Happy New Year To All!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Fishing For Flat out coldwater reds
Happy New Year To All!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Fishing For Flat out coldwater redsWith Captain Ray Crawley
By Captain Judy Helmey
December 15, 2008
12:00 noon Departure
Outgoing tide low 4:46 PM
The bottom line is "you might can see them but you can't make them "step up to a real solid bite!"
It was an unusually wind less day making the inshore waters as calm as could be. It was a low seventies December kind of fish day with the water temperature in the mid fifties. This boiled down too when you were running fast it was "cool to cold" and when you were actually fishing you were "warm to hot!" The good news is that the weather that we experience on the coast in Savannah, Georgia is "better more than it's bad!" At any rate, "it was great kind of day to look for cold water reds on the mud flats!" And that's exactly what Captain Ray Crawley and I did!
I am always talking about noises made that might scare fish away. Well, during this time when sound seems to travel even better and the water is so clear "any noise might spook the fish!" So we both went into the "fisherman's stealth mode!"
Here's how the fishing duo was set up: Captain Ray was on the bow operating the trolling motor and I was standing by the poling platform. Captain Ray would idle in close to the soon to be fishing area and then use the trolling to do the rest of the navigation. This is where noise stopped and sign language began.
When Captain Ray pointed his rod I watched carefully looking for red fish as they pushed water making their "signature wake." The "red fish wake" is very noticeable and until you have seen one or a school of them "making way" you might not understand. However, I will try to explain.
When red fish small or large swims near the surface water is pushed out just like a boat making way. The action is called a "wake." When a school of red fish moves near the surface they make "wakes in cadence." A red fish's wake comes with it's own signature moves, which once learned it's like none other.
Once you lock you eyes on their wake you can track their movement ascertaining their direction as well as their main push. This means in the fish watching world that if you are working a bank area that you can tell whether or not the school is moving with or against the handed current. Even though it has been said, "fish are known mostly to move against the current, this is not true when it comes to a red fish. Their moves are erratic, meaning up or down the bank."
As the tide stage gets lower in the marshes red fish stay as long as they can, because this is where they feel the most safe. At this time you can find single or even schools of red fish working the edges of grass that are still semi covered. As soon as the water leaves the marsh, meaning it's no longer navigable by the fish, they go into the looking for place to stage mode. Areas that have mud flats that stretch out off the marsh lined with oyster rakes are great places for them to stage. Banks that have points, meaning oyster banks that run perpendicular to the bank provide great protection. The reason being is once the tide is completely out pockets or ponds are formed on and between these areas. These areas are safe zones for the red fish to feed and also are protected from porpoises. However, it doesn't stop the porpoises from staging on the out skirts of these areas. The bottom line to this feeding regime is that as soon as the water gets deep enough they are going to make a charging move.
Stealth Moves Made by Red Fish
Another thing that can happen is that you can tell the instance that a red fish goes from "waking to stealth." It's amazing, because the wake made by the moving fish immediately ceases to exist. The fish are so still meaning you can't see them unless you know what to look for. A few twitches from the fish inching down under moves the water just enough that a trained eyes can identify it from above.
Once the water is low and the red fish are where they are going to hold up at least until they move back into the marsh "this is your personal fishing paradise." Assessments need to be made on exactly where you think the boundaries are. Once you have found the right place, believe it or not, but these fish are basically trapped. The reason being is moving out to deeper water isn't an option, because the porpoises will attack. They can't advance into the marsh, because it's dry as a bone. For the moment and while the tide stage is where it's at, its time for all this watching and waiting to pay off.
Well, Captain Ray put us in just the "prefect fish catching scenario." And it wasn't until this moment that I knew exactly what he had been talking about and pointing at. He had found the fish and they were semi confined due mostly to "nature's strong performance." We had dry marsh on the backside, porpoises in waiting on the out skirts, and we were "slap dab in the middle of this target rich environment!
The depth of the water that we were in was about 1 foot. This is just about where I would be getting out of the boat to take walk, but the water was too cold and I wasn't prepared for such a feat. I could see the mud bottom and I watched as we passed over pods of grass ands scattered live oysters. Both potential areas for possible feeding and staging for fish.
As I watched as Captain Ray navigated through this area I couldn't help but think, "I hope we don't get stuck. The reason being the tide wasn't completely out at this point meaning it was only going to get shallower. Of course I had to ask, "can we get out of here?" Captain Ray quietly replied, "yes!" He then turned and said; "I have seen many boats high and dry up on this flat." That when I realized that he knew this flat like the back of his hand.
While on the subject of possible running aground or should I say, "running out of water" I have something to add. When fishing areas such as described I suggest that you only take a good look on a "just low to an incoming tide stage." The reason being is that if you don't find the right entrance into the area you could be stuck for hours especially on an out going tide. In Captain Ray's case he had "been there and done this on many occasions." So therefore he knew directions to head in order to find a safe passage even though the tide was still in the out going stage.
These areas can be real tricky to navigate especially when the water is low. The reason being is what looks like the right direction normally isn't, which pushes you further up into the shallow area. Yes, you can get out and push, but please remember the mud is real soft. My father had this to say, "when you find yourself in a shallow water situation it's best to back track where you came from not where you were going." However, when it comes to seeing red fish in a pocket believe me it's easy for a fisherman to get side tracked, meaning, "run out of water!" "Been there done that, too and believe me "Not only does a boat refuse to float without water it can't!"
Every time I go fishing with Captain Ray I learned a new twist. Believe me he has plenty of them especially when it comes to a "red fish!" As far as I am concerned, "Captain Ray leaves no stone unturned!" He eats, sleeps, and drinks in regards to the ways of a red fish. He does this with only one exception, "never on Saturday night!"
Baits Used with Explanations!
For bait Captain Ray was using Zoom Jerk bait, which was rigged weed less on a worm hook. He coated it with "lunker shrimp sauce" just to give it that extra scent value. Believe me I had to take a smell and it was terrible for my nose. However, according to Captain Ray this smell really helps to get a red fish's attention.
Captain Ray's bait used (soft lures)
Zoom "Golden Bream Fluke" (split tail type) rigged weed less 2/0 worm hook
http://www.anglersupply.com/product.cfm?model=Super%20Fluke&manufacturer=Zoom%20Bait%20CompanyBerkley Shrimp pattern 3" copper color
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_72346?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT&cmid=PP_P0_1
Added ingredient
Carolina Lunker Sauce "shrimp scented"
http://www.lunkersauce.com/products.html
My Jerk Bait Plight!
I started out with the jerk bait, but after a few missed hits I want to go "hard baits with lots of hooks. I have fished with Captain Ray on several occasions when using artificial baits and this is always my "go too bait of choice." The reason being is that when the fish strikes it, "it gets hooked up." The Smith Wick lures that Captain Ray uses are called "Floating Gold Rogue." These lures can be found in the freshwater department of your tackle store. However, with everything else that Captain Ray uses as bait "he has to set it up with his personal design." So therefore before I explain how the lure worked for me I will give you some insight to "Captain Ray's personal set up procedures."
Smithwick lure "Floating Gold Rogue" 31/2 to 4 inch two tone "black back with gold body" http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_29858____SearchResults
As I said, you won't find this lure in the saltwater section of your tackle store. So therefore it's a freshwater lure that you are looking for. Once locating the Smithwick Brand look for the gold 31/2 to 41/2 lures with treble hooks. According to Captain Ray they will work straight out of the box, but has had problems with the hooks rusting and as well as easily bending. With that being said, "here's how to "Captain Ray-tize your customize red fish lure that really works!""
He adds a double strength split ring to where you tie on the leader or main line. I keep an assortment of rings on my boat. I suggest purchasing a "split ring kit," which has sizes 1 through 6. These are the most used sizes for both inshore and offshore fishing. The good news about split rings is that it's a small inexpensive addition that does so much. Whether a split ring is added to a lure, spoon, or hook it completely changes the way it allows your bait to work. Just the addition of one ring or even two can make big changes in bait action. It's just adds a little more "real deal to your pulled lure!" Offshore Angler offers a split ring kit, which comes in a reusable box. It has all size rings from size 1-6. Please add this to your main tackle box, because you won't be catching sorry!
Smithwick floating lures/plugs come with either two or three treble hooks. Captain Ray removes the lures hooks and adds Owner's bests. Depending on the length lure used here is a list of possible treble hooks needed to get a serious hook up job done: #12, #10, #8, or #6 treble. If the lure has three treble hooks he removes the middle hook and doesn't replace it. According to Captain Ray in the red fish catching department the middle hook is more of an hindrance than a plus.
This lure comes with what is called a scoop or bill in front. This addition causes the lure/plug when pulled through the water to dive. The faster you retrieve the deeper it dives. Captain Ray cuts half of the bill off the lure, which turns it into more of semi diver. This means when retrieved it pulls higher in the water column.
Now that you have set your lure up properly, lets talk about how to use it in less than one foot of water. All I have talked about is semi diving plugs, which doesn't mean much in the shallow water. However, I'm going somewhere with this and you aren't going to believe it. The lure we have been talking when worked right can do an amazing feat when pulled right in shallow water. The treble hooks will and does get hung on the oysters, because they aren't weed less. However, in the case of this pulled lure all you have to do is to stop retrieving and the lure with float up to the surface. When you stop reeling and the lure floats up "nine times out of ten" it gets itself un-hung. Once the lure is up all you have to do is to start retrieving again. The strange movement can and does get a red fish's attention! You must remember especially during the cold season that you need to slowly twitch as well as slowly retrieved all lures use. When dealing with cool to cold water the red fish bite delivered isn't as sturdy as it is in the warmer season.
I got a little side tracked and didn't mention that this particular lure once the split ring is added can be tied directly to your braided main line. Or you can use a short monofilament or fluorocarbon leader if you feel more confident with this set up. The first option, tying directly to the main line is the best method to go with when fishing real shallow water. The reason being is that you will get "less oyster hangs."
The bottom line when using the lure set up is "just hits are eliminated, because hook ups prevail more in this case!" If the first hook doesn't get them the second one will!
Captain Ray Main tackle and Line used
Shimano 7 foot "Teramar" rod
http://www.peacetoken.com/srod-teramar.html?gclid=CNeloL6OxZcCFQObFQodCXofSA
Shimano 2000 series "Sahara" spinning reel
http://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-sahara-fd-spinning-reels.html
Fire Line "black/smoke" 14-pound test
http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?u=FLFS
Back to the actual fishing
We both watched as the red fish made way in their safe pool. Captain Ray now had the boat situated where we could cast right to the schools of fish lingering in front of us. After a few casts we knew that "just the falling of the lure" scared the fish. They went "stealth quick time!" We both watched and after a few minutes movements were made down under producing surface action, which was not in cadences. This meant that the fish weren't actually moving. The fact of the matter is the fish were now in a stealth holding pattern. This is just about when Captain Ray said, "watch this!" Not knowing exactly what he was going to do "I watched!" He walked back and cranked his half raised out of the water motor. The first noise quickly sent the fish into the panic mode. I watched as red fish swirled uncontrollably and wakes were made in all different directions. There must have been at least a couple dozen red fish in this pool. All I could say, "unbelievable!" Heck, after a few minutes I ask him to do it again. On the second time the reaction wasn't as moving. The fish now "got it meaning memory serves them right." However, the fish still put on a pretty impressive show.
The red fish on this particular day were extra cautious, because not only noise scared them but also our lures water landings, too. We weren't really trying to catch them to keep we were more into just observing them. However, after the show was over and we could talk, Captain Ray explained yet another way to "get your fish."
Lets assume you have found yourself in this situation meaning you have fish, but the slightest movement near the school spooks them. This is when you need to go to the "real deal" as bait. This is when you change your bait delivery to "Captain Ray's Mini float system and go with live bait." Another popular bait that he uses under these conditions is "plain naked live bait with a small slip sinker hook!"
Mini Float system or
Naked live bait on a weight hook
Here's what you need and how to put together live bait rigs suggested
Mini Float System Recipe
Small Billy float with small plastic bead above and below the float with tied slipknot above, ounce trout sinker type with or without reflective tape, 7 inch 20 pound test fluorocarbon leader, and 1/0 silver Khale hook
When pulling this float system together it suggested to slide on a small bead, float, and another small directly on to the main line then tie on ounce trout sinker. (Don't forget to slip on before first bead "pre-tied "slip knot." Or don't forget to tie on a slipknot above the first bead.) Once you have tied on the sinker, which you can either or not cover with reflective tape, tie on a 7 to 8 inch leader. Now it's suggested to tie on the hook. This rig is meant for use in real shallow water such is 1 foot or less. The small float offers up less splash rings on impact and isn't so obvious to the fish. The reason Captain Ray suggest the reflective tape is that he feels it gets a red fish's attention bringing it to the bait offered. If you don't want to add this tape to your sinker, it will still work. This is just extras to add to the catching mix.
Hook, real bait, and little weight only recipe
2/0 worm hook with added slip sinker type
The reason 2/0 worm hook was suggested is because it is probably what you have used to thread your jerk bait on. This would be simple change over by just removing the jerk bait and hooking up your bait. If the bait used isn't heavy enough to support the cast made, then a weight will be needed. The best quick fix would be to smash on a "split shot or two."
Live shrimp, mud minnow, and finger mullet work great with both float and hook only rig. If no live bait is available go with the unexpected dead shrimp and mullet fillets or pieces. At this point all you have to loose is your bait.
Once Again Back To Fishing
When changing up from casting lures to the real thing this offers up a better chance to "stay where you play!" I know I need to explain that one for sure. Once you made a cast into the school with the artificial lure you need to go into some sort of retrieval mode. After all that's what these types of baits are made for. Even though some of the artificial retrieved baits offer up a scent sometimes that's not enough especially under these "spooked up conditions." You need not only the scent offered, but also the correct natural movement. The "real thing" is the only one that can deliver the movement properly. In this case, once delivered to the intended spot, the bait does the work, "no retrieval here." I call this "triggering the bite." The red fish obviously weren't going to chase a retrieved lure. However, when this happened they might just go after the real thing, because after all that's what they are doing in the first place!
The bottom line, cast your live bait in, wait till the landing noise made settles down, wait, don't set the hook, bow to the fish, let them eat it, don't set the hook, and wait till you feel them make a run! Then you can scream, "Fish on!" However, if you want another hooked up you had better only do that "screaming in your mind!"
The bottom line to this red fish catching story is that you need to be prepared in that you have the right type of tackle on board and to know what to do with it when. You need to also add flexibility and quiet to this list! And if all this fails to works "Just being a fish watcher is always an option!"
Thanks for reading Captain Judy Helmey