CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921
912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
August 2, 2008
Happy Fish Day!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
WILL THE STATE SPECKLED SEA TROUT RECORD FALL THIS FALL?
By: Capt. Rick Reynolds of Miss Judy Charters
We are fast approaching the fall trout season and the question some anglers are asking is if the current Georgia State Speckled Sea Trout Record is going to fall this year? If you are thinking that the cooler autumn days are a long way off, think again.
For instance on July 25th, sunrise was at 6:19 am and sunset was at 8:33pm. June 25th, sunrise was 6:34 and sunset was 8:25 pm. That is a difference of 23 minutes of daylight. You can expect that trend to continue. Also step outside at noon and you will see the sun is not directly overhead, but falling slowly to the south.
The spring and summer fishery has been excellent this year. We are catching more large speckled sea trout this year, than in the last several years that I can remember.
Tommy Hall holds the current Georgia state men's record. His sea trout weighed in at 9lbs and 7 oz and was caught in 1976 in Christmas Creek, near Cumberland Island. Now that's a big boy, but it is time for another, bigger trout to be caught!
At Miss Judy Charters, all the Captains have brought in large trout this year at one time or another. It is not unusual to catch trout in the 18-inch range, but occasionally we see trout that exceed 23 inches. These are not State records, but they are nice size trout by Georgia standards.
What has to happen to catch one of these guys? We might all disagree on the correct bait, as some people will only use artificial bait; others prefer finger mullet and menhaden, or the lowly shrimp. However, we all agree that you need to find clear water flowing around some sort of structure.
I prefer mud minnows or live shrimp for my bait. I also like the last 2 hours of the incoming tide and the first 2 hours of the outgoing. I try to find some structure that will cause the natural bait to be trapped and confused. Oyster and Grass points are my favorite. If you find that type structure and combine it with very clear, moving water, then I suggest anchoring in a position to where you can drift your bait to it. I like oyster Rakes that allow the water to flow over them. Often sea trout will be on either side of that rake or point, waiting on a minnow or shrimp to float by.
If using live shrimp or minnows, always use the liveliest ones you have. Sometimes you will be treated to seeing your shrimp literally trying to jump up on your float, as he is about 2 seconds from having his head knocked off. Trout will always hit a live shrimp in the head. – They are natural born predators. Their eyes are on top of their head and they have a streamlined body and 2 deadly fangs on the top of the mouth.
About floats, I am currently having a lot of success using a popping cork developed by Midcoast Products. I like the Inticer. It is easy to cast and makes an unusual noise when popped that seems to invoke a bite, when other corks don't.
I also use the traditional 9-inch float to drift a shrimp or minnow to the structure when fishing in water over 6 feet deep. My rule of thumb is to use a popper type cork in depths up to 6 feet, then go with the traditional float for deeper water. I am also using about 4 feet of 20lb fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 Kahle style hook. I always hook my shrimp between the 2 black spots under the horn. With mud minnows, I hook them thru the lips from the bottom side up.
The Big trout that we have caught this year has always been in less than 5 feet of water, using a popping cork and live bait. When looking at an oyster rake that is covered with water you should see some smooth water near that structure. I call that a rip and many times those big ones are at the edge of the rip. Bottom line is you have to get out there and try it. Good luck and don't forget to weight that big fish in when you catch it!