CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
Captain Judy's email fishjudy2@aol.com
Captain Judy's Cell 912 429 7671
December 22, 2008
Happy Holiday Fishing To All!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Offshore Report
Let's see if I were fishing today offshore, what would I do?
I was sitting at my desk just thinking. The wind is blowing making sea conditions rough, which would make for a miserable day out on the ocean. So therefore I am going "fishing right now in my mind!"
Before I pushed off the dock I would take some frozen squid or even some fish if available. However, during this time of the year "bait on the boat before leaving the dock isn't exactly necessary." The reason beings cold water temperature means less bait in the water, which means, "those down under will eat just about anything you throw at them!" Now when you are targeting a specific fish I suggest going with special baits, which I will go into in a minute. The bottom line to bottom fishing especially at this time is that cut fish will work. To catch a fish to cut up all you need is just about any sort of jig, soft plastic bait, piece of a white t-shirt, or Sabiki rig. Put any of these on the bottom where you have any sort of fish and you will hook up.
Targeting Specific Fish
When targeting specific fish specific bait is needed. You could catch the fish of your dream with any of the above bait suggestions. However, if you want to target large bottom fish with big appetites then you have to do a little legwork. When the temperature drops below 60 degrees in 60 feet of water it's hard to catch live bait with the Sabiki rigs. However, these areas do hold the interest of small sand perch, ruby red lips, vermilion, and rock bass, which makes great live bait. My suggestion is if you are planning on fishing the Savannah Snapper banks that you by-pass these artificial reefs and head out to deeper live bottom areas. The reason being all those small bottom fish that I just listed will be there too. Another suggestion to is make the run out to one of the naval towers. They almost always have bait around them, because the water temperature is much warmer. Once you have collected, whichever bait you are looking for it's now time to "Go Fish." Although you must keep in mind you have been fishing all along, but for "bait only." In the bait catching department I have a lot of customers say, "We have already caught more fish than I have ever seen!" Catching bait is a lot of fun! There is absolutely not a thing wrong with counting it in your fish catching day!
When I have my live well full of choice baits I love to do what I call "run the gauntlet!" In my fishing world this means to head to the deepest isolated spots first. When I go this route I have about six places in mind that I want to fish. However, I do have to admit I rarely get to fish all six spots in one day, because the first two or three usually provides me with lot of fish catching action. The bottom line is that if you do get your bait down you will get a serious solid hit. The reason being those baits used is going to be the hardest ones to find even on the reef.
The bottom line is to fish with something that they don't readily have right there on the reef. Believe me you will get a more solid and bigger bite! I have done this time and time again!