CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
'Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956'
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921
912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
July 28, 2008
Happy Fish Day!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and 'Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Offshore King Mackerel Report
During this time of the year large king mackerel also known as 'Smokers' make they're way to the beachfronts. It's has been said for years that they are here for the spawning season. According my father, the king's cousins 'Spanish mackerel' always spawns around or a little after August 9 every year. According to his theory they were hungry before and after. However, they stayed on the surface more after the actual spawning than they did before.
Our boats have been catching quite a few Spanish and most all have been full of roe. Last year around mid-August they were roe free. I can't wait to see if Daddy 'rule of thumb' when it comes to the ways of a Spanish mackerel still hold true. I know I am getting out there, but if you have been reading my reports long, I always reel myself back in!
Back in the old days, large king mackerel were always seen jumping in the Savannah Shipping Channel. Since this was the route that Captain Helmey's Charter Boat Company ran for many years, we really saw a lot of this sky rocketing Smoker King Mackerel! Daddy always said, 'Big fish like this aren't really jumping on purpose!' According to his theory this is what happens sometimes when a big smoker king attacks what it's going to eat. If their prey being stalked is near the surface, after the assault they will become airborne of sure!
When making their advance to the beachfronts this fish has to eat and eat a lot. Not only are they carrying precious cargo within, but also to sustain a big fish's weight like this it takes lots of feeding. My father used to say, 'they didn't get that big being stupid!' When a big king mackerel attacks what it's going to eat it done so with force. The reason being is that they are going to hit the largest bait that they feel comfortable with, because in their big brown eyes, 'one good kill is a fill!' A smart fish's goal is to eat as much as they can while using the least amount of energy.
With all this being said, 'larger baits especially during this time of the year are prefect to use when targeting a large king mackerel bite. Now you must keep in mind, that last statement leads into the fact that you are only targeting large fish. This means your opportunity to catch won't be a good as it would if you were trying to catch any size king.
Let get this out of the way up front in this article. You can catch large fish such as king mackerel on light tackle. It's done all of the time. However, if you take a poll of how many large fish were never properly hooked up, because they basically destroyed the rig used, you would understand this fishing dilemma. The dilemma that I am talking about is do you want to just wait for that big hook up or do you just want to fish for what's going to bite? Let assume, since this article is about large fish only that you want to go into this targeting mode.
Best Way to Target a Smoker King Mackerel
Lets get the baits used suggestions out of the way. The bottom line to targeting a large king mackerel is the bait. You have to use the right bait or you might as well not be fishing at all especially when you are big fish the targeting mode. Since I doing most of my fishing in and around the coastal and offshore waters near Savannah, Georgia I will offer you up a great catching scenario. Please be advised that these theories will work in other areas!
When it comes to bait and it's availability a king mackerel eats what's most available. During this time we have Spanish mackerel, blue fish, bar jacks, (These bait fish might be called blue runners by some. I know I called them that for years!), ocean pogies, and large mullet. These baits that I have listed fall into what I would call 'larger baits used' category.
We also are fortunate enough to have a regime of small baits also. The ones that fall into this category are, Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, big eye shad, Jack mackerel, Boston Mackerel, and thread fin herring. These baits will work as long as those that fit in the larger category aren't available. Since they are at this time of the year I suggest when available going with the larger baits.
Here are a few places to catch these larger baits
During this time we have lots of surface baits schooling up near shore. If you go with the theory that they are herded here on purpose by the larger fish or it's time for them to migrate to the near shore waters you could be right on both accounts. Fish are where fish are bringing to light, the chicken or the egg theory alive once again! In this case, which fish do what first and where?
The larger bait such as the bar jack have been being caught for about two months at the DUA artificial reef, which is located less than 10 miles off the barrier islands. This artificial reef would have nothing to offer a big king mackerel at least most of the time. However, since the arrival of the bar jacks a few 40 pound plus king mackerel were caught in this area in the last few weeks.
A few weeks ago while heading out to the Savannah Snapper Banks and about 5 miles offshore, I happen to see a school of something on the surface. I stopped and quickly dropped my gold hook Sabiki rigs. My customers immediately hooked up and reeled in some nice bar jacks. We removed the bait, re-dropped, hooked up, and then as soon they started reeling in something large hit the bait.
Whatever it was hit the bait so fast that it cut the fish in half. The light gold hook Sabiki rig didn't break. The fisherman reeled in half a baitfish. It was a clean cut, not jagged or ripped. I knew at first notice that it was for sure a serious smoker king mackerel hit.
I could have quickly rigged up and most likely got some serious big fish action. I didn't'but if I had, I most likely would have hooked up for sure. The reason I am telling you this story is, because this situation would have been great for a big fishhook up opportunity! In other words 'fish here for bait and the big boys!' This scenario would be a perfect area to work for a large fishhook up. The reason being is in this case the only thing holding these baits together are those fish on the outskirts, which are most likely big king mackerel!
Lets Talk About Best Rig Used For King Mackerel
As I said earlier, big fish hit big bait with much force. This boils down to light tackle might not get the job done especially at this time of the year when feeding hard is the 'NORM!'
Light tackle rigs are used and work well when small baits are used. It has been said as well as proven that king mackerel have keen eyesight. This is a very true statement. However, when a big king gets ready to eat tackle used isn't what this fish is going to be looking at. The rig used doesn't need to hinder the baitfish's natural movement, but it has to be strong enough to survive a direct hit from a large king mackerel's sharp strong teeth.
My suggestion especially if you have a few large live baits that you might consider use the two different rigging methods meaning one light and one heavy. Believe me if there is a big fish in the area it will let you know for sure. It has always been my father's and now my personal to go with a big rig with big bait. The largest king that I have ever caught was well over 60 pounds. It was caught on a day old whole Spanish mackerel. When I rigged this bait up I put so many large treble hooks into rig made with 100-pound single strand wire that it was almost embarrassing. However, when that particular bait went into the water I was only looking for a big hook up not a small one for sure! As luck would have it, 'we scored and in a big sixty pound way!'
Lets Talk About Big Rig Used
At this point, basically I am talking about a big fish catching situation only! I'm not going to say a smaller fish won't hit it I'm just saying, 'This is the recipe for a big king fish rig when using big running baits!' The only thing I can tell you about rigs, which is about as concrete as it can get is this: It's up the fisherman to decide which rigs matches the bait use. You have to be practical, because if you aren't no hits will be received. The best thing I can tell you is that when you select what kind of rig that you are going to use that you go with one that doesn't over power your bait used.
The bottom line to heavy rigs used is that it doesn't take too much life out of your bait used. For example: Lets assume that you are using a large 10-inch plus blue runner as bait. This is hardy bait, it lasts a long time, and can carry a large rig for a while. With that being said here's the rig I suggest:
I like to go with 40 to 60 pound test single strand wire. Some fishermen prefer using coated 7-strand wire, which does work. However, I'm a single strand wire fisherman. As you know back in the old days that's all we had so we learn how to use it gracefully! The lighter the wire the better, but you need to keep in mind those Smoker King Mackerel Teeth. I like to go with around 40 pounds test in my wire. I take a four-foot piece of wire and make this my leader length. The end attached to the main line can be done several ways: You can use a small but strong swivel or a haywire twist. Both will work. The main thing to remember is to tie main line directly on to the swivel or haywire twist. This means snap swivels shouldn't be used. You don't want they big fish for one moment to sway his head to look at this thing called a swivel. If it does your fish might become 'foul hooked!'
I use a small 60-pound test swivel, 4 feet of 40 pound test single strand wire, and now for the hooks attached. The first hook should be what is called a live bait hook. These hooks have a short shank, which allows the live bait to still work lively enough. It also doesn't put too much drag on the bait. I normally use a #4 or #6 live bait hook. When I select a hook to use for any particular fish it has to feel right for me. It's hard to explain; when I am making rigs I always make some with different size hooks. The reason being on any particular day larger fish might be playing 'Cat and Mouse Game.' This is where the big fish looks hard at your bait, hits it, but really doesn't take it. This is when you have to downsize everything and go back to the standard light tackle rig.
The last hook is called the stinger hook, which what I call the most important one. We do have on board those small extra strong and sharp #4 or #6 treble hooks. They will work. However, when talking about a big fish such as this you need to go with a large treble hook, because you want staying as well as strong holding power. I prefer using a 1/0 or 2/0 regular shank treble hook.
The size baitfish determines the length of wire leader used between the live bait hook and the treble hook. When a big king hits its intended meal it normally takes the back half of the baitfish off, which is normally the fish's first mouth full. However, the bigger the fish the more it will take on one pass. If the king cuts the bait in half, missing the stinger hook the bait should start to fall in the water column. At this point, you should be ready to do a little free spooling.
The stinger hook should be placed on either side of the baitfish between the dorsal fin and tail section. This way if the fish hits your bait and cuts it in half both pieces with still have a hook in them. As far as drag set, it's suggested that when you are using larger hooks to set the drag more than you would with smaller hooks. The reason being is that it's harder to rip the larger hooks from the baitfish than the smaller one. So therefore tighter drags are the norm with large hooks used!