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 Suggestions
Captain Ray Crawley speaks and I want to listen!
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable: A perpetual series of occasions for hope! Captain Ray…
Captain Ray is quickly becoming what can be labeled as the "red fish catching Guru" for this area. The reason being is that he studies this fish while they are feeding in the "wild!" He knows their quirks and what makes them "stay or stray away." Captain Ray told me this while I was fishing with him, he said, "a quick hook up" in most cases means "no more hits" for at least an hour. When we arrived I made my first cast, put my rod down, and I instantly had a red fish on. I guess I should explain why I had put my rod down in the first place. This happened in the wintertime and the fish were in "slow bite pattern." So therefore to keep me from "pre-setting and missing my fish" I put my rod down. It's as simple as that. It was a full hour before we saw another fish in the particular area.
In comes the reasoning why "red fish do what they do when" by Captain Ray. The fish thing that we talked about was the "noise factor," which definitely runs fish away from the area. This brings to light that when Captain Ray fishes with a group less fish are seen, because of noises made. So therefore you must be quiet, quiet, and quieter!
The first fish caught might have been the only one feeding or looking in this particular spot. Captain Ray suggests went this happens to go with the "15 minute rule!" This boils down to "fishing 15 more minutes" before moving to the next spot. For every fish you catch or for every hit received it suggested to reset and start you time clock.
Captain Ray also says, "larger beefy fish such as the red fish when hooked up put out scary "stay away scents," Along with this action "distress signals," are sent out, which are most likely picked up my other near by holding red fish." With all this being said Captain Ray suggests once hooked up that you calmly fight your fish or these possible echo's signals will send other fish far away.
Baits used need to be those types that make a quite landing. In other words, "not so many rings!' I call this "Olympic dives only!" This boils down to the least amount of rings made for your best shot at a bait landing that's not going to scare a fish off. Baits used should offer us the least amount of landing noise as possible.
Captain Ray has is this light tackle float design that is put together like this…
Cut about 36 inches of 25 pound test fluorocarbon leader material and tie a loop knot in one end. Then slip on a packaged slipknot or tie one in on the leader. The next step is to slide on a small red 4 to 5 mm plastic bead. (1/8-inch size bead) The float used for this rig is a small 3 inch white Styrofoam weighted float. It's shaped like a small buoy marker. It's best if you paint it black. Captain Ray paints all of his floats used for this style rig. It's called a "slotted weighted popping float!"
The best-described float style is shown on this page…go to… http://www.comaltackle.com/catalog/leaders.html. These float shown are pre made with leaders. This looks just like the float that Captain uses. However, he rigs his own leader, beads, bullet weight, and hooks. This just offer you the shape and design type that he uses.
Now he slides on two small bullet type sinkers…(about the size of a BB's.) Then he slides on a smaller bead than the first one. Now it's time to tie on your suggested hook and it's not going to be something that you are expecting. Captain Ray suggests and uses 4/0 "Eagle Claw" weed less style hook. Weed less hooks in this case especially when dealing with lots of structure such as "grass as well as oysters hangs" works to your advantage. Captain Ray also suggest that you take the weed guard on this hook and move it a bit back and forth so as to weaken it some. By doing this it increases your chance of a hook when you get a "so so" fish hit.
Captain mentioned another thing about our area especially when fishing in real shallow water. Our bottom areas are covered with some sort of black grass. He not sure and neither am I whether it's live, dead, or dieing grass types.
As far as bait in this case Captain Ray likes to use live shrimp. Once he cast places this set up he lets it sit. He doesn't move it. According to Captain Ray, if there is a red fish nearby it won't be able to resist the scent that this bait sends out. When fishing in such shallow water such as this it's suggested to watch the perimeter, because you will be able see the fish before it sees you! Please remember, "This is quiet time fishing!"
Inshore Summer Time Mud Bellies
May 6, 2008 fishing report
Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters called in an unbelievable fishing report that you can definitely use. This is especially after you understand how to work with this situation handed. To correctly explain this I have to take you back to the cold season in regards to spotted sea trout.
Strong currents producing extremely high and low tide stages cause the spotted sea trout to go into this what used to be called winter mode, in order to feed. As we all say, "large fish don't get larger because they are stupid." When the current is bad spotted sea trout basically put out what I call their "sea anchor." Well, it acts like one. They burrow down facing the direction necessary to put them in line with specific food deliveries…such live shrimp mud minnows.
As Captain Alan fished on this particular windy day he noticed that the trout caught had a strange ring around their belly. When it's cold this is a normal sight to see especially when fishing a nice sunny day. During the cold times trout find a spot, which fits into their parameters and basically burrows down. They do this by lying on the bottom belly down and moving until suction is formed. This suction holds them in place so that they can go in their winter hibernation mode. During the cold months and hibernation is in full force the only time they move to feed is when you have a warming trend. This why trout are called "mud babies!"
Now we know even during the warm to hot months by what Captain Alan reported that spotted sea trout also perform this sequence when currents are strong. The rule of thumb should be "when currents are strong fish seek the bottom!" All this boils down to the fact that they still have to feed, but to hold as well as chasing something to eat is going to be "hard pressed!" So therefore the spotted sea trout can hold tight on the bottom and feed on what happens by. This would be one time that the information could be especially good for fishermen to used when faced with this conditions. Captain Alan suggests putting your live bait either on or right above the bottom. When you get a hit or catch a trout concentrate of this area! Please remember trout school tight and it's now been ascertained they "burrow tight too!"
Captain Jack McGowan Sends Us His Fishing Up date for the past Memorial Day Weekend! It's time to notice the summer time changes!
The bite has been good! As Spring tides abated the bite has picked up. The flounder bite is picking up! Generally Memorial Day can be thought of as the time when flounder fishing starts. These fish can be caught on mud minnows, shrimp, and finger mullet as well plastics to pieces of cut or stripped bait. The whiting bite is still very good. Lots of sharks in local waters: black tips, Atlantic sharp nose, bonnet heads are providing most of the action. Small blue fish and ladyfish are also present. Spotted sea trout during the summer are usually around the front side of the barrier islands. Redfish can be found in areas with favorable conditions. As temperature rises look for redfish holding around docks, in deeper water and where bait is present.
Shrimp will be in short supply for the next few weeks. A few bait shops are importing shrimp from Florida: Yellow Bluff Marina and the Tybee Island Bait shop to name two. Adams bait shop is finding some local white shrimp. These shrimp are large and generally more difficult to keep alive. Nonetheless, large shrimp will catch fish. Artificial shrimp can work well under a popping float. Mud minnows are also a good alternative to shrimp. Brown shrimp will start showing up in a few weeks. Until then anticipate bait to be problematic. Bo Bowen owner of Bandy's is recovering from lung surgery. Bo's wife Liz has been running the shop. Keep Bo and Liz in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period.
Fishermen and boaters should check all safety equipment making sure all items are present, in good working, and up to date. A checklist of Georgia and federal requirements can be found at most tackle or marine supply stores. Reading the regulations on boating and safety equipment could spare a ticket and perhaps prevent a worst situation. In short the regulations are for the benefit of all who use the resource. One common infraction is calling up porpoises by slapping the hull of your boat. This is an activity that can put porpoises closer to humans than intended. Reading the regulations and finding what's legal and be beneficial.
Tides for the remainder of the month look good. Tides will be springing as we head into June. Spring tides are higher tides than normal. As a general statement tides increasing in size over 8 feet become more difficult to fish. Generally tides in the 9-foot range are thought as spring tides. Wind and strong tide can make fishing difficult. When conditions become rough fish lee shores and try to fish spots with wind and tide working together. Tides for the next couple of weeks look good! Hope this of help! Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan, Miss Judy Charters
Artificial Reefs
The action has been good with fishermen catching Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and cobia. As far a bottom fishing it's 80-20, meaning 80% of the black fish caught aren't over the legal keeping limit of 12 inches. However, there are other bottom fish such as pigfish, sharks, flounder, ocean perch, (also known as ring tail perch) and ruby red lips. You really never know what you might catch when you "go bottom fishing!"
Savannah Snapper Banks
This is the area that never seems to let us fishermen down. From plain old bottom fishing to trolling "action can be had!" We caught red snapper, grouper, red/white bone/knobbed porgy, vermilion, black sea bass, amberjack, dolphin, and king mackerel this past weekend. The bottom bite was best had with fresh dead or live cigar minnow or Spanish sardines types were used as bait!
Gulf Stream
Blue Water Bait Tricks
Although the run is long and costly it definitely worth the trip! If you have been reading you already know most of the drill.
I just wanted to offer up a few suggestions on bait trolled. There have been several different types of "fake plastic ballyhoo" on the tackle shelves. The first type that I pulled was made by "CALCUTTA" bait. It worked, but I can't find them any longer. The newest form that I have been able to find is put out by "WILLIAMSON Lures." I have pulled fake ballyhoo and they do work. After all when bait is moving smell isn't much of a factor. I did notice that when we were using these types of rigs that our drags had to be set a little higher. The reason being is that you wanted a hook up on the first hit. However, if you do get a hit, which results in a "no hook up" situation, I still suggest treating this lure as you would the "real thing." Drop them back as soon as possible. Please find listed some of the web sites that I have found these lures.
http://www.anglersupply.com/product.cfm?model=Bonita%20Strip%2010%22&manufacturer=Calcutta&type=Saltwater%20Lures (CALCUTTA Bonita Strips)
These types of artificial strips (as well as the real thing) work great when pulled as you would a rigged ballyhoo. Back in the old days, we really didn't even know what a ballyhoo was. Belly strips were all we pulled, because that's all we knew…and the fish hit them…so therefore if they worked then, they would work now!
http://www.anglersupply.com/product.cfm?model=Hoo%2DLa%20Hood%207%2D3%2F8%22&manufacturer=ILand%20Lures&type=Saltwater%20Lures (pre-rigged fake ballyhoo)
http://www.softbaits.com/lures.cfm?d=Live%20Ballyhoo%20Lure&m=Williamson (fake ballyhoo rigs)
Fake ballyhoo is shaped, looks like, and pulls like the real thing. The best news is that they don't wash out like the real ones do. This brings to light the thought that you could have more baits in the water than out!
I would like to make a comment when it comes to going artificial. My father once said, "If you are going to fish with the artificial stuff, fish them as you would the real thing. If you don't believe in what you are pulling "bites are certainly not going to happen!"
Freshies Report
Mullet Bites-A-Plenty!
As you know I am not an everyday freshwater fisherman. I am a saltwater fisherman that has been doing it for over fifty years. When it comes to a type of fishing that I'm not familiar I go straight to the source. Phillip Shiver chartered my boat to do a little offshore fishing, which turned out great! He got to catch ocean fish and I got to ask him questions about the fresh water variety. As we talked the subject of catching fresh water mullet came to light.
Here are a few tips that Phillip shared with me between "fish on and fish offs!" His favorite bait to use when targeting fresh water mullet is "small pieces of red wigglers." The rig used is simple and to the point" light pound test line, small hooks, and small type peg floats. As we talked the subject of setting the hook came up. He then told me that a mullet's bite was a little different from other fish. According to Phillip mullet don't slam it what they are going to eat, they basically nudge it or roll it before eating it. Once fishermen get this different sort of bite down pat hook ups every time should be on tap. Phillip also explained about the setting of the hook. If you set to hard you basically pull the mullet's top lip right off, which means "no hook ever here!" He says, "Set it lightly, but direct, not wildly." I know I had to make a face when he made that last statement.
From mullet's top lips to Swordfish's heads!
Believe it or not but they do have something in common!
A mullet's top lip can't support it own weight. To strong of a setting of a hook and the lip just pulls right off. Swordfish have the same problem. These are big as well as strong fighting fish. However, their head can't hold their own body's weight. So therefore when hooked up you can fight them, but not real hard or you will basically pull their head off! I just had to mention this! Back to the mullet!
Phillip also offered up his "set up mullet catching plan." Once he has decided on going fishing he puts "operation bring them on" mode into affect. In other words he sets up a feeding arena for the fish. The day before his fish catching bonanza, he set meal cakes out. I had to ask, "What's the heck is a meal cake?" He answered, "it's a hard cake like shape made from soy beans, which is used sometimes when targeting cat fish." At any rate he takes the cakes, drills holes in the center, drive stakes in certain areas where he has caught mullet before, and drop cakes on stakes the day before. As the cakes melt away a food source trail is set forth and the mullet come.
While purchasing his "meal cakes" at the feed and seed store he makes a few other purchases. Phillip picks up a couple "salt blocks" and bag of rabbit feed. Phillip strategically put out salt blocks in shallow water areas. To this arena he scatters the rabbit food pellets in the immediate area. As you can see Phillip is a serious fisherman!
According to Phillip the best time to do this "fishing dance" is during the months of July and August. As he was running back to pull in yet another king mackerel Phillip offered yet another great suggestion: He takes old tires, pulls the area that holds the air/tube together, and then cuts squares out of the tread surface area. According to Phillip this makes a great circular home for burrowing catfish types! A big thanks goes out to Phillip for taking time in between catching to offer up some great freshwater suggestions!
"Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!"
Liquor Branding!
My customers are always asking, "What kind of liquor do you drink?" My answer is always standard; "Crown Royal" is my preferred drink. I like it mixed with coke, water, and just plain over ice. The method determined is done so by these factors: How long I am planning on drinking and how fast I want to feel the affects!
Now I don't drink like my father did. His standard drink was "a lot of it every night before going out!" The fact of the matter is he almost drank a fifth of liquor every night. It didn't seem to faze him too much, because he always got where he was going. However, I must admit he did have a few instances where he didn't make it home under his own power.
When he was asked his favorite brand he had a standard answer, "OPL!" These letters meant "other people's liquor!"
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy