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
September 17, 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)
Ripping with Red Fish!
This false-a-fied title leads you in absolutely the wrong direction. The subject is about "rips" and Red fish. During this time of the year "the big boys" (large spot tail bass) have taken to the ocean to spread their fins making "rips are worth watching!"
I have found most of my large bull reds holding in rips formed where there is clear water. Rips that are muddy don't seem to have much to offer the red fish. When heading out of the sound area I keep watching until I reach the "clearing water zone." This normally starts about 4 miles offshore from the barrier Islands. This distance could vary depending on the tide direction.
When I see a formed rip especially at this time of the year I like to take a "look-see!" The first thing that I do is to have ready a light tackle 20 pound test rod/reel set up with some sort of a semi-fast sinking jig attached. When it comes to the jig size I prefer using 3 to 6 ounces. The size of the jig normally is determined by the tackle use. When using straight monofilament line I tie my jig directly on to the main line. When using braided line I am using a 15 to 25 feet of fluorocarbon leader and then I tie the jig on.
My standard king rod/reel set up works just great for this type of presentation. This is not the only rod and reel combo to use it's just my preferred one when going with monofilament line. I have also list the rod and reel used with going with braided line.
Standard King Mackerel/bull red fish set up
Monofilament line
Rod: Shakespeare Ugly Stik Custom USCB 1170M 15-30 LB Reel: Shimano Speed master 6:1 super high speed Line: 20 pound test mono line. This is also a prefect rod/reel comb is good to use for my
Braided Line set up
Jigging Rod: TVC-70L length 7' SH1MINO 6:1 Speed Master IV reel loaded with 30 to 50 pound "Power pro" and 15 to 25 feet of fluorocarbon leader, then tie on jig.
The good news is that it's very possible especially at this time to find large schooling red fish in an offshore rip. The bad news is that not all rips will hold the interest of this fish. So therefore here's a few suggestions for getting your best chance at catching and not fishing certain rips.
As always any sort of birds along with some feeding activity is definitely a plus and worth looking into. However, there is a lot of bait at this time of the year. And I don't know about you but I can't stop at every rip to take a look-see, but if I could I would! When a rip looks fishy to me, I stop, adjust fish finder, and take a short ride on either side of the rip. Your fish find should be able to pick up any schooling activity taking place. Small baitfish show up as large irregular shapes in the mid water column. Large red fish show up as individual marks on the fish finder. In my case I have my fish finder reading "red" when there is any sort of fish below me. In my case "single red distinct dots,' normally means red fish below. I'm not talking about schools of baitfish scattered. You will mark solid red spots. In other words, "your transducer can't shoot through a solid mass as it can hundreds of bait fish swimming in a school!" When you see solid individual markings I suggest making a cast letting your lure "free fall!" If the fish are there they normally will hit the lure on the fall.
If you plan is to give this fishing a it's suggested that you have your tackle ready and in the hand of the fisherman that going to make the cast. The reason being is that once you locate the fish you need to deliver your lure fast. The reason being is that surface noise made by the boat as well as the engine quite often scatters the school In other words "always be ready to cast just in case the fish make a showing!"