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
May 21, 2007
Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore
Inshore Suggestions
Trolling and Strolling Time of the year!
With fish making way especially at this time you really never actually know where they might be staging unless you look or you have been fishing everyday. Even those that fish everyday have trouble keeping up with the slippery things. All fish move with the food supply. Once finding it they either round it up or chase it down, which means making a move. With all of this being said, "looking could be in your future."
Trolling light tackle down the edge of a bank is going to be the number one way to find fish quicker. I'm not saying, "it's the only way, but it certainly will get the job done!" Trolling is best during the mid to high tide stage. During this time you will get the best chance to trolling baits closest to the "strike zone!" In other words, pick areas to pull your baits where you have pilings and covered over oyster rakes. As soon as you get a hit I suggest doing several things that is after you land that hooked up fish. Firstly you have the option of making a mental note and to keep on moving. Or stopping right then, anchoring, and then pitching to said holding spot. Either of these options will work as long as what you do doesn't disturb the fish's-feeding pattern. Another way to attack this scenario is to head directly away and into the deepest part of the place that you are fishing. I don't suggest changing your engine RPM's or your trolling motor's movement. The main thing that I am getting at is you don't want to disturb the "staging of the fish." If you pull away and them approach from the same direction as before you can successfully quietly anchor and float your bait quietly into the staging area. This is the best suggestion especially when you wanting to use popping of traditional float rigs.
Another way to attack this situation is to basically "shut down" and form up a drifting and pitching pattern. As long as all of this is done in the "quiet mode" the fish catching zone should be all yours. If none of these suggestions "appeal to your fishing fancy" I suggest "keep moving!" Heck, if there are fish in one spot I can assure you that there are probably more down the line! The rule of thumb when your find yourself in this situation is to make notes in your fishing logbook. You think that you will remember, but you probably won't! As time goes on you will find out the hard way that "memory sometimes doesn't serve you!"