|
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
Captain Judy's Fishing Report
June 25, 2007
SALTY REPORT
INSHORE
Our inshore captains struggled to keep the bite going this past week. There
were some catches, but not the norm. The good news is that this is all behind
us. Extreme tides along with blustery winds made fishing tough! Most charter
captains have at least 200 fishing spots in which to choose from. However, when
you have to delete those areas that are most effected by extreme high tides and
winds the opium stops are lessened. With that being said, "there were a lot of
spots that didn't get fished last week!" This boils down to the fact that
fishing should be better this week!
Getting out the old cast net is a good idea, especially at this time of the
year. There are shrimp, menhaden, finger mullet, and other small baitfish
holding in the backs of creeks. Menhaden as well as finger mullet can be caught
at sight. In other words, you could see them schooling on the surface in the
middle of anywhere!
Some sort of bait is almost always needed when it comes to fishing. It doesn't
really matter which one you use as long as it works. It's my opinion that there
is going to be a lot more artificial baits introduced to fish during this year
(2007) than in 2006. The reason being is that bait is not as plentiful as it has
been in the past years. I'm not saying, "this is the future, I'm saying it just
this year's bait pattern I hope!" When it comes to bait inshore or offshore the
problems are the same. All bait inventories are low at least as far as I am
concerned.
Smart Spotted Sea Trout
Clear and moving water is what you need to look for when targeting the sight
feeding spotted sea trout. As I watched flow out of a slough the other day it
was brought to my attention the scheme of things taking place. I had a "bird eye
view" of the situation. Believe me, looking from above can put an whole new
prospective on things. As I watched it came to my attention that as the water
flowed out it took with it some mud and other marshes things. When this out
going water from the slough met the main body of water the cloudy water
basically got in step with the meeting movement. Small baits went the opposite
way staging closing to the mouth of the slough. These small bait (mud minnows)
held tight in real shallow water. I as assuming it was because they were less of
a feeding target for a large fish. Heck, a larger fish didn't have enough water
to get to them anyway! (Point made)
The cloudy water line was very distinctive meaning when it met the clearer water
"an edge was formed." So therefore you had cloudy/muddy and clear water with
what seemed like an imaginary line drawn between them. I am going somewhere with
this! As I watched from above I watched as larger fish (spotted sea trout)
staged on the out skirts (in the clear water) looking for a quick meal. They
worked the cloudy/muddy line popping in when it was to their feeding advantage.
Now that you have read my opinion on this occurrence here's how I suggest taking
advantage of this situation. Firstly all and any slough is going to offer such
opportunity. Where you have water flowing out patterns are developed. Now, not
all sloughs are going to be areas to fish. However, the most unlikely are the
ones that I would check first.
I haven't talked about bouncing your artificial bait on the bank first in a long
time, but this is one of those times that it would probably work to your
advantage. Since it has been proven that fish stage outside the cloudy/muddy
areas it would seems that they are looking for any sort of action within.
Bouncing your lure first on the bank and then into the water is going to give it
the most realistic action possible! This is another one of those suggestions
that you don't have to tell anyone about!
Captain Jack McGowan of Miss Judy Charters Fishing Report!
Fishing this week started in a nice way! There was a nice sea trout bite near
the sound. The sea trout bite isn't red hot, but definitely good! Action can
best be described as interesting. Roe trout can be found near high water around
marshy points. Clean water and a good drift are always a plus in trout fishing.
Male sea trout can found close to sandbars in around 12 feet of water. Action
around the sand bars is red hot! A variety of fish are working the bars:
whiting, ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish, bonnet heads and black tips to name a few.
Redfish action is picking up but the bite remains off. The youngsters of the
year redfish are barely able to bite a hook. These small reds are likely only
seven inches or so. Not catching many of these tiny fish. These young of year
will quickly grow and by the July 4th they should be biting everything hitting
the water and by September or October these young of year will be a legal size
(14 inches).
John Burke reports our salt-water catfish is in trouble. Come to think of it
when the last time you caught a gaff top or regular old salt-water cat? If
you're like me it's been a long time. Most of us can remember catching so many
catfish that were considered a major nuisance. Granted a lot not love is lost
for an obnoxious old cat much like an obnoxious old charter captain. On the
other hand as Capt. Wild Bill says, this is a sign something isn't right with
mother earth. South Carolina is immediately closing the taking of these fish
while this situation is being studied. The point is to be aware of changes
impacting our wetlands and that water quality is a major issue facing our coast
and to stay informed.
Fishing for the remainder of this week should be good! Rain and clouds early in
the week helped cool conditions and provide some much needed rain. Tides
throughout the week look good. When winds kick up fish protected waters.
Afternoon storms can kick up on any given summer day. Best fishing during summer
is usually during the morning. This afternoon a dockhand said he launched a
small boat from the marina and the family headed directly into a storm. Rain in
a distance will look like sheets coming down. Running into a storm is not fun
and potentially not safe. Check the weather forecast before and during your day
on the water. Several GPS units have weather radar capability. A VHF radio is
another good source of information and last but not least call a friend ask them
to look weather radar either on the weather channel, by Internet or actual radar
unit. There's lot of information out there. Now is good time to familiarize your
self on how to obtain weather information. Hope this of help! Good fishing!
Capt. Jack McGowan
OFFSHORE
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!
Captain Judy
"Fishing Physic"
Our specialty is teaching anglers of all ages and skill levels how to find and
catch more bass with the “On the Water Schools” for Rods, Reels and Lures for
Bass and "Maps and Depth Finders". We have a 2 hour "On the Water School" “The
Aqua Vu Under Water Camera” For only $125.00 for 2 anglers, we will spend 2
hours on Lake Lanier with two cameras. Test one before you buy one!
The Video "Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass is for sale NOW! on the web site.
Learn to fish with the “On the Water Schools”. Call about Rods, Reels and Lures
for Bass class at 770-889-2654.
FREE SONAR SET-UP SHEET:
If you would like to have a
free set up sheet for your sonar, send me an e mail to
kensturdivant@earthlink.net
and ask for the “Sonar Setup Quick List”.
|
