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
June 11, 2007
Freshies Report
Matthew Canipe (Age 12) Part One!
Every now and then I think it's time to set the record straight when it comes to my special fresh water fishing reports. As you all know I am basically a saltwater fisherman that loves to also occasionally fish the freshwater stuff. Although I don't get to do it as much as I like I am still in touch with the freshwater bite zone. The reason being is I am continuously taking fresh water fishermen fishing! With that being said, "we talk and they share some of their most treasured freshwater catching techniques. After all a "fish is a fish is a fish!"
This past week I was fortunate enough to meet as well take saltwater fishing the fishing team of Mathew (age 12) and his father Harold Canipe. Don Taylor, which is Mathew's grandfather, was also part of the fishing team. After talking with them for only a few moments I knew I had some really good fresh water fishermen on board. This is just about when we started exchanging story after story. The first story I would like to share would be the one of those that sends a serious message to those reading it. It went something like this and I have named this story……
"Matthew Canipe Two Fives, One Six and a Seven Pounder
Since this is an article about freshwater fishing you probably have already guessed I am talking about large mouth bass. Hence the story begins: Mathew and his father Harold set out on a soon to be one of those fish catching days that won't soon forget! The area fished was a private pond located somewhere in South Carolina. This area was supposedly holding some pretty nice size large mouth bass. As usual bets were made and apprehensions were on the very high side!
The tackle used was standard light gear, which was loaded with 10 to 12 pound test line. The bait for the day was a plastic worm named "Trick!" I haven't ever used this worm, but according to the story it's put out by "Zoom." It's a black 6-inch worm that self-sinks. The good news is that you don't have to use any sort of weight with it. The worm hook used normally aids in taking it naturally to the bottom. All this boils down to is the fact that this manufacture has designed this worm to fall to the bottom as if it's the real thing thus acquiring its rightful name "trick!"
Here's an interesting side bar: My (Captain Judy) nickname in the ocean is "Trick" and Captain Ali (my first mate for over thirty years) is called "Sneak!" Thus we are called "Trick and Sneak!" Had to throw that in there!
Matthew's father Harold landed the first, second, and third fish. These fish were caught while using the more aggressive worm moves. This means that Harold moved the worm quickly letting it only "settle a bit" before retrieving it. The two fives, and one six pound fish gladly hit the aggressive style retrieve, which all took place at the end of Matthew's father rod.
It's a known fact that the smaller bass such as these sizes listed are more aggressive than the large ones. It has been proven that the larger, large mouth bass take longer periods of watching before eating. With that being said the seven-pound bass that was eventually caught by Matthew was apparently there watching the entire time as the smaller fish had a field day attacking the "aggressively worked worm." I didn't mean to "spill the beans," about Matthew catching the larger fish, but it had to come out sooner or later.
The fishing "Duo" worked the pond by paddling all over the edges catching the smaller fish. When good old dad got tired of paddling it was decided by both that they would just anchor in the deepest part and fish that area. This is just about where the moral of this story got born. As I said earlier they worked the edges catching smaller large mouth bass. As soon as they move to the middle of the pond Matthew started working his un-touched worm. This is just about the time when the larger seven-pound bass took him up on his bait offering.
If I had to guess it would seem that the larger bass has been watching as they paddled and circled the outer edges of the pond. Apparently keeping a strong eye on what exactly was going on, which was pitching and casting as they moved. As soon as they stopped and did something different the larger bite happened! Matthew, having not caught a fish much less gotten any sort of bite was determined that he was going to get "hooked up." It was he that knew from past experiences that the larger/older the fish the smarter they become! His method of retrieving was so slow that it really did act like a real worm. As you know in the case of a real worm they are never in a hurry to get anywhere! The moral of this story especially in Matthew's case is a simple one and it goes something like this: "When using a so called trick worm as your lure it's necessary to make it act like a real one" and that's exactly what Matthew did!" Now you know the rest of the story!
*Next week I will re-introduce you to Matthew's grandfather, Don Taylor. He also has a lot to offer us freshwater fishermen. Believe me you won't want to miss next week's story!