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
July 30, 2007
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Which includes:
Inshore report, Offshore Report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!" (Story)
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing especially during these "hot times" can be a little tricky! The bottom line is to not be afraid of trying different things to get the bite going. Here's a for instance:
Lets get inside a spotted sea trout's head
The main thing that you need to know is the fact that they are sight feeders. So therefore they feed better in a clear water environment. At this time there is quite an algae bloom-taking place making it hard to find good clear water. However, it can be found, but you have to really look for it. Fish got to eat to survive! With that being said, "Here's a little extra help so as to get that fish closer to your hook!"
Light tackle, popping corks, long leaders, and live bait come to mind first! When I say, "light tackle" I basically mean "ten pound test main line." In other words, get rid of the anything that's heavier, because it going too lesser your opportunity for a bite.
Popping corks can be put high up on the list of great fish catching inventions. The reason being is that this float can successfully deliver bait to most areas and with a mere pop of your rod you can call the fish up. The rule of thumb when wanting to get the best natural popping noise from this float is to use a back handed wrist-snapping motion. This basically means snap your cork back with the tip of your rod pointed down not up. Those that use the popping cork a lot have a sequence of "popping arrangements." Some fishermen cast and pop their corks three or four times. The rule of thumb when using this type of cork is to pause after a series of pops. For instance: three or four pops and then a 4 to 5 second pause then one to two pops with another shorter or long pause. You must remember that this float when popped imitates some sort of fleeing shrimp; certain sequences can imitate one or more actions of bait or baits.
The distance between your popping cork and bait used, which is determined by the length of your leader, is very important. Since you can't adjust your depth with most popping corks set leader lengths are made with details in mind. Firstly, if you are using a 30-inch leader then you must be targeting trout in at least five to six feet of water. The reasons being most trout feed in the lower half of the water column meaning that's where you need to place your bait offering so as to get you best shot at a serious trout hit!
Leader size is up to you, but please remember the clearer the water the lighter the leader needs to be. In this case, you want your fish to look at the bait first not your leader then your offering. Time wasted looking means "bites not occurring!"
I don't want to start an argument about hooks, but I guess it time to dive in and give you a few versions as well as scenarios. Hooks size and style should be determined by type of bait that you are going to be using. For the most part I can assume shrimp since it available and fish love them! So therefore lets talk about hooks in regards to shrimp. It's a known fact that "Kale Hooks" (number 1, 2 and 1/0, 2/0) are the probably the most used when going with this type of bait. Another bait to use with this style hook is going to be the old dependable, most always around spring, summer, fall, and winter is the mud minnow. This is the bait that doesn't require any "high maintenance." The main thing to remember when picking out your hook is that it doesn't over power the bait used and it's real sharp. Many a fish hit have been lost due to dull hooks.
During these times spotted sea trout can be on the large side. With being said, "big fish eat large, because their make-up demands it!" For those of you that want to step out side the live shrimp and mud minnow craze at this time I suggest going with live, but larger type bait. Here's a list of those baits that have been found in the stomachs of trout: pinfish, yellow tail, croaker, finger mullet, and peanut menhaden comes to mind first. However, any live fish that fits in their mouth will work. Please keep this in mind when going with larger baits, such as those listed, I suggest changing your hook style. The reason being is that you need to use a hook that can penetrate the bait and still leaves room to hook the fish. Long shank thin tinned hooks are going to be your best bet. This could be a hook as large as a 6/0, but it needs to be thin tinned to keep from over powering bait used. The hook placement needs to be looked at and selected per bait used. Pinfish are very hardly fish. Placing the hook through the top of the eye sockets is good. This placement helps keep the fish up right giving it swimming guidance. It also places the hook close to the top of the head section, which is where they stage their "killing hit!"
Here are a few suggestions for setting the hook up for live bait usage. Most fishermen just tie their leader on to the hook's eye. However, there is room for improvement in this "hooking game!" Adding a small swivel to hook helps your hook spin more freely. Believe me this added attraction would get you more solid hook ups than you think. The best way to add the swivel is to open the hook's eye just enough to slip it on to. After the swivel is on the eye's shaft then re place back to original setting. Now tie you leader on to the swivel, which is attached to the hook's eye. Now you are ready to hook your bait up!
Just-A-Drifting
Once you have decided where you are going to fish and anchoring isn't on your mind I suggest "just-a-drifting!" There are several areas that are great for drifting. The first option is going to be drifting the bank or beachfront in the current. The second would be a "formed rip!" These areas are "hotspots" for sea trout especially at this time of the year. When drifting I suggest casting out to where you are drifting not where you have already been. This is a great way not to compromise your "bite zone!" Large fish are smart and can be spooked easily.