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
July 2, 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)
HAPPY FISHING FOURTH OF JULY!
Near and Offshore Artificial Reefs
This is a good time for all/any fisherman that wants to give a shot at basic live lining, slow trolling, or just plain trolling with artificial baits. The good news about this time of the year is the fact that there are plenty fish with teeth out there willing to hit your bait. Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, little tunny, barracuda, and cobia are the first that come to mind. However, during this time there have reported catches throughout the years for yellow fin tuna, black fin tuna, Wahoo, and dolphin. These as you know are basically what I call our blue water fish. During this time of the year any of these fish can be found anywhere that there is water for them to swim in. All fish follow the bait and the bait is in the moving mode. I always tell my customers that these blue water fish are what is called "our possible by-catch for the day!" After all it's the ocean, all waters are just about the same temperature, and fish got to eat wherever they are!
Some are Hot while others are not!
I do need to add that the artificial reefs located in 55 feet plus water are the ones that are holding the most fish catching action. The reefs from beachfronts to around 6 miles off have not been holding as many fish. The further off artificial reefs have been holding bait and fish. Bait availability in the closer reefs isn't as profound. In this case instead of "fish bite least when wind is out of the east." We have got "go east so as to forget the least bite opportunity!" We did catch a few fish in the closure in areas, but for the most part all was slow. My suggestion is that if you do go, head on out and get into a little deeper water. The "Hotspots" have been artificial reefs "L Buoy, CCA Buoy, and J Buoy."
Sabiki Rigs/Gold Hook Bait Rigs
These are those bait rigs that are the ever popular with the fishermen and the fish. It still amazes me how well these rigs work in the catching department. You have to admit small gold hooks with dried fish skin shouldn't be this popular. However, they are. I soaked one of my rigs and after taking a smell my nose quickly understood why they are so popular with the fish. These rigs offer both visual and smell attractants. After all how can you lose?
At any rate, these are the rigs that you need to catch the bait that you need to get your best shot at hooking up a big bottom fish especially at this time of the year. These rigs are also what you need to get yourself some bait so as the live line or slow troll at this time of the year. Normally I would suggest only carrying a couple. However, during this time when there are so many large fish on the "feeding prowl" these gold hold rigs don't last too long. Once a baitfish gets on the hook the distress signals start to fly. Having what we call " stringer full of bait" sends out so many signals that fish comes for miles to eat them. Large fast feeding fish such as a barracuda, Spanish or king mackerel will attack at once. So therefore when you hook up any bait whether it's one or a whole stringer full you had best pull your rig in, because it won't last long. Please don't forget to soak your sinkers in saltwater or a mild solution of water/vinegar. Soaking dulls the sinkers. Shinny sinkers don't last too long in this environment!
Normally I would suggest heading to one of the artificial reef buoys or some of the high underwater structure to get your best chance at catching bait. Believe me, these are good spots to catch bait. However, the bait populations aren't of the norm at least this year. So therefore, while I am heading out to the snapper banks I keep one eye on the fish finder looking for any sort of bait markings. If I don't happen to see any while riding I always stop in between the CCA and L Buoy for a short "drift-a-thon," which normally does catch me some bait. While drifting and I do catch some bait, I write GPS coordinates down. This number will be where I will start my next drift pattern. I also note any other bite coordinates down while in the drifting mode. You will be surprised that over the course of a few days the bait normally can be found in just about the same place.
*If you have any time where you are catching the bait I suggest pulling out free-style bait. This is bait hooked up without any sort of skirting or weight. The hook up bait seeks the same depth, which is just about where any larger fish are staging. "Fishing while fishing!" You know the old saying, "where there is fish there is fish!"