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 13, 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)
Savannah Snapper Banks
Bottom fishing has been "Up and Down," but that's not unusual for the "hot times!" When you have bottom fishing on the mind that concentration on isolated areas are going to be your best bet. These areas are spots that we often call "fishing cities!" These spots offer all fish something from small to large feeding opportunity! In other words areas that offer "balance."
Jigging With the Butterflies!
Last week I had the opportunity to take a charter where the customer requested, "90 % jigging and 10% bait fishing!" I couldn't believe my ears I was going to get to give all of my new jigging techniques a serious try and get paid for it at the same time.
Firstly, let me introduce you to our jigging guests: Manabu Harad of Atlanta an accomplished fly fisherman and his visiting fishing friend from Japan of which prefers "jigging over all!" Both are businessmen that work hard and fish harder! The crew consisted of Captain Ali Young and me (Captain Judy)
After getting to know my customers I began asking exactly what they were looking for in a fishing trip such as this. The reason I asked this question was because quite often a customer wants to do one thing, but when it comes down to the actual fishing changes are made. It really doesn't matter. However, I do like to lay out even if only in my mind "a plan of attack." After all there is a lots more to fishing than just baiting your hook up. After finding out that they were 90% serious about this style of fishing I put my self in the "jigging alert mode!"
Just few Notes:
In Japan you have to get to in over 300 feet to even think about catching fish. When we arrive and started fishing in 100 feet there seem to be a little concern about the depth that I was fishing. After explaining out situation they definitely were happy, couldn't believe we caught fish in only 100 feet.
The tackle that they used was very nice. Mamabu's visiting friend from Japan pulled out this most interesting rod from a 2-foot case. The rod came in four parts. Once the rod was assembled it looked short, but very sturdy. His reel was one of those expensive type offshore spinning reels. It had a manual bail, which he worked with "finesse!" The line was yet another experience in more detain. The braided like line, which I had seen before, had a set colors in a pattern. According to what was told to me the color pattern changed every 3 feet and it also had notches that help to ascertain depth fished.
Captain Rick Reynolds of Miss Judy Charters has been using this line for quite some time. He has only good things to say about. Now that I have seen it in action I my self suggests giving it a try. Here's information that Captain Rick since me in regards to line: According to information received it's a polyethylene braid line that has almost "zero" stretch with maximum sensitivity. Its diameter is about a third of monofilament lines and the weight ratio is .98 lighter than water. This is the style of line that is a "plus" when fishing/casting further than 30 yards or just plain vertical fishing. For more information: About the line http://www.japantackle.com/Lines/Power_hunter.htm
tackle topics
http://www.japantackle.com/Topics/tackle_topics.htm
info specific about braided line how it is different.
http://www.japantackle.com/Topics/PE_braided_lines.htm
The Visitor from Japan had a very well oiled jigging technique. It was different from mind, which offered up me another way to jig and catch fish.
Japan's Technique
The jig was dropped all the way the bottom. Once it hit, the bail was locked, and the retrieving process began. He reeled the entire time while pulling up and dropping his rod. I watched as he retrieved his jig using this process all the way to the surface. This is a very good retrieving process, but it doesn't offer up much in keeping the lure in the strike zone. I watched him do this several times then I explained my technique, which goes like this:
Captain Judy's Jigging Technique
Firstly, there is an art to jigging. All fishermen develop what's comfortable for them, what they think works, and then they come up with their own style. Whatever the style that you as a fisherman develop "it must flow in a somewhat natural form." I have found my own technique and it has worked for me. It works for me; it attracts fish, which in turns gets me hits.
Before I go into my retrieval process I need to first give you some tips on you're above surface mode. You need to be situated over fish. When drifting I always pull my boat up current where I intend on dropping my lure. The location of my boat is determined by drift, wind, and what I am fishing over. The lure that you use is important, but not as important as where you jig it!
Let's assume that you are fishing in 100 feet of water at the Savannah snapper banks. This area is mostly made up of natural live bottom. Whether you are fishing large or small live bottom areas you most keep your lure in the strike zone. In other words, "where you have fish you have fish!" I use my fish finder to help me find the area in which to fish. I am normally looking for a ledge or hard bottom that is holding the attentions of some sort of upper water column bait. Nine times out of ten where you have some sort of structure along with bait build up "there are going to be larger fish."
Once you have located such area, I suggest fishing completely 360 degree around this area. The larger fish will stage on the out skirts feeding at will. The smaller fish always school together in hopes of warding off an attack by larger fish. However, we know as well as the fish know this is all part of how the food chain works: "the larger fish feeds on the smaller ones! (And so on!)
My Personal Jigging Technique
I drop my jig all the way to the bottom; once it lands I lock my bail, and start the retrieving process. I only reel up to what I think is right above where the bait is holding. Large fish as I said earlier "stage" then they eat. Once I reach this area I jig a bit and then drop right back down to the bottom. When I get a hit, but not a hookup I keep reeling then I release my jig so that it can fall directly/naturally back to the bottom. There is a reason to do this right after a hit.
Once a fish makes a hit, but misses and the bait keeps swimming off, the watching process begins. This is short time frame, but if you act quickly enough the fish that hit you will pick your jig up on the fall. The reason being is that it thinks that it has wounded its prey. Once a fish scores a hit but misses they pause if not for a moment. When doing this it allows them to see if they have stunned or killed their prey. It also conserves energy, which is very important to a fish, especially the larger ones.
Once hooked up don't forget to notice exactly in what direction that your fish goes. It's important to make a mental note of this. The reason being is that the hooked fish is always going to run to the structure for safety. However, where you might get the best opportunity to hook them up could be entirely different location. This means the larger fish might be schooling else where on the reef. I know all of this is craziness! However, all suggestions are like parts to a puzzle. Once used come together and offer up a great catching opportunity!
Miss Judy Charters