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
June 25, 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)
Sounds, Beachfronts, and Artificial Reefs
During this time of the year the sounds, beachfronts, and artificial reefs have a lot to offer us fisherman! Firstly, those wanting a chance at such fish as king mackerel, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, blue fish, ladyfish, amberjack, tripletail, shark, little tunny, tarpon, or cobia these are areas to take a look-see! All of these fish are what I call "travelers" for the most part. They aren't found in this area year around. However, during the hot months from the middle of June till the first of October your chances are good for running into one of these fish.
For those that just want to target a certain species such as those listed above now is the time to get your best shot at a "catch up!" However, it has always been my opinion to just fish for what biting and available. Here just a few suggestions for getting these fish to bite your hook:
Barracuda, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, blue fish, ladyfish, little tunny, cobia and amberjack
This long list of fish can be found in the sounds, off the beachfronts, Open Ocean, and the artificial reef. Wherever there is a food source these fish might be staging so as to try to pick up an easy meal. I have caught all of these fish with not so technical stuff! My most favorite lures are plain old metal spoons either pulled behind a planer, from downriggers, or just on the surface.
Clark spoons have been around for as long as I can remember. This is one lure that the fish don't ever seem to get tired. The best sized I have found are as follows: chrome with red bead number ORBMS, which is a 21/2 inch metal silver in color spoon with 2/0 hook. Chrome with red bead number OORBMS, which is a 2-inch metal silver in color spoon with a 2/0 hook. This spoon works great while trolling it or casting it. You can tie the spoon on directly on your main line. Another way is to add a leader such as monofilament and then tie on. I will suggest not using any type of wire leader material. The reason being is that this leader doesn't allow the spoon to works the proper attracting way. It's true you won't lose your lure if the fish hits where the spoon is tied on. However, you might not get as much "fish attention" in the first place. There are several different colors lures on the tackle market. I can assure you that the silver spoon with the red bead works time and time again! However, the other lures do look good in your tackle box!
Drone Spoon
Drone spoons don't have red bead nor do that need them. They have a different shape and are a much "beefier lure" type. Lets start with the most popular that I use on my boat and that's the 31/2-inch spoon. The Drone spoons come in many colors and also with some strip flash. I call it "reflex ant tape!" My favorite colors are black with green flash, plain stainless steel, and blue with silver flash. They come in many different color combinations. You might need to decide which color combination fits being pulled behind your boat. For me these spoons work great when being pulled about 30 feet behind a #3 Sea Striker planer. My 30 feet of so-called leader is made from regular 80-pound test monofilament line. It's important to add a 90 to 100 pound snap swivel on the back of the planer and then tie your leader on. Cut the leader in half and tie in a 90 to 100 pound test swivel. Then tie on the spoon directly to the leader. The in-the-middle swivel helps keep the line from twisting up. A good examination of you spoon is always needed. I know what you are thinking, "it's just a spoon!" The Drone spoon should have two welded rings not just one. I have found over the years that some spoons get skipped and are sent out with only one ring, which will not allow your spoon when pulled it do that thing that it does. This boils down to getting a fish to bite your hook! It's easy enough to solve by adding a spilt ring of about the same size. I suggest purchasing some of these rings in assorted sizes. When added to hooks and spoons it puts a whole new prospect of getting seriously hooked up. Drone spoon comes in different sizes I suggest picking one that fits you needs.
When pulling Drone spoons the secret is to pull them fast. I normally pull my spoons between 6 and 7 knots. If your rod tip isn't "tipping and t-wicking" you aren't pulling fast enough or your second ring in not on the spoon. I have to say, "hands down that this spoon has caught all fish that I have listed!" It wasn't a "plan thing it was a catching thing!"
Triple Tail
I would like to touch lightly on the subject of tripletail. This is what I would call the "most allusive fish" ever. When it's just floating on the surface it looked like a medium size dark green trash bag floating on the surface. So therefore most fishermen past so-called "old bag by." I am happy to report that. In the past years I have seen less and less of this fish. To know their ways is about the only way that you are going to successfully catch them. They hang around stuff that provides suction for them as the current rounds a certain object, which is stationary. This could be anything from pilings to rocks to buoys. Their love for small fish an shrimp gets them in trouble every time!