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
April 9, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Live Fishing Reports by Captain Judy
WBMQ Radio 7:00 to 7:05 AM daily
Savannah, Georgia
Coastal Fishing with Captain Judy
TV Comcast Channel 7
Sunday 6:30, Tuesday 7:30, and Saturday 8:30
Inshore, offshore, and Gulf Stream Fishing Shorts
(For those that don't like to read a lot, longer version to follow)
INSHORE
Spotted trout
For the most part spotted sea trout were directly affected by the high to low tides this past week. The bite was triggered when the tide turned from high to out going. Trout were hungry with the bite being very strong. Bait used was live shrimp, mud minnows, and DOA lures. All baits, including the artificial ones worked while using them under popping corks. The leader between the cork and the bait worked best when it was around 4 feet. This meant that most all fish were caught in less than 6 feet of water. Shrimp pattern DOA lures also worked when tied directly to 10 to 12 pound test main line. Catching and retrieving was this ticket to this ride.
During the first of the week spotted sea trout were caught around the sounds. However, most solid catches were taken from rivers and creeks. Savannah River became quickly known for being one of the most populated spots for trout to feed. Catches reported from this area were large in size and lot of numbers! Heck, I saw the pictures and fish!
OFFSHORE
Artificial Reefs in less than 50 feet of water
Slow bite to no bite in regards to the black sea bass. Most fish caught were very small. Squid and fillet fish is going to be your best bait. There are still a few sheepsheads being caught, but I believe this bite is short lived. The top water fish should be arriving in just a few weeks. Some of the forerunners have already arrived. I had a few reports of large spot tail bass (red fish) being caught while doing standard bottom fishing. Please handle with care, don't take out of water, and release as carefully as you can.
Artificial Reef in 60 plus feet of water is offering the fisherman a lot of action. Nice size black sea bass are being caught in isolated areas around the reef. Low relief bottom (concrete, pallet balls, bridge parts, etc) is going to be your best spots to fish. King and Spanish mackerel have been caught in these areas. It's not a solid bite, but well worth a troll or setting out a live line. Best areas to target are going to be those spots that support some sort of high relief such as tugs and ships.
Savannah snapper banks live bottom areas are lined with schools of hungry bottom. Not all ledges or live bottom areas are active, but you can find action with just a little looking. Cigar minnows (live bait) are normally holding above these areas, which normally is your sign that there is probably life below. I suggest getting those gold hook bait rigs out and putting them to work. Cigar minnows make great live, cut, and fresh dead baits. I haven't met a fish that would turn one of these bait babies down!
The top water bite has been unusually good with some live bottom areas as well as the naval towers holding king mackerel, little tunny, and skipjack tuna. We have been catching most of these fish while trolling the standard 31/2 drone spoon. Long leaders behind the planers are the way to get the most action!
Don't be alarmed if you see dolphin (mahi mahi) come to your boat! It's best to be ready! I suggest having a line rigged and ready to go. A rig that you can grab quick, which will allow you to control cast, is going to be your best bet. Those live cigar minnows swimming around singularly hooked, thrown overboard makes great dolphin getters! Chum or not is the question? When the school of dolphin arrives some fishermen throw a hand full of cut bait out to get them to feeding. However, it has been ascertained by me that the first initial feeding might be the last. I suggest making your first chum the bait that attached to your hook! There are several things to do to get their attention without feeding them: light spraying of you wash down hose up to air making ripple like conditions on the surface looking like schooling bait fish. Flipping the tip of you rod back and forth in the water causing a short vapor trail sometimes gets their attention. Throwing in a towel that's tied to the boat will also work for the moment giving you time to bait up!
Gulf Stream Shorts
The bite has started with "just like the train coming down the tracks, which boils down to strong and hard!" It's time to go, but if you don't find the blue water edge, please don't panic. Pick a ledge such as the South, Deli, or Triple ledge to drag those baits. The bite has been "ON" for Wahoo and black fin tuna. There have been some dolphin caught, but it's not as good as it "going to get!"
Now Comes the Longer Version of this week's fishing report!
Inshore Fishing or Offshore Suggestions
I am always suggesting keeping a logbook with as many entries as possible about any fishing day. Believe me, you think that you will remember what you did on a certain fish day, but you won't! I have many years of inshore and offshore fishing records. The fact of the matter is that it makes my fish day a lot easier to knowing what might be biting when, where, and why. To some this might sound like a lot of trouble, but believe me in the long run you won't think so! The good news is that it's never to late to start. So I suggest making 2007 fishing year pack to start now!
Here's a secret to the whole just of things. You don't have to limit your logbook to just your fishing entries. I certainly don't. I talk to a lot of fishermen, listen to the chatter on my marine radio, and basically watch the catches that are brought in at our dock. I also ask methods in which the fish were caught, time when the bite was the best, and basic area.
Lets talk about catching methods
There are all kinds of methods that you can use for catching fish, but lets narrow it down a bit. For inshore your options are simple. Bottom fishing, which is the simplest of all types of fishing, can work when targeting any fish. All you need is a little weight, hook/hooks, and bait. As with any type of fishing there are subtractions and additions that make these techniques work better. Simple bottom fishing can be changed to mid-column fishing simply by removing the weight. Once the weight is removed especially when using live bait, your options in the catching department are increased. This is due to the fact your bait now is more flexible meaning it's being subjected to more that than just the bottom bite.
Another style of fishing is called "float fishing." This technique is quite popular with the fishermen and also gets the attentions of the fish. This style of fishing regulates exactly where you want to suspense your bait. There are those floats that you can adjust your depth "quick fashion" and those that don't offer these options. It's not about the float you use, but whether the depth in which you think that the fish are holding.
The trolling sector when fishing is also a great invention. All this techniques boils down to is the fact that you keep your bait moving. This allows you to cover a lot of area, which gives you an upper hand in finding a fish. The good news is once you find the fish your options are many. Firstly, you can keep trolling in the general area or you can stop and drop!
These fishing methods that I have talked about shouldn't be limited to certain areas. It's really not about inshore or offshore waters, it about what a fish wants when it's hungry! I have caught, as many fish doing things that you wouldn't think would work as I have when I go "traditional!" It called "thinking outside of the fish catching box!"
Inshore Catching
Last week's " BITE" proved to be good in some places and not so good in others. As you all know that's fishing. However, for those that want to find themselves in those spots that are holding fish I suggest that you slow down and fish a little longer. There were some really nice trout caught this pass weekend. However, not all boats produced catches that fell into this "catch zone!" During this time fish are definitely on the move, because their desired food isn't that plentiful. There is an upside and a downside to this dilemma. With our creeks, rivers, and sounds not being the preferred places for bait, at least not as of yet, feeding pattern is almost non-existence. With that being said, "fish in areas where you have caught fish in the past." Live shrimp as well as the old stand by mud minnows worked this past week. I did have some fishermen report that once finding a bite they stay a little longer even after the fish stop hitting just in case. The rule of thumb especially at this time is to be flexible, pre-pick spots, and stick to your plan!
Captain "Wild Bill" Yellow Bluff Inshore Fishing Report!"
Captain "Wild Bill" shares a few ideas that are definitely worth considering. According to this suggestion live bait used under floats whether it's shrimp, finger mullet or mud minnows work great. It's a known fact that live bait offers a more natural smell and attraction, which can't be denied by a hungry fish. Captain "Wild" Bill's goal is to tempt fish through the liveliness of the bait used. With this being said, "keep you live bait as lively as possible!"
Keep your bait as healthy as possible is only part of the process for getting a solid bite. The tackle used needs to be as light as possible. Over whelming tackle such as too large of hooks or leaders, hindered the natural movement of your baitfish. He suggests using thin tined hooks. According to Captain "Wild" Bill the more movement you get out of your hooked bait the better. When hung in structure these hooks bend allowing you to retrieve your rig. The good new is that they can be bent right back into usable shape!
Captain "Wild" Bill's hook of choice is an Eagle Claw #202, gold 4/0 Aberdeen. He has found that it works great and he has used them for of 14 years without regrets. According to Bill the 3/0 Aberdeen is easier to find, and works great too. He had been able to successfully land large fish when using thin tined hook by adjusting his drag accordingly.
Inshore Fishing Report
Captain Jack's McGowan Straight from the helm!
Fishing has been pretty good! The sea trout have provided the best action. Sea trout can be found in the creeks and rivers. Don Adams, Adams Bait House, has been able to find shrimp south of Savannah. These shrimp are white shrimp that have made it through the winter. Most of these shrimp have been large but subsequent drags have produced smaller shrimp. Super large aren't a very good bait for trout fishing. Super large shrimp are best for frying up and eating. Anticipate shrimp to become scare in the coming weeks as white shrimp move to the sounds. Brown shrimp will appear around the 1st of June. Sea trout will also take a wide variety of plastics. The criteria are often those baits that provide "lots of flash." Sea trout are primary sight feeders. Bright colors are usually the best. When in doubt fish a "white Berkley gulp style bait." Redfish can be found on or around mud flats. A good indicator of when to fish for reds is when bait shows up. High outgoing can be a prime time to target reds as they feed on mullet coming out grass. Another prime time is towards low tide just as the current slows. Hard fast moving water is less fishy for reds. Looks for slower currents, clean water and bait fish.
Last Saturday Captain "Wild Bill" Jarrell and I fished in the Savannah Redfish Tour (artificial only) Tournament. Lots of fancy go fast boats. Quite a spectacle! I believe there were 41 boats. My understanding is these tournaments are only going to become more popular in the coming years. I believe about half the boats produced a goose egg. The other half turned in some nice fish. The good news is none of these were killed. We finished 4th with two 23 inch fish weighting 9.37 pounds. Tournaments can and do provide opportunities to reacquaint with old friends and making new friends. As fishing for redfish becomes more popular, practicing catch and release will become important! Encourage your friends to do likewise.
Water is in the mid sixties. Whiting and sharks are in the sounds but a strong southeast wind this week has made fishing around the bars sloppy. When fishermen have ducked out of wind fish can be caught but the bite has only been fair. As conditions continue to improve the whiting/shark bite will heat up! Good Fishing from Captain Jack!
Offshore Artificial Reefs
I'm a true blue saltwater fisherman! The reason being is that you really never know what you might catch when you drop that old baited hook! At this time of the year it especially good for not knowing! This is due to the fact that most fish are migrating somewhere. As this normal occurrence takes place some fish move on while others become residents of the area. The brings me to the subject of "resident and non resident fish!" At first these two different classes of fish are just about the same. At least until they get "in step" with their current environment. For one thing their color start to changes to the area in which they are holding. So therefore fish that came from clearer offshore waters to the darker colors will slowly make the color change so as to blend in better. The fish that stay will also adapt for survival to the design of the area. For instance, if it's a wreck of sorts, the enter bowels will become their safe haven. This means feeding outside of this area as time goes on will only be while in the quick mode! The best way to land a fish like this is to disorient them when in the retrieval process. This is preformed merely by slowing moving your rod "side to side' while reeling. Once the fish is confused with it directions toward the safe zone your landing opportunity will be much better.
These areas offer a great resource for fisherman to catch fish and for fish to find food as well as shelter. Fishermen need to keep in mind that when fishing these areas that it's best to have a "reef blue print" so that you will know what you are fishing over. Once arrival to fishing area I suggest having coordinates down that you plan on fishing. You need to remember that an artificial reef mostly likely will have hungry fish, but sometimes finding those that are feeding is a little tough. Be prepared to move until you hit the "feeding zone!"
Offshore Savannah Banks
I basically love the springtime of the year, because it's "all good!" The live bottom areas of the snapper banks has so much to offer the fisherman that I really don't know where to start, but as you already I know I will find my way! Bottom fishing comes to mind first, because dropping of the baited hook normally produces fish bites! It might not be the exact fish you are looking for, but you will catch something for sure!
For instance: Even though it was too early in the season for top water fish I was marking what looked like them, starting fishing for them, and starting catching them. So therefore top water fish such as dolphin, king mackerel, skip jack tuna, and little tunny are holding in this area. Most fish were caught trolling 31/2-inch drone spoons at around 7 knots.
Freshies Suggestions
The Worm Story
Over the years I have made this statement many times, "worms don't have absolutely no way of making way!" This boils down to the fact that "propelling fins are available!" I think you got the point. They are basically snake shaped. They can swim, but not like a fish. So therefore to get a fish's attention such as a large mouth bass your artificial worm used must fit into these listed criteria: It has to feel soft to the bite. The best way to put this is as "natural a feel as possible." The color that you used should match the area in which you are fishing. It's a known fact that those creatures that stay in a certain area for any length of time their coloring changes to adapt to their surrounding. Now that was a mouth full! So therefore select bait in this case a plastic worm color that is going to match the color design.
The working of a worm when it's hooked to your line has to be shuttle as possible. It has been noted by many a successful fisherman that the larger large mouth bass picks up what they are going eat rather than "slam it" as the smaller ones are known for. (Another mouth full!) You as the holder of the rod must decided especially knowing this about the fish, when to set the hook hard. The retrieval process for the plastic worm should be slow and if that doesn't work go "slower!" I suggest if you have a bass to pick your worm up in the first place, but drops it seconds after, it might come back. At this point, I suggest giving this fish "free rein!" After the entire fragile make up of a worm doesn't make them strong at all. So therefore once the fish hits at it or picks it up momentarily, your bait should simply be allowed to just lay so as to play "darn dead worm!"
Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!"
Remedies Ahoy!
I found this letter that my father wrote to "Proctor and Gamble." I wish I had kept it, but I didn't. Here's the just of the letter that my father wrote. The letter was address to "Proctor and Gamble." He had written to them about their wonderful toothpaste. As well as I can remember I think it was about their "Colgate tooth paste." His letter stated that their product was the best he had ever used, but he wasn't talking about brushing his teeth. The subject matter was about his feet or should I say, "his toes." The letter stated that the toothpaste not only worked on his teeth, but also helped in the cooling department. Get ready for this last statement, because it's a good one. He put a generous amount of "Colgate tooth paste" in the toe of each of his shoes, which supposedly according to him did a great job of cooling his feet! At the time I read this letter I didn't think too much about it because my father used all sorts of unconventional remedies to cure his aliments and other problems.
One of my most favorites was the spraying of "WD 40" on his joints. According to daddy this liquid was a penetrating lubricate. I have to admit I did read the can and it stated that for a fact. However, the instructions on the can stated that it was best used on froze-up metal parts. At this time I'm not sure how or why my father came to use it on his aching joints. The fact of the matter is that it had to have worked, because he ran a charter boat till he was around 80 year old.
Another one of my father favorite off-the-wall remedies was the drinking of "apple cider vinegar." According to my father generous amounts of vinegar added to your food or drink gives off some sort of "AURA," which keeps red bugs away. I have to admit with this so-called remedy I never knew him to actually have red bugs and he was in the woods hunting a lot. He also stated that "apple cider vinegar" would help preserve his insides, which I can't deny this statement, because he live to be 93 years old. Now that I think about it he poured vinegar on almost anything that he ate.
My father always had a favorite pet, which was most of the time a dog. His dogs were outside most of the time running in the marsh and swimming in the river. They were always healthy, because he fed them "Alpo." According to him this was at the time the best quality of dog food on the market. As he got older he decided that if it was good enough for the dog it was good enough for him! I won't to go into great detail about this last statement. I will say, "once again we can't rule out the fact that this might be true, because he always just as healthy as his dog!"
My father wasn't much of a salad eater. However, we did purchase a lot of this green stuff. According to my father one large leaf of lettuce put inside your cap would keep your head cool. When he got older his cap must have been too heavy, because he changed up. He started using handkerchiefs with all four corners tied in a knot. The knots tied on the ends helped balance it on his head. Not only that, but it provide a better pocket for him to place his so-called cooling leaf of lettuce.
I could go on, but I'm sure that this subject matter has gotten me by for the moment especially in the "attention getting category!" For all of you readers out there that don't believe this stuff that I am writing about my father I have one thing to say, "I'm certainly not making this stuff up, because I'm truly not that creative!" The fact of the matter is to write about this sort of stuff you almost have had to live it! In my case I did live it, enjoyed it, and hope the subject matter never leaves my memory banks!
Here's my line now bite my hook!
Captain Judy
"Fishing Physic!"