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
February 26, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Freshies Report!
"Crappy Happy" Part Three
In last week's report we talked about small creek minnows being the best bait, but when targeting a larger fish, we suggested going with larger bait such as shiners.
There are all kinds of float/bobbers out there offer in the tackle shops. There are those types that you can thread your main line through and then hold with some sort of a pick. I like to call them the "tooth pick floats." The reason being is that you had best keep a few toothpicks in your tackle box to replace the ones that come with the float. The so-called "bobbers" are those types of floats that come with their own build in "holding your line piece." On this type float, when you push the top button, a little piece of curved wire is pushed out, which is where you slip on you main line. You don't need any toothpicks for this float. Then my personal freshwater specialist "Anthony" shared yet another great fishing tip with me.
Anthony called to offer up his fresh water fishing report of this week. The normal report shared by him is most always a great one, because he truly has figured out the "crappy bite!" While I am on the subject of what Anthony has figured out when it come to catching I would like to make a statement. Anthony has figured out a lot about fish types in terms of what they want, when, why, and where. Believe me he has done his homework and it is paying off in the "grand catches!" Once again I am wondering a bit. Back to the floats…
Anthony uses all the type floats that I have listed. However, when dealing with the normal "faith bite of the crappy along with their paper thin mouth design," sometimes it becomes necessary to change up! He uses what is called a "Wing-It" style floats. Not ever having used this style float I had to do some checking. I will describe, but it probably will be better to get on the web and really get a look at it. Go to http://www.cabelas.com/spodw-1/0017620.shtml to see what I am talking about.
Anthony describes this float design as one of those types that really does let you know when a fish is picking at your bait. The fact of the matter is that your small creek minnows or shiners will even tilt this cork a bit. However, after a few seconds it becomes obvious differing between "bait and real fish bites." This style floats offer us fisherman extra sensitivity when needed!
My take on the float is a simple one, which with this last line comes once again with me adding in "my two cents worth!" Firstly, I would like to say, "These floats probably do work like a charm!" When you look at their design you know for a fact that when the fish "hits at or attempts to sneak off with your bait," which is suspended below the cork, the top part of the float is going to be quickly effected. This boils down to the fact that with this taking place long before the fish figures it out, puts you pretty much in the "driver catching seat!"
Cold Water Inshore Bite Theory!
It's a known fact that fish are more easily spooked and also attack their intended meal a little more delicately during the cold times. The water is nine times clearer than it is during the warmer months and those that feed by the light of things are using it to the fullest. There isn't as much bait fish available giving those that are a nervous itch for survival. Now that I have brought all these issues to light it brings to reason that fishermen especially during this time frame, have a lot to consider. Takes are slow with bites almost non-existing when it comes to the spotted sea trout. These fish are the most effected when the cold water push gets into full force. When fishing I would suggest when using live bait such as the prized mud minnow, that you go with the smallest of the litter. I don't know about you, but I am always picking out the largest in the school. My theory is the "larger the bait the bigger the fish." This could be a true statement for warmer water conditions, but doesn't stand to good for the cold times. I was talking the other day to my fresh water specialist Anthony Conrad. He fish's and catches most of the fish that the fresh water as well s the saltwater theme has to offer. He attacks each species by studying all of their habits from feeding to spawning and all that lies in between. We were talking about winter fishing for crappy and it quickly led to the subject of the winter spotted sea trout bite.
Here I go again "getting out there," but I can guarantee you this read will be worth it. Not only for the entertainment factor, but also the subject matter. Both the crappy and spotted sea trout have paper thin mouths. They also prefer to eat something that looks like or is alive. I'll stop there with the comparison-shopping. Especially during the cold times both species take their meals unbelievably slow. Anthony uses 2-pound test line when targeting crappy during this time frame. He also uses this float called a "wing-in." (More information on floats in the fresh water suggestions of this week) I wouldn't say it's an adjustable float or not, because its basically both. It's a small float that looks as if it has a pencil shape shaft through its center. On the bottom of the shaft is a spring to which provides the tension to hold your line. It's easy to adjust the distance between your bait and float to the desired length. You can quickly adjust lengths at will. When the fish hits at the bait the float is affected before the notice is sent to the tip of your rod. The fact of the matter is that sometimes the bait even affects the float. According to Anthony, it takes a little time, but "it doesn't take that long to decide whether it's a fish or your bait!"
I was thinking that this style float even thought it's thought to be used for "freshwater only" should be considered. After all I am already suggesting going with lighter tackle and smaller baits. This is a float design that would allow you to successfully float your bait into a possible strike zone while giving you a better chance to feel that so-called "icy hit!"
Red Fish
Theories that just came to mind!
If I were a red fish especially at this time, my "on the edge would be about as sharp as it could get!" No one would really understand that last remark unless they were a red fish. Since I'm not one and haven't talked to one I am can only assume this situation by the years of observing porpoises playing "cat and mouse games" at the expense of the good old red fish. It's playing and eating to the porpoise, but it's definite death for the red fish. Keeping all of this in mind brings me to the real reason for sharing all this information with you. From this last paragraph you now know that the red fish are mostly hunted at this time of the year. So therefore, they feed intensely when they feel safe, but when they don't "the stealth mode" goes into effect.
If you read last week's report you already know about Captain Eric Traub's encounter with a large school of "stealthy red fish!" Just to re-cap: He was poling is very shallow water looking for redfish and knowing all along that they were there. However, he never saw them until about seven hungry porpoises made their intentions clear. As soon as the porpoises made a stand, even though they couldn't get to the red fish, the fish moved quickly "making way!" None of this sounds too strange, because that's what fish do when they become scare. However, in this particular case they had been right by Captain Eric's boat the whole time and he couldn't see them at least until the porpoises made them nervous. As soon as the fish discovered that the porpoises couldn't get to them they settle right back into the old "stealth mode" never being seen again that day.
The lure as well as the word that I want to throw out to you is "spinner baits!" Although this set-up was exclusively used as fresh water bait, it's not now! Let's break it down, so that what I just said is even going to be even more believable! Taking all that I have said in the lines written previous this lure is prefect for the job at hand. Firstly, this lure has got lots of moves to offer with just a mere change of action such as reeling, jigging, popping, or moving. Once cast it doesn't make a big un-natural entry. In other words, this lure would qualify for Olympic dive form status! Once it lands, it doesn't just sit there. The skirt that covers the hook and tail type that you have added flow with the current giving it a more nature appeal. When you want to move it a bit, even a foot or so, simple reeling procedures come to mind. When you want to move the lure, all you have to do is to reel and the blades provided lift the lure off the bottom so it moves more naturally. In other words there isn't any "taking a lure for a unnatural drag taking place!"
To catch a red fish while using "spinner baits" you need to know a little about the lure that you are pitching and pulling. The spinner bait comes with a plastic skirt and jig/jerk/grub type bait. The shirt and plastics are your cover for the hook. When a red bites down the natural softness offers you a few seconds to set the hook before the fish figures out that this isn't the real thing! It has been proven by many fishermen that the so-called "front end added assist hook works." The spinner bait is one of those lures that can handle this hook addition without jeopardizing the flow of movement. With all of this being said, I suggest taking a ride to the old tackle shop to purchase or visiting one of your fresh water fishing friends to borrow a "Spinner bait." After all where are you going to get a lure that offers so much for so little?
Offshore Sheepshead Bite
I have been talking a lot about this fish, because it's that time of the year. With that being said, here's a re-cap of last's week "Sheepshead Catch Fest!" Even though the weather forecast was great offering up some good sea conditions the ocean was very rough! It was one of those days that looked all right but once getting offshore into the "thick of things" it wasn't. Once getting the boat anchored over the barge it was hard to make a "fiddler crab delivery!" The boat was hard to get situated and the "sheepies" seemed to know exactly where we weren't! Thus making for a hard day offshore for the customers, boat, captain, and first mate!
Later in the week although the weather predicted "a small craft advisory" the seas were calm and the wind was just a nice sea breeze. Had I listened to the current forecast I would have stayed at the dock. However, we decided to have our customers still meet at the dock before canceling the trips. When I got up that morning, although the predictions were bad, the sea conditions were basically flat and the wind wasn't blowing! Off we all went to the "sea of who knows what will happen next?"
Captain Ken and Captain Deidra fished the KC artificial reef buoy. And I took my customers to the L arifiticial reef area. The KC area was very accommodating with for Captain Ken Kennickell. It wasn't rough making for a "freeway' to the fish. Upon getting the boat situated, hooks were baited with purple back fiddlers, and the fishing bonanza began. Just a little extra information, our normal extra charges for purple back fiddlers is around $60.00 per trip. The current price for purchasing fiddlers has changed. The costs now for 400 "purple backs" is $80.00 boiling down to $20.00 per hundred! I had to throw that in there! It seems everything I going up!
At any rate, once getting situated, Ken fishermen started "making way" with catching sheepshead. Most all landed were medium with a couple of nice ones weighting in at around 11 pounds! After getting their fill of snatching and setting the hook before the fish hit "a black sea bass fishing they went!" Captain Ken took them to about 65 feet of water where every time they dropped one to two black sea bass jumped on their hooks. As I talked to Captain Ken's customers they loved all fishing, but couldn't lie about the "old lure of trying to catch Mrs. Sheepshead!" The bottom line when targeting this fish is that "you don't get them every time!"
I took my customers to the L Buoy and we caught some nice black bass while using cut squid and fish for bait. The fish were a little scattered with me finding only concentrated schools of black fish in only a few spots. However, I must admit that during this time frame this is how it works when it comes to the old back fish. So here's my suggestion when fishing a artificial reef for black sea bass: Before you go make sure that you have all spots located on the reefs, because "moving a lot" is going to be in your future. You could get lucky and find the main school on your first drop, but lets don't count on that! It has been proven many times over that black sea bass especially where artificial bottom is concerned, that this is a fish that "groups up rather than spreads out." I'm not saying you won't catch a few here and there, because you will while making long drifts. The main thing you need to focus is the fact that normally somewhere in the artificial area that you are fishing there is going to be a spot that is completely covered with these fish. It's your mission, should you decide to take advantage of it," to find said school and catch them!
Savannah Snapper Banks
This is one area especially during this time frame where catching could be very interesting. The reason being is that you might be fishing for one type and end up with a completely different type of bite. During this time live bottom areas located in 95 to 120 feet of water hold all types of fish from large to small types. Once you find the location in which you want to make your first drop to the bottom it's an all most guarantee that you are going to catch something. The bottom line is that it might not be the size of type of fish that you want. So therefore here are some suggestions to get you to the "happy catching zone:
Firstly, I must mention that if all you are looking to do is to catch what happens to hit your hook in the depth of water you are in "luck!" Basically, all you have to do is bait up, drop, and set the hook. Small pieces of cut bait on little strong hooks will yield hook ups of some types. However, if you are interested in only catching those larger fish, which means limiting you catching ratio, I have a few suggestion for you.
Some of those fish that you are catching on the smaller baits could possibly be your next offering for large bait. I normally use what I have caught in the way of small fish. This means all fish from reef runners to ruby red lips can fall victim to being the perfect bait to use especially at the time of the year. With that being said, "consider using live baits that you don't normally use. The main thing I can suggest to you when going this route is to use live bait that a red snapper or grouper can exactly swallow without too much problem. This is due to the fact, if it's too much trouble, "it's too much trouble!" This boils down the fact that a potential big fish might pass up your bait offering simply because it's too much trouble to try and eat! This means that if you can't find the perfect type of bait then use what you have. However, make sure it will fit the fish that might be trying to eat it. In this case, it's going to be most likely a large red snapper or grouper. Here's some baits that I suggest using: ruby red lips also known as fire mouth, sand perch, blue fish, spots, pinfish, pigfish, and lizard fish. I would keep the size, if possible less than 6 inches. Believe it or not, but at one time or the other I have caught large bottom fish while using all of the bait. It's all about what's available at the time for both you and the fish.
Let assume that you have caught some live bait and it's time to actually do something with it. My old saying, "to catch a big fish you have to think like one!" It's my belief that especially during this time frame that large fish feed in the upper water column. The reason I feel this way is that all migrating fish have been gone for quite a while and haven't come home yet. With that being said, a big fish's food source is going to be limited. Heck, after you eat yourself out of house and home, "it's time to go shopping." So therefore I think big fish are out shopping, because those that did stay have been homebodies and they have eaten everything near.
Here's a shore version of the gear that I am using: My main line is 60-pound test. If you will remember, back in the old days I used 80 pound test main line on all of my reels. However, after successfully field-testing YO-ZURI "HYBRID" I was sold, because it worked. My favorite color is "smoke purple." On my main line I slide on an egg sinker. My drift determines the amount of weight used. When the drift is over 1 knot plus I always use at least 8-ounce egg sinker. When is comes in under this speed I prefer using a 4 ounce eggs sinker. Once I slide the egg sinker on I then slip on a bead and then tie on a 90-pound test snap swivel. My leader is approximately 10 to 15 feet long. I am using YO-ZURI H. D. CARBON fluorocarbon leader material, which is very easy to work with and mostly transparent underwater. I make a loop or tie on a 90-pound test swivel, which I attach to the main line. At the end of the leader I tie a 14/0 to 16/0 circle hook.
I don't sharpen my circle hooks. Some fishermen do I don't! The reason being is that I feel if there are too sharp they will stick in areas that won't hold once hooked up. The circle hook is design to track around the lips of the fish forming a loop making it hard for the fish to get free. To remove the hook I always cut my leader at the eye of the hook and back it out pulling eye through hook hole. Now that you have your leader ready it's time to hook up your bait. I always stick my hook up through the bottom lip area all the way to the top of the fish's head. Although this keeps the fish's mouth semi-close they still seem to fare quite well. I don't like to place my hook through the top of the eye socket, because when pulled or if current takes you bait it's going to do what is called "helicopter-ing." Believe this spinning around is going to scare all fish off!
Now finally we are getting to placement of the bait. I suggest once locating the spot you want to fish that you set up this way: Let you selected live bait to bottom trying not to tangle the leader, reel up about 20 feet, make sure the reel's drag is medium, put in rod holder, and watch the tip of your rod. When positioning your bait in the upper water column I don't suggest touching your rod until the fish has completely swallowed the bait, rod is bending, and line is peeling out. When this happens you have got yourself a big fish!
"Little Miss Judy Believe It or Not!"
High Speed Trolling in the Seventies With Dear Old Dad!
I am always talking about "high speed trolling." I know that some fishermen don't believe or won't ever try it, but the fact of the matter is that it really does work! I'm not going to say, "works every time all of the time," but when it does you will get the surprise of a lifetime! My father had some rules about fishing, which once you though about it, were very good ones. His saying of "you can't catch a fish unless you have a line in the water," turned out to be a good one for sure! However, I will add that later on down the line I found out the hard way that if a fish wants to jump in your boat it will," but that's another story!
My father's rule of fishing engagement wasn't just for offshore, but also inshore. The bottom line was that you needed to keep a line along with some sort of lure in the water when you could! I bet if it was actually known how many square miles of water daddy covered while fishing, I'm sure none of us would believe it! With that being said, "I have yet another great story, which I would like to share with you."
I had a call the other day from "way back yonder past fishing friend!" Buddy Bullard of
Hampton, South Carolina, called to get some offshore fishing prices from me. As we talked he mentioned that back in the seventies that he had a boat called "Play Mate." While heading in one day he saw my father "making way towards home" and he basically wanted to "shoot-by and give a little wave." Upon getting close to daddy's 15-knot plus moving vessel, he maneuvered across the wake, so as to get situated to wave, and he cut all of daddy "high speed trolling lines off!" Thinking right off that Captain Daddy would be mad he pulled up to get his "local chewing out!" Well, the opposite happened with daddy basically saying, "it could have happen to any one!" Even though no one not even me, ever thought about it, because we pulled lines everywhere we went, "another type of fishing was born!"
Back in the old days, Daddy's inshore boat had a 3/12-horse power Evinrude outboard as power, which barely made way. His offshore boat, which was a 40-foot plus cabin cruiser's top speed, was 10 knots. According to daddy especially during this time frame "he wasn't going anywhere fast so he might as well make good use out of it." When times changed offering us more speed he never changed course when it came to pulling lures off the stern of his boat. So therefore we went from slow speed to high speed trolling without even knowing it much less ever thinking about it! The fact of the matter is that when fishermen started talking about trolling I really didn't know what they meant, because daddy just called it "moving baits and catching fish!"
Here's My Line Now Bite My Hook!
Captain Judy