many types of jigs to choose from. I always select the ones that just look good to me; unfortunately the fish can't be there to give their opinion. There is one must when choosing a small jig, pick the one with a strong, but small singular treble hook that is attached to the rear area of the lure. This style hook is a sure getter, especially when the fish is hitting it with such force. A larger jig should be equipped with a large (6/0 to 8/0) standard single hook. Make sure that the single hook is attached to a swivel, which allows the hook to turn 360 degrees. This accommodates the fish bite and helps directing the setting of the hook. When selecting your jig tackle, pick ones that you are gong to be comfortable with. A lure is only as good as the fishermen thinks it is that's going to use it.
Another style jig, which has been very popular with the fish, is the new style "butterfly jigs." These jigs offer what I call a "two ended deal." It comes with two locations in which to attach your hook. The best types of hooks to use are going to be those that are called "assist hooks." These jig are best used when the hook is attached to the top or head of the lure. They work especially well when the fish hits them headfirst. I suggest going with a "double hooks" when using this style jig. Shimano puts out the "butterfly jigs." There are also some other brands on the tackle shelves, which look exactly like the ones that Shimano puts out. I must say the only way to know for sure that the copies work is to purchase the real deal, which does work, and also one of the "knock offs!" Just a note: Butterfly jigs aren't just jigs that are lures that have hooks situated on the head section. They do in fact have a designed shape that when free falling definitely gets the attentions of fish!
I have found that a jig will work in just about any fish situation. I started my experiment by tipping the hook with a small piece of bait. This turned out to be a bad idea for two reasons; smaller fish always hit it first and the bait affects the natural swimming of the jig. Believe me you can't have that when movement is all you have to attract a fish. It's best to just use the jig naked, keep it moving, and hopefully a fish will eventually take you up on this offering. I have found that short pulls on the rod give it a fleeing affect. If you follow this by a strong and continuous pulls toward the boat, the fish is sure to follow. The secret is not to stop reeling, even if the fish hits only at the lure. Hitting at the lure is a fish's way of checking it out. Unfortunately, this also is an indication that the fish isn't that hungry or it would have slammed the bait. Remembering your style at this time, even thought the fish didn't take the lure is very important. You did get the fish's attention, so therefore that particular movement worked.
Oh by the way if you are wondering what jig means: Any of several devices that are jerked up and down in or pulled through the water to attract fish to a line. The dictionary is right! At any rate, in my opinion fishing with a jig is the only way to go. When using the artificial stuff you are with the fish from the time that it hits the lure until it landed. It called the "The Full Feel!"
Artificial Reefs
The black sea bass are still holding at the artificial reefs located in the 55 plus feet of water. When picking your artificial reefs to fish on a particular day I suggest getting to know the reef's design before leaving the dock. It a known fact that black fish will school up on isolated spots. This means it could be any spot and you might have to search a bit before finding a holding school of Black Sea bass. I fish all of the time so I am familiar with most of the bottom areas. However, there are times when I have to look at my logbook to get the correct location of spots that normally hold black sea bass at this time of the year. The good news is that once you find them they normally bite. The bad news is that they are hard to find, because there isn't as much upper column baits to help you find the artificial bottom. The fact of the matter is that in some cases it takes those that fish all of the time a while to find them. With that being said, "have a plan before leaving the dock." Have what I call a "check list" of spots to check. Believe me you won't be sorry. My checklist theory works almost every time! As far a top water fish I haven't seen many, but the potential arrival time is here! Keep you eyes peeled for anything jumping on the horizon!
Savannah Snapper Banks
I fished the live bottom, which is located west of the naval tower MR26 the past week. I found myself in a "world wind of catching activity!" Normally during this time of the year bottom fishing is high up on my priority list. However, as we all know when it comes to fishing anything is possible! As I watched my fish finder I noticed lots of upper water column action. This basically means, "Fish ahoy!" As I watched I ascertained in quick fashion that what I was marking wasn't only cigar minnows, but also king mackerel, little tunny, and skip jack tuna. My basic instinct told me to get out the top water light tackle, but timing as well as water temperature tugged at my feelings. As I watched the fish finder, my customers dropped over the side with them getting hits before the sinkers hit the bottom. I dropped gold hook rig and quickly felt small tugs, which resulted in a three-cigar minnow hook up. I quickly removed them and luckily threw them directly into the live well.
As I watched the customer getting hooked up with accommodating black sea bass I saw top water fish approaching. About ten dolphin teenagers swam to the boat as if they had been there before. I immediately started acting stupid trying to get prepared to send a line overboard. As you can imagine the term "Chinese fire drill" comes to mind. Please don't think I am being politically incorrect, because I am not! Everything I picked was wrong and everything I did was backwards. After acting and looking like a mad women I grabbed the double hook bottom rigs, removed the heavy 16-ounce sinker, cut off one hook, hooked up a live cigar minnow, and belly flopped it overboard. My first mistake was taking place even though I already knew what was going to happen. The cigar minnow ran for cover while keeping in check with the boat. This automatically made the dolphin spooky. I retrieved the scared bait and added a small weight, which held the cigar minnow at bay under the water and in complete view of the hungry dolphin.
Just a note: Over the years I have suggested my times that especially when dolphin (mahi mahi) come to you boat to throw over squid or any sort of bait overboard. This normally gets their attention, gives them something to snack on, and keeps them around longer. As with any suggestions there is always a catch. Well, we have found that if they come to your boat whatever got their attention should keep it for at least a few tackle collecting seconds. Throwing over "hook less bait" can trigger a first bite, which might be the last action you will get out of them. So at this time we elected not to chum, but whether quickly rig up what we could. It worked we hooked up two fish on the first attempt. As soon as the first fish was landed we let the second hooked fish stay in the water a few more seconds in hopes of keep the others attention. That did not work! Our "momentarily target rich environment" has left the area.
I am always suggesting that it's a good idea to leave the last hooked dolphin in the water, which helps to keep the attentions of the others in the school. This action normally keeps the jealous fish around the boat. I have even completely retrieved my dolphin, re-hooked it, and placed the fish back into the water. In most cases this keeps the schools around giving you more hook up opportunity.
Now back to the fishing story: As soon as the dolphin got a good look at the my presented live cigar minnow the first dolphin hit it and ran off taking the entire school with it. The good news is the hook was set properly. As the fish was being retrieved the other in the school followed. Once making it back to the boat zone the second cigar minnow was devoured giving us yet another exciting fight opportunity. Both fish were landed. All this action happened and was gone in a mere moment. The school of ten dolphins less two now in our fish box took a heading to the southeast and never looked back.
After getting the boat back together, taking a few pictures, hosing the decks, and re rigging we were back in fishing action. As I made my way back to the area I planned on bottom fishing schools of large fish were still be marked on my fish finder. I quickly turned around looked at Captain Ali and said, "let troll!" So therefore more quick rigging was in store, which only took a few minutes and I was back in the water. I decided to pull my old stand by, which is #3 planer, 30 feet of leader, and a 31/2 inch drone spoon. I reached for silver on silver lure, sharpen the hook a bit, and handed it over to Captain Ali. She asked, "Where are the fish holding?" I answered, "approximately 80 feet." Captain Ali put the lure out and dropped the planer into position. The rest of this fish story is catching history for sure!
While pulling at 6.5 knots we caught 8 king mackerel, 6 little tunny, and 1 skipjack tuna. All fish pulled over the gunnels weighted in at over 15 pounds. (The surface water temperature was 66.7.) The fish box got crowded at this point. I must report that all this catching took place while working the same area, pulling at the same speed, and on the same lure. We did find that the tuna like fish were holding above the king mackerel. A simple adjustment of 20 feet allowed more hook ups on kings that little tuna. I also found that once the spoon was hit, but missed that if I pulled the engine into neutral for a few seconds that I would get a hook up. The lull in the lure offered up a bit more bite opportunity. In this case, I do feel that the fish that hit the spoon first was not the one that got hooked up. King mackerel have to swim all of the time in order to survive. So therefore when they hit at bait and miss your opportunity for a hook up is gone unless you are in a school of fish!
Gulf Stream
Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Billfish!
If you read the whole report you already know that we caught dolphin at the Savannah Snapper Banks this past week. This as you know is not normal for this time of the year. The blue water bite has been up with catching one day great offering up lots of action with the next trip being slow to none. However, black fin tuna as well as Wahoo were caught last week while pulling the stream last week. It was reported that a marlin was caught and released by Barry Bazemore while fishing the south ledge area. This area has been holding the interests of our blue water friends for some time. I suggest if nothing else visiting this area first before trolling to other areas.
It's my opinion that the "up whellings" are much stronger at the south ledge at this time of the year. My meaning for this terminology is a simple one. When strong current pass over a ledge the pattern of water flow is changed meaning it follows the path of least resistance. The current follows the ledge down to the bottom where it's comes to a sudden halt and then it's force upward carrying anything from bottom debris to baitfish towards the surface. This continuously happens until the water column from the bottom to the surface becomes lined with all sort of feeding opportunity. This becomes a spot for fish from small to large to feed. As you all know where you have fish you have fish! In other words, "fish here!"
Freshies Report!
"Biggest Bass or Not!"
Large mouth bass are known for their strange feeding habits. This boils down to the fact that if you know some of these special feeding habits you're fishing is going to turn into catching! Please remember these are only suggestions that have worked in the past, present, and future. I'm not here just making them up! Firstly, when it comes too large mouth bass the small ones basically "slam your bait," which is a good thing! The large "lunkers," which is what I have come to call them are a little more careful with what they intend on eating. With that being said, "it's critical that bait used especially when it's artificial that it has that "feels like it's real" with the first initial contact. After all bass don't get big, because they were stupid. I talked with Bruce Campbell the other day and he shared a few tournament-winning secrets with me. His favorite worm is made by ZOOM, which is called "trick worm." The favorite color is "water melon red." I touched one of these baits and believe me it actually did feel like the real thing. His most used hook is a "Cagle Claw" 3/0 Lazer sharp Z-bend worm hook. The rigging part of this section is almost too simple for words. All you do is thread your worm on to your hook and then tie directly onto your main line. (Main line being the line that is coming straight off your reel.) In next week's fresh water suggestions I intend on bringing you up to speed on the best ways to "work the old plastic worm!"
"Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!"
World Famous made by many "Shoe Show"
Captain Ali Young of Miss Judy Charters, which has been with us for way over thirty years, came up with this two-word term. Her interpretation of "Shoe Show" is probably the simplest ever! The bottom line to the meaning of Captain Ali's phrase "shoe show" is not only simple, but also so very true! It means, "Women that dance with shoes only!" Once again you know the rest of the story!
Here's My Line Now Bite My Hook!
Captain Judy