Inshore Report
Got to Fish No Problem!
Captain Ray has many theories when it comes to fish. In the hot season he likes to target red fish at the lower end of the tide. However, it seems according to Captain Ray that the red fish are spooked easy. When he approaches an area he does so quietly. The reason being is that red fish has a keen sense in regards to their surroundings for sure. According to Captain Ray it's like each outside noise that doesn't match the norm pushes them out and away from the area. The fact of the matter is the fish just sink down into their wintertime stealth mode!
So therefore every cast made to an active area might possibly be your last. So make all casts count, because according to Captain Ray you only get a few chances! He is catching quite a few large red fish up in the grass. However, after a few casts, he moves on to the next spot so as to give the fish spooked time to re-group. The bottom line to this suggestion is to have some sort of a plan. This means have in mind where you are going to move next. If you don't have other areas, then back off, and wait quietly for the fish to re-group. This is called at best "the red fish watching game!"
During this time it's best to use the bait that suits the fisherman the best. Artificial baits that can be casts to the holding area are great. However, those casting have to understand the noise factor. The boils down to the cast need to have an "Olympic dive pattern!" In other words the least amount of rings a possible. If you want that gold metal in the shape of a fish think quiet before casting.
Now for those that prefer to use the real thing it definitely works for sure. The reason being is that red fish have keen smelling sensors. This boils down if the bait used puts out a luring smell the red fish will come. Live bait or fresh dead bait under mini floats work great, because once cast all you have to do is to wait. Almost any bait will work as long as it matches the hatch of the fish. I know that's an old saying, "Match the Hatch," but I had to throw it in there. It's oh so true!
I am always saying to myself even though I fish all of the time, "why didn't I think about using that bait?" Well, we can't remember everything all of the time that's why keeping fishing records is so important. I had an "old fishing codger" tell me the other day that "fresh mullet heads" are good red fish bait. After thinking about it, that sounds just like something my father would have tried. I have a great reasoning behind that last statement. Back in the old days my father ate a lot of fried or smoked mullet, which sometimes still had their heads intact. However, when we had mullet minus their heads I should have wondered why and now I might have just figured it out. After talking to that "old fishing codger" it dawn on me that this was the only part of the fish that he was willing to give up, which was the head and parts attached! So therefore "heads off means fresh bait on!"
Captain Jack McGowan of Miss Judy Charters shared some real interesting suggestions with me this past week.
As he talked I couldn't help but marvel at a fishermen's way to catch a fish when all the odds are against them. During the hot times there is plenty of bait and the fish can gouge themselves at any time at will! Fish are normally where you find fish! I am going to explain that last statement. However, when I do you already knew it, but might have not thought about it quite this way.
Where you have any sort of schooling fish you have bite potential. As Captain Jack and I talked it become clear that fish are definitely going to be where fish are. The old rule of thumb "bigger fish eat the smaller ones and so on is all so true." With that being said, let me set the fish stage and suggest how to work it to your best catching advantage.
During this time of the year we are very fortunate to have all kinds of fish on the beachfronts and inshore. When the larger ocean porgies or mullet move inshore so do the fish that eat them. Those that are trying to eat them force these sometimes-large schools of fish to the surface. When this happens you can watch the feeding action as it unfolds. This is what I call a "moving feeding zone," which can provide us fishermen with lot of catching opportunity. Large fish such as tarpon, cobia, Jack crevalle, sharks, and others follow on the out skirts feeding at will. This is where I think "same size large fish" even different species might work together. After all they are not eating each other. However, they are all working at eating on the same school of fish, which mean keeping them together is a "feeding asset" for sure.
Captain Jack's theory of working the schools of fish or should I say, "fishing around the schools of fish works!" Here's the break down of Captain Jack's Personal Inshore Big Fish Catching Rig!
Captain Jack's Rod and reel Set up Shimano "Teramar" 20 to 30 pound test rod, Reel saltwater Shimano "Spheros" Shimano spinning reel loaded with 60-pound Power Pro Super braid line
Terminal gear used: Captain Jack uses a Blue water popping cork, which is definitely sized up from the trout used one. To the bottom of the float he ties on an in-line ¼ sinker, which adds needed stability for casting far. For a leader he uses 100-pound "camo" line type, which he ties on a 7/0 Kale hook.
I know you must be thinking, "Boy this sounds like a heavy rod, reel, and terminal gear situation, because it definitely is. The reason Captain Jack goes with this set up is that he had landed some nice 100-pound plus sharks and tarpon. The bottom line to this set up is that you get to really feel the strong fight provided by these hooked up fish. Yes, you could go with lighter use everything, but when the big fish calls you really do want to be prepared for absolute control.
For bait Captain Jack suggest going with the bigger stuff that you caught right in the area that you are fishing. Or if you happen to have caught it earlier in the fish week it will also work. After you have the bait hooked up your main goal should be to place it where the schools are located. However, if you don't want to chase the schools, which is another option, anchor up, just cast set, and wait for the fish to come to you.
Lets talk a little about "chasing the schools!" As you already know especially at this time of the year, "most of the time where you have bait, you have large fish holding or feeding in on the out skirts." Lets assume you are watching a surface school of menhaden and there are birds feeding as well as holding. The area right under the birds is just about where the larger fish are holding.
What birds do for us fishermen
Once again I find myself wanting to explain how to get the most out of what you are dealing with. In this case you have a school of fish, which probably has big fish feeding down under. The actions of birds can give you a big heads up for what's going on down below. The good news is if you know what to look for you can totally take advantage of it.
Birds with their keen eyesight along with the "just knowing instincts" know the goings on down under. It gets better, birds imitate by their "in air actions" what's taking place down under. I have caught many a large fish such as the Wahoo watching a single bird imitate the actions above. This boils down to the fact that when the fish attacks below the bird's actions above are very erratic. Birds are basically "copy cats," when it comes to movement. The reason being is that the movement made below by the feeding fish is imitated by the bird or birds above.
Over the years I can pretty much tell when by the actions of the birds above what's happening down under. I can honestly say, "Reading the moves of a bird and knowing how to take advantage of them takes some practice. However, since you have me to explain you can move ahead quicker…. read on….
When large fish are feeding on the outskirts of a school and birds are participating it's kind of easy to identify if you know what to look for. For instance: When the large fish goes into the school to feed, the basically go into the "charge mode." This is where the fish pushes forward grabs what it wants and the backs out or makes a quick tight circle. Larger fish know that they have a target rich environment and they don't want to cause what is known as "bait interrupted." The bird or birds up above will follower the larger fish's movement to a "T." When the fish attacks better known as "darts in" so does the bird from above. The reasoning behind the bird movement is that they want to be right over when the leftover parts float up. Birds love fresh killed fish oils, which float directly to the surface. It's definitely the ultimate lunch delivered for them.
Artificial Reefs and Savannah Snapper Banks
Trolling Times
For those that want to top water fish these areas, it certainly is the time for that. These are great spots for trolling artificial baits/spoons, slow trolling live bait, or just plain drift fishing light tackle/live baits will also work. You could find yourself catching king mackerel, dolphin, little tunny, barracuda, or other large fish that might be lurking and feeding about.
Bottom Fishing Times
The water temperature is up meaning the fish bite on the bottom can be a little off. At least in those standard live bottom areas. However, if you want to bottom fish and catch you need to know where to go. In other words especially at this time of the year there are "do's and don'ts!"
The first thing that you need to know is the whereabouts of certain fish. Black sea bass especially at this time prefer 80 to 90 feet of water. So therefore isolated spots are going to be great places to target for this fish. Black sea bass, triggerfish, white bone, ocean perch, and other smaller species can be found schooled up. I'm not talking about large live bottom areas. These fish prefer isolated areas, which aren't normally fished. With that being said, "if you know such a spot, I suggest fishing it!"
For those wanting to target large bottom fish such as red snapper and grouper these fish can be found in around 120 feet of water. They basically are further offshore. The best bait is going to be live. However, for the largest fish such as this you need to use bigger baits. You know the old saying, "the bigger the bait the bigger the fish!"
Gulf Stream
I hate to keep sounding like a broken record, but the records that I keep don't lie. The reason being is that facts are facts! Blue water fish don't move east meaning further into the stream during this time they move north and south by west. I know that must sound crazy for sure. However, it's true, blue water fish such as dolphin, tuna, Wahoo, and billfish have to eat. The bottom line is that "moving east has the least amount of feedings to offer!" As you know fish follow the bait, because it their food source. With that being said, "fish those live bottom areas closer to shore between the so called stream areas back to 120 feet!"
As far as what type of bait to use, "the sky is the limit, because these fish are hungry and on the look!"
Freshies Report
Derrick Mitchem's Wall Hanger
At the age of 14 Derrick Mitchem caught his first 12-pound largemouth bass. According to this fish catching report, it was an accident, but Derrick learned a great lesson from it. This all took place at the family's Mitchem pond located in Albertville Alabama. Derrick had gone down to the pond to do little afternoon fishing. For bait he had tied on an "Electric Blue Zoom 6 inch plastic worm." With his secret weapon in place "a casting he went!" He drew back and made what he thought was pretty good cast! It would have been a great cast had his bait not landed in that over hanging tree and he hadn't backlashed so bad. Since Derrick was fishing alone he really didn't care, because he could straighten out the line so as to do it all over again. As he watched the bait, which was once hung in the tree, as it just fell out and landed in the water. As he watch this happen he began the un-tangling of his "eagle's nest reel!"
I know you have heard this before, but I will tell it again for those that haven't. In the charter boat business we have a lot of tangles, which make us "professional un-tanglers!" Some customers have small backlashes, which are called "bird's nests." These tangles are easy to get out with a mere pull or two of the loose loops. However, when the backlashes are tight and the loops really extend out of the reel "inches plus" they are called "eagle's nest!" Now you know the rest of the story!
At any rate Derrick started his untangling event, which took a few minutes. After pulling on every loop and getting the tight spots loosen the reel was once again in working order. This meant that Derrick could now reel in and re-cast to that prefect spot. As soon as Derrick started reeling he felt pressure on the end of his rod. At first he thought he was hung on something, but then that whatever started moving!
With that one instance Derrick went into "got to land this fish mode!" As soon as he finally got the fish to the bank he couldn't believe his eyes! It was the biggest large mouth bass he had ever seen on the end of his line. Derrick was excited, but he controlled it well. After he landed the fish he started screaming so loud that his mother heard him all the way up to the house. Derrick said, "My mother came running out of the house, because she thought a snake had bit me!" He laughed, "I was so happy, because I landed that big fish all by myself!
Derrick caught this 12-pound large mouth bass on April 10, 1990 at 3:30 PM. He told me about it in great detail while offshore fishing on my boat on July 10, 2008. If those last statements don't make you want to take a child fishing I really don't know what will!
The 12-pound large mouth bass was mounted and it hangs on Derrick's trophy wall. Every time he looks at it he re-plays the whole catching thing all over again! Derrick favorite casting trick in regards to getting a large mouth bass's attention is a simple one. And it goes something like this: Cast so that your bait used bounces off the tree first and then into the water. Allow you landed bait to act stunned as long as possible only barely twitching it. The real secret is to make it look like it's trying to wake up from a bad landing! The bass will come and who knows, you might catch a "wall hanger" too! Thanks Derrick for such a great story and we certainly do hope to see you again soon!
"Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!"
Used Car Salesman
Part Two! Many parts to come!
Last week I touch base of just a few of the things that took place at daddy's old used car lot. Since I wasn't around for most of the goings on, I have had to rely here say! However, those old codgers must speak the truth, because it comes out so easy. The way I look at it, if all this information weren't true then they would have forgotten about it many years ago!
Daddy's specialty according to those that talk the talk was "making cars look better than they really were."
People purchasing didn't really want to know the under the paint details they just wanted the car to pass for the loan so that they could buy it. So therefore, it wasn't exactly the buyer that was getting taking advantage of it could have been the one loaning the money. According to daddy all of his cars were built to last just as long as the loan did. Apparently daddy had a hand in the financing of the automobiles also!
Back in the old days when odometer readings were numbers clicking and basically just turning over things were a lot different. It's a fact that not even the one owning the ear from the "get go" knew what the real mileage was. The reason they didn't was because there was a lot of odometer numbers being turned back. My father wasn't the only person doing it. Most car dealers preformed this act with great precision while other didn't.
I can't say, "My father taught me the trade of rolling back the numbers, because he didn't!" However, I saw it done so many times that I could have preformed this task while half asleep. Along the way of watching I learned a few value lessons especially when it came to purchasing a used car back in the good old days!
Car dealers or individuals that wanted their cars to have fewer miles just turned them back. It wasn't illegal unless you got caught and believe me during this time "no one was looking!" At first I remember them just carefully removing said screws that held the dash in place so as to get to the odometer it self. Back in the day this wasn't a complicated thing to do. After a few dash side openings everyone was a "whiz" at getting right to the source.
Once he got to the guts of the odometer, daddy basically pulled out the entire meter design. There were rolls of wheels in line together. All of the wheels had the numbers 0 to 9 on each wheel. At first as I remember there were six wheels total meaning your car once it reached 99,999 and 9/10, which is right up there with 100,000 miles it basically turned back to a "big zero."
My father always talked as he made these changes. According to him it was very important that you made sure that once the numbers were reset that they were straight. If they weren't straight "those in the knowing would know" that the automobile's odometer has been tampered with. With this bit of information I knew how some determined whether or not the miles on the car was turned back. For this part it was simple "if the numbers were crooked" the odometer had definitely been tampered with by a non-professional.
However, I must admit if daddy was the one doing the "turning back" it was going to be hard to tell. It was an art with him for sure. According to my father something as simple as turning back odometer numbers could still offer up some real sales problems. For instance: You could roll the numbers too far back or it would look suspicious even if they weren't crooked. So therefore a graph was set up for how many miles should be on a car at a certain age. It went like this: If the car was five years old it probably should have at least 60,000 miles on it. According to my father once the numbers rolled over the potential customer knew the car had a lot of miles on it. So therefore in some cases such as this the odometer has to be turned up not turned back. A five-year old used automobile shouldn't have just 10,000 miles on it. However, there were times where you would run across a car with real low mileage. This was what daddy called a "true low mileage used car!" Believe me there is lots more next week!
Thanks for reading!
Captain Judy