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 15, 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)
Savannah River Channel
Small Boat Big Fish Opportunity!
This area becomes, especially during this time frame the spot to target smoker king mackerel! During mid July till about the end of September king mackerel find this area a great spot to feed and stage. Some of the biggest monster fish that have ever been caught been landed in this area. The Savannah River Channel also known as "Tybee Roads" has a unique situation. The deepest part of the channel is about 60 feet. On both sides of the channel it shallows up quickly. The main depth of the channel is 55 to 60 at deepest part. As you troll each side back and forth you will find that the edges (outside of the channel) can shallow up to as 10 foot and quickly. These areas provide great opportunity for ambush feeding. Think of this area as a big ledge meaning the channel has a ledge with great feeding opportunity with one being located on each side.
Our fishing friend Anthony Conrad while cruising this area happened to see a few king mackerel airing-out. I just thought of that phase. I meant basically "free jumping!" King mackerel are very intense feeders. When they kill to feed near the surface they become "airborne!" I have seen them reach some amazing heights. Kings are known for looking as if they get temporarily suspense once taking flight. Most of the time their flight plan are straight up and then over.
Savannah River Channel and Port Royal sound areas are both great places especially during this time frame, to target these "silver streaks!" The main diet is normally going to be menhaden, blue runners, cigar minnows, pinfish, Spanish mackerel, and any other type of fast type baitfish. It seems that those baits that tightly school such as the menhaden are one of their favorites. There are normally lots of menhaden holding in these areas. Another spot to look for these fish is parallel to any formed rips that you find. All fish from small to large know these are areas to feel safe and feed.
Tybee Roads, Savannah's Shipping Channel
Here's another one of Captain Judy's Blue prints
This area is also known as the Savannah River Channel and just plain shipping channel. At any rate it considered a "Hotspot" for the fish especially at this time of the year. The first thing you need to do is to get yourself a chart of this area. This is not an area that you need to experiment with. It's a busy shipping channel with some real tight spots for the ships to maneuver in. I have broken this area down so that all fishermen both inshore, near shore, and offshore can benefit from.
Jetties
For you inshore fishermen
The jetties or wall made of rock is located at the mouth of the Savannah River as it meets the ocean. Some rocks are submerged while others are highly visible at low tide. This is an area that I suggest that you become familiar only when it's low tide. As far as fishing this is a spot that had a lot to offer the small boater. Spot tail bass, flounder, trout, Sheepshead, black drum, and who knows what else will be feeding in this area. Please beware ships comes in and out making quite a wave push, which means when you anchor inside the jetties keep this in mind. Be prepared so that a ship's wave doesn't wash you up on to the rocks.
Tybee Roads
When you are heading out to sea the red buoys mark the left side of the channel and the green buoys marks the right side. This is very important to know. Ships will navigate in and out of the channel down between the buoy sets. (Red and green) You must keep clear of the shipping traffic. If you find yourself confused when a ships is about to pass in the channel I suggest going to the nearest buoy and holding up there until the ship passes. Now that you have become aware of some of the possible dangers of this area it's time to start fishing.
Shipping Channel
The channel in this area is deep (40 to 50 feet), but shallows quickly to each side. The depths on outside of the channel especially in front of Tybee Island can be a shallow as 10 feet. I have found that by trolling back and forth across from the deep to the shallow part is where I have my most luck. Bait usually hovers on the edge of channel. You know the old fisherman's saying, "Where there are small fish, you can expect big ones." I have caught lots of Spanish mackerel in this scenario pulling deep spoons across the ledge. (Each side of the channel) The good news especially at this time of the year where there is Spanish you are probably going to have "Smokers Kings" lined up for a quick snack. In fact while we have been fishing for the Spanish I as well as other boats have seen them skyrocketing. Most of the kings that we have seen jumping have been on the large side. When targeting this fish try using a live Spanish mackerel, blue runners, or menhaden. Live lining with light tackle by slow trolling or anchoring while using one of these baits might score you a big one. If you decide to anchor, please make sure that you do not do so in the shipping channel! This is also a good area to do a little shark fishing.
Tarpon, Shipping Channel
With tarpon season in full swing it's very possible to get a chance to see one of these big fish rolling through this area. In fact I have had several reports of sightings of tarpon rolling on the channel's edge. Tarpon feed on almost anything that will fit down their throat, crabs, eels, catfish, and many other creatures that swim in the ocean. A tarpon hasn't any teeth so therefore chewing isn't possible. In our area menhaden seem to be the best bait. You can present it live, dead, whole, or cut up. Your only must in the tarpon catching department is that you to fish where they have been sighted before. A tarpon pretty much makes a path and follows it year after year. Your job should you choose to take it is to "Be there at the same time!"
One more Fishy opportunity
At the Shipping Channel
The buoys that line the shipping channel are basically what we call "Floating restaurants." Large fish such as cobia, jack crevalle, and tripletail frequently fed and just circle these floating "Chuck Wagons." When approaching a buoy I suggest doing so as quietly as you can. In other words, situate your boat up current and then let the tide slowly take your boat quietly up to the buoy. Holding fish will usually get in a "circulator swimming pattern," which means give it a few minutes before moving on to your next spot. Some of these fish will hold so close to the surface that you can see their dorsal fins sticking out of the water. Then there are some fish that will hold deeper under the buoy and near the chain that anchors it. The buoys and the mooring chains support a great surface for the growth for marine life, which provides a target rich environment for small fish. The food chain starts here so be there to join in! As you can see a lot of the areas located in the shipping channel are popular places for fish to hang out!
Jack Crevalle Savannah River Channel
While fishing for king mackerel it's possible, especially at this time of the year to hook up a large jack crevalle. Anthony Conrad while slow trolling menhaden in the Savannah River Channel hooked up what was first thought to be a big "smoker king mackerel!" After 1 hour and 45 minutes a jack crevalle that tipped the scales of over 30 pounds was landed and released. Had Angela (Anthony's wife) been on board and since he always offers "first fish on" to her, she might have broken the women's state record.