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 22, 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)
BLUE WATER SUGGESTIONS!
Captain George Patterson's Blue Water Adventures!
For those of you that haven't met Captain George, let me introduce you. During his fishing era he was one of the best blue water fishermen I have ever seen. Captain George was so focused when he left the dock that it was almost a sure thing that "blue water fish were soon to be pulled over the gunnels!" His abilities to read the water, know the different fish feeding scents, find, and catch fish was simply amazing. Captain George and I have been conversing in regards to how he would set up to target certain blue water fish at different times. H e has offered up some real good blue water catching scenarios!
"Smart Blue Water Fish Catching Facts!"
A Slick is A Slick is A Slick!
Slicks or sheens are formed when some sort of oil hits the water. It can come from the bilge of your boat when you pump discharges. (Hopefully not! This is the bad kind of slick!) The best type of slick or sheen is one that is caused when fish are feeding down under. Normally "smart fish" such as tuna and Wahoo are known for feeding in the depths. These large blue water fish "rip and tare" at bait fish that are holding in eddies or upwelling. Heck, you might not even get a glimpse of the fish feeding down under, but you will definitely see the "slick that forms on the surface." With this being said, "look for slicks and sheens, because these are going to be great areas to start your "fishing affair!"
It's always good to have a plan especially when blue water fishing is the "fish game" for the day. Captain George has offered to share some "Blue Water Scenarios" that have worked for him in the past. As we talked he kept saying, "stay once your arrive and give these places a chance!" According to Captain George many a spot has been left too soon or because the fishermen didn't read the water right! In other words, "stop, look, and smell" before moving on to another spot.
300-Foot hang 300 feet
3148.50 7926.50 GPS
60660.0 45136.0 LORAN
This area is best described as the spot that you would least expect fish to hold! The reason being is that if you aren't watching the fish finder closely when you pass over it, you will miss it. It shows up as a pinnacle shape, which when moving over the spot you might not get much of a marking on the old fish finder. Captain George suggest working this area whether or not you see fish, just do it! The most important thing, especially at this time of the year, is to "think small baits!" The best color to go with is going to be "blue and white only!" Another good lure according to George is going to be the old style cedar plugs. Yes, it's true that cedar plugs do come in an assortment of colors. However, Captain George fished hard when the standard cedar was dark, light or regular. Regular when it comes to a cedar plug would be the "natural color of cedar!" Back in the old days I has to ask myself "where did that come from?" But I really never could come up with an answer…
Cedar plugs come pre-rigged, which works out sometimes. I guess I should explain that last statement. Over the years all of us fishermen have taken the pre-rigged cedar plugs out and just started trolling with them. There have been some problems with these set-ups. Captain George always suggests removing current rigging changing up to 100-pound test monofilament leader material. Normally these pre-rigged lures have about 6 feet of leader material attached. He suggests making your new leader about 15 feet long. The lengthen of the leader has a lot of to offer you as the fisherman in the "hooking up opportunity field." This one change from 6 to 15 feet makes an unbelievable hooking up reality! With that being said, "re-rigging cedar lures" is going to give you a better shot at a serious hook up.
This suggested spread is made up of small baits (ballyhoo) rigged with blue/white colors skirts and cedar plugs. At this time, according to Captain George, is the best time to pull these lures "way, way, back!" There is another suggestion, which is to make sure that you always pull a lure just passed your "prop wash." The location of the prop wash, as you already guessed, is close to the stern of the boat.
Prop Wash Baits Captain George Style!
This is the blueprint for Captain George's "Prop Wash Lure," which goes something like this: He likes to use heavier wire than normal. (120 to 300 pound test) The leader should be about 10 to 15 feet long. This rig should be pulled behind an 8 to 16 ounce torpedo sinker. The best design for the job is going to be medium "Billy Bait," with a heavy head. Just to name a few out on the market: Super Magnum, Billy Jet, Billy Baits MFL, and "smoke, rattle, & troll" lures. These have the heads needed to get the "Wahoo getting job done!" Please note the "longer the leader the greater the chance of wallowing out the hook's made hole!" Any slack in the line will increase your chances for loosing you fish.
According to Captain George best color combinations are red/black, all black and purple and black. I have to agree with him on these suggestion I broke the Wahoo Georgia State record in the seventies and Captain George broke it in the Nineties. Both fish hit one of these color combinations! My favorite style lure was the Ilander lures, which boils down to basically what Captain George suggest using. The secret is not only what you use for a lure, but also where you pull it.
Before I get out there too far and have to reel my own self in lets talk a little about rigging up your ballyhoo or that so called "swimming mullet!" The first thing is that you don't want your bait to spin or what is termed as "bait helicopter-ing!" The absolute best way to rig is to do it the "old fashion way!" All you do is to make a haywire twist and leave the spike, which will be using to hold your "hoo" place. To secure your bait please use a small rubber band or go with the old standby "copper rigging wire." The newer way, which also works is to go with a "ballyhoo nose spring."
When ballyhoo is not your game and mullet is, here are a few suggestions for this type of rigging also. Firstly, when you rig up a swimming mullet you need to use small egg sinker. The below the chin added sinker offers up just enough weight to pull the head down to give it that "life like act." When pulling a rigged mullet in conjunction with some sort of skirt (Billy Baits or Ilander lure) don't add the egg sinker. Whatever you don't forget "splitting the tail of the mullet!" This puts a little more natural movement into the bait pulling game!
How to work the old hang…
As said earlier this hang shows as some sort of a pinnacle on the recorder. Whatever you do don't rule out big attentions to the fish. This area is often looked at too quickly and passed by as "non-interesting to fish!" However, according to Captain George this spot has a lot going for it. It attracts fish! With that being said, "fishing this area should be high on your list!"
Captain George suggests setting your spread out to the east of the so-called "hang!" The keeps you hard rigged bait away from the "toothy monsters!" It's suggested that you work to the north of this area staying in 300 to 350 feet water. Once you get a hit or catch a fish make that area your "bull's eye" and work it for at least 20 minutes before moving on. The best way to work the hang area is to look for "slicks or sheens." These areas are formed when fish are feeding in the "down under mode." Captain George is a serious "slick watcher!" According to him these areas are where the serious fish are feeding. This area is known for holding large fish such as tuna, dolphin, Wahoo, and billfish. You might not see them, but they are certainly there! Lets assume that the hang area is "barren," which is certainly not the norm! Please don't forget to work this area thoroughly before moving on! Now for you next suggest move:
Mammal Hole 1,200 depth
3148.50 7915.00 GPS
60570.5 45085.9 LORAN
If the 300" hang area turns out to be a "bite bust" then it's time to move on the to the "Mammal Hole." It's basically a 12 miles run, which Captain George highly suggests pulling your spread in (lines in) and making it a run not a troll to the area. While running to the area it's suggested that you keep you eyes wide open for any fish feeding signs. This is a true "Hot spot!" of all times. Just looking at this depth gets me to thinking that there must be "monsters lurking in these waters!" According to Captain George this is the spot for some real good "catching opportunity!" Once you take a look at this area on your chart you will know why for sure! Just the formed up wellings, eddies, and rips should get the bite going. Not only that, but all those different currents heading in all kinds of directions makes for an "ocean of dreams!" It suggested that you work and watch it at the same time. This area has been visited by the most famous blue water fish of all times. Starting with the "Man in the blue suit," (marlin) which occasionally is known for making speedy strong appearances. "Striped missile man," (Wahoo) which is known for its speed, erratic moves, extra strong strength, and endurance. The "Southern Bell" (sailfish) of the ocean, is the "man in the blue suit's" first cousin. Another possible visitor could be the "board bill sword fish!" Although this fish prefers nighttime feeding hours, you really never know when this situation could change. Dorado Dolphin, which comes in all sizes from peanuts, slingers, and bulls. Tuna Bullets comes in two normal colors yellow and black! There is another so call "man in the blue suit," but they are sporting a fine set of nice pearly white teeth. It's not a fish, but whether a big mouth shark. Please don't think for one moment that this is the sort of shark that when hooked takes a deep dive, because it exactly the opposite. The list is long when it comes to majestic blue water fish! You know the old saying, "the bigger the bowl the larger the fish!' In this case, "fish that play here have a lot of space to grow in!" Thanks Captain George for all of the information!