Captain Judy Helmey
Miss Judy Charters
'Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956!'
124 Palmetto Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31410
912 897 4921 or 912 897 3460 fax
www.missjudycharters.com
September 15, 2008
Happy Fish Day!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and 'Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Captain Jack McGowan personal Inshore fishing report
When it comes to inshore fishing Captain Jack has been at it for quite a while. He has a way with the inshore fish and seems to know where there are supposed to be at any given time. It's one thing to just fish, but when you know where they are it certainly does give you a better bite opportunity!
Sep 11, 2008
Fishing has been good up and down the coast! Good catches of sea trout have been good south of Savannah. Good redfish and black drum action in the Savannah area as well as north of Savannah. Some flounder, but the flounder bite appears to have slowed. The whiting bite has been good in the rivers around Savannah. Shrimp are plentiful, but on the move. Shorelines that are holding plenty of shrimp one day can be empty the next. Typically when a caster find shrimp it only takes a few minutes to boat several quarts. The shrimp are still a little on the small side for eating but ideal for fishing. Good schools of mullets can be seen in local creeks and rivers. Mullet are excellent bait for big sea trout and redfish! When the opportunity avails itself don't pass up putting a few mullet in your live well! Sea trout action has been fair with some large trout as well small trout in the mix. Most of the action this past couple of weeks has been with black drum and redfish. There are lots of small redfish in the inch to half inch under size with a few of this year's fish already 14 to 15 inches.
Good schools of redfish 20 to 29 inches with even reports of a few ocean sized redfish coming into the backwaters. As bait pushes in anticipate the fall bite to heat up! Luckily we on the Georgia coast have missed the brunt of the storms for the past few weeks. Lots of clean water despite higher than normal tides and lots of wind. Fishing has been good with catches in the sounds, in the river and the creeks. Lots of trash fish: pinfish, needlefish, yellow tails to name a few. Having an ample supply of bait when fishing this time of year is a good idea! Live bait, artificial, and cut bait will work. Sometimes cut bait can produce a better fish than a shrimp. The idea is bigger fish feed on fish. When jig fishing stay in touch with your jig or you'll leave lots jigs in the fish. Trying to remove a jig from deep inside a sea trout or redfish will result in killing the fish almost every time. Cut your line as close to jig as possible and release the fish. The fish has a much better chance working the jig through its digestive system than yanking it out. When you feel a bump set the hook. Missing a few fish is preferable to leaving lots of jigs in fish. When jig fishing you need to stay on your game. As soon the jig touches the water you need to be prepared to set the hook. The bait can be hot! One trip we caught three redfish with nothing on the jig, not bait, not a plastic (one of the fish was a keeper). When the bite is on a delayed reaction this normally will mean the fish will swallow the jig down to its crushers. You want to enjoy the fish and treat them as gently as possible. Fish engulfing your jigs means you need to tighten your game.
The bite has been good if not great! Several times we could have loaded the boat. To the credit of those on board we've only taken some that going to be quickly eaten. Seafood is best fresh. Usually once fish or game is in the freezer it's quickly forgotten. Most inshore trips should be viewed as an adventure rather than loading the boat. Yes catching quality fish is possible but most fish need to be released.
Tides are continuing to build throughout the week but will remain in the good range through the weekend. As tides build sea trout bite will likely pick up. Despite wind and rain fishermen should be able to find plenty of clean water. Redfish, black drum, sheepshead will likely be good. Sea trout action will likely pick up as drifts improve.
Hope this of help! Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan