CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
'Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956'
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921
912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
July 28, 2008
Happy Fish Day!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and 'Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Inshore Fishing Report
Artificial Inshore Baits Used
It's a known fact that during this time there are those that think that inshore fishing is slow. However, for those that fish all of the time there is quite a bite to be had. The secret is to use bait that works best and that lasts the longest in the strike zone. Artificial baits are great to use! The reason being is that those fish you don't want to catch can't destroy them like they could the real thing. With all this being said, purchase some artificial paddle tails, screw tails or jerk baits. You can thread them unto to a standard size jig head and work them slow or used them under a float. Don't just think about it, do it!
Captain Ray Crawley of Miss Judy Charters thinks about and does a lot of inshore fishing. I really do have to say, 'he had the inshore bite pattern figured out especially during these hot times!'
As we talked, he brought some really good reasons why artificial works to your advantage at this time of the year. As we all know live shrimp works great. All fish love them, but that's the problem. All fish including the ones you are not targeting hit your hard caught or costly bait 'multiple times.' There is another thing that Captain Ray brought up and'it's when using live bait you exactly spend as much time re-baiting as you do fishing. This means all those fish down under attack and kill, even if it's one piece at a time, your precious live bait. It's a known fact as soon as the bait is dead, its takes on an entirely new offering'. everything tries to eat it at one time! I think you get my point. However, while I am on the subject of bait stealers or should I say 'fetish fish' I wanted to offer up my definition. The definition of a 'fetish fish is those small fish types that remove the tail, heads, fins, and legs one piece at a time!' No matter what you call this when it happens it's not live anymore'it's just plain old bait hanging around.
I know you have been waiting for this real subject of this report. It's all about artificial bait and the best way to use it. Captain Ray has his special used artificial baits for sure. His most used during this time is Strike King soft baits. The most popular with Captain Ray and the fish is 3XZTOO-55 'Baby Bass' Z TOO. These are jerk baits type baits that really work well at this time. The reason being is that the so called 'fetish fish' can't destroy them keeping your bait used in the strike zone longer.
Lets talk a little about artificial bait use at any time. The first thing you have to know, as a fisherman is that you have to have confidence in what you are using as bait. The fact of the matter is what works for Captain Ray might not work for you. Believe even though you aren't exactly touching the bait used for some reason negativity travelers far. My father called in 'mind bait games.' According to him, if you don't believe in what you are using for bait nine times of ten you wouldn't get a bite or even a hit-miss out of it!
Captain Ray loves his Baby Bass artificial lure and it works for him. He threads this lure on to an 8 red jig head. Now, most inshore fishermen us a ' ounce jig head, but Captain Ray prefers the lighter one. The reason being is that once rigged, your bait just doesn't fall to the bottom in a lifeless state. It basically makes an 'extra slow to fall' offering up a somewhat natural movement. In other words, we aren't scaring the fish to death on the fall! Once Captain Ray makes the cast, he allows his bait to fall naturally, and then the process of retrieval begins. He instructs his customers to allow the bait to drop slowly without any interference. Once it has stop falling, he suggests 'one revolution of the reel, short insignificant twitch, and repeat. This is just about when the hook up process should begin!
Let's talk a little about where to put your bait during these hot times. No matter what time of the year it is you have what I call easterly exposed banks and those that aren't. It's simple to decide which bank falls under which category. Any bank or oyster ridden area that faces an easterly direction is called 'an easterly exposed bank.' Banks that don't face in that direction are not. I think you got that for sure.
Banks Located in the Sounds with an Easterly Exposure
These areas almost always have some sort of wave action. The bottom line is even if you don't have wave action you have some sort of under water movement. This action brings in attentions of fish especially the smart ones or should I say, 'the exact ones that you are targeting!' With all that being said, these banks make for great areas to work with especially when the tide is slack. The reason being it that there is still going to be some movement even if the tide isn't running. There's more'the continuous movement from the east brings in a food source that much more rich in value than other banks. In other words fish here, because the fish are!
The other banks AKA oyster banks still have a lot to offer, but you really do need to visit them when the tide is moving. Easterly banks just offering a little different bite especially when you have the up side to why this is so true! It's time to get the old chart out and do a little checking.
Before I move on to my next subject I would like to list a few of the other artificial baits that are also working at this time: Berkley 'Gulps' 5' / 13 cm Jerk Shad 'Anchovy' and 5' / 13 cm jerk shad 'New Penny.' These two-named Berkley Gulp baits are next generation soft baits. The main thing is to purchase artificial bait that has extra elasticity as well as real life like softness. The next thing to remember once rigged is 'retrieving slow is the way to go!'
Please remember when working any particular fishing spot especially at this time, you don't need to just fish towards the bank. All fish especially spotted sea trout and red fish stage way back before migrating to the bank. A red fish's goal is to advance as soon as there is enough water covering the oyster rake area. Once the water gets to this point their second goal is move into their main feeding grounds 'the grass!'
Spotted sea trout are known for holding up and back longer, because they are waiting for that extra depth of water covering. The fact of the matter is some of the baitfish that the trout feed on does the same thing. The also need a little more water to escape into and from their attackers! With this being said, 'once you are set with anchor down, work the area over from all points of your boat.' You might be pleasantly surprised! I know I am every time!