Captain Judy Helmey
Miss Judy Charters
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956!"
124 Palmetto Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31410
912 897 4921 or 912 897 3460 fax
www.missjudycharters.com
September 29, 2008
Happy Fish Day!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Inshore Fishing Report
Captain Jack McGowan's take on what to do when the Northeast Winds Blows. This all boils down to knowing your Fishing Options!
Sep 25, 2008
The weather has been bumpy! Big tides and persistent strong north, northeast, northwest winds have made conditions challenging. It's possible to catch fish in less than ideal conditions just more problematic. What to look for? First, try fishing protected water. In short get out of the wind. If fishing protected water is not working try putting the wind at your back and fish wind driven grass lines where bait could be pushed in. Redfish are plentiful! Most of these fish are still a little under sized but some keepers are showing up as well (14 inch GA size).
Large red are on the prowl as well so don't think all you're going to catch are small fish. The bait of choice is shrimp. Shrimp are plentiful! Big tides can drive shrimp from the creeks and river into the sounds. Banks that were holding lots of shrimp a week ago can be void of today. River and creeks that have current pulling from two directions are more likely to hold shrimp. River and creeks with a direct flow to the sound are more likely during big tides to be washed out. Persistent winds have created higher than expected tides, holding water and causing conditions to appear more brackish than normal.
Despite challenging conditions good fish can be caught! When a low-pressure system finally works through fishing should be good. Indications were strong before the fronts. Good catches of large sea trout and tarpon were thick on the outer bars along with some good redfish action. Those venturing into the wind can catch some nice fish!
For sea trout if traditional popping corks rigs don't work try fishing deeper. There are lots of reports of small sea trout. Fish that are almost legal will be keeper size in a few weeks! Black drum bite has been good to excellent. Black drum love wood, so fish dock piling, snags, dead trees anything with wood. There has been some sheepshead action. Sheepshead can be found close to pilings or hanging on oyster-covered points. Both black drum and sheepshead can be a light biting fish. When fishing a shrimp one trick is to tail hook the bait and crush the head. Good whiting action near the sounds when the sounds have been calm enough to fish.
Tides have been unusually high due to strong north, northeast winds. Anticipate big water to remain till fronts work through. Conditions are challenging. Lots of small fish or as Miss Judy would say lots of "fetish fish." These are little fish that specialize in stealing bait and quick! Just because you're out of the wind, you've found clean water doesn't mean you are going catch bigger fish.
On one recent trip while waiting before picking up at Miss Judy's dock I noticed lots of finger mullet working a point. In about three casts I had about four dozen finger mullet. Several were flung off during the day, but several enticed a nice fish! As baitfish this is great bait and they provide a big plus in catching some nice fish. Big sea trout and redfish love finger mullet. A piece of cut mullet is also a great bait!
Hope this of help! Anticipate dicey conditions until fronts work through. If the opportunity avails itself put some finger mullet in your bait well it might save the day!
Good fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan