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
September 3, 2007
HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Captain Judy's Saltwater Fishing Report
Which includes:
Inshore report, Offshore Report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!" (Story)
Offshore Fish Catching Mania!
From 30 to 110 feet water there is plenty of action to be had
If an offshore fisherman wanted to make a hit with his invited fishing friends I have a few suggestions that can make that happen! Firstly, I suggest only asking those fishing friends that want to "just fish" and not "target a specific fish!" Some of my most memorable fishing trips have been those customers that "just wanted to fish!" I'm not saying, "That they didn't have wants and wishes in the catching department!" I'm just saying that they wanted to catch something that offered up some pulling action!
For those fishermen that don't want to go any further out than the artificial reefs there is plenty of "fishing sport to be had!" Spanish and king mackerel are holding steady around and over the wrecks. However, it's hard trying to land them due to the fact that the toothy monsters are "quick to hit your hooked up fish!" So therefore it's going to be best to fish schools of these fish on the out skirts of these areas. For those that want to do a little bottom fishing the artificial reefs areas are known for having some action in this department at this time. The secret to this fish catching suggestion is to fish the isolated spots out and away from the main bulk of artificial area. You could find yourself catching black sea bass, grouper, or red snapper. As the fall approaches this bite is only going to get better.
The best bait to use is going to be alive and kicking. I like to use small baits such as cigar minnows and Spanish sardines. These live baits are a prefect mouth full for any bottom fish. Isolated areas such as these don't seem to hold the attentions as much of the toothy monsters. I believe this is due to the fact that the only feeding activity taking place is near the bottom and not in the upper water column. Barracuda's (toothy monsters) hold in waiting in the upper water column around the high structure and don't move to attack until some sort of feeding takes place. Barracuda fit quite well into the "kill no matter what category!" They kill out of general instincts, due to jealousy, and attack anything that penetrates their personal holding zone. In other words "fish away" from the structure!
For those fishermen out there that want to give offshore fly-fishing a try it's that time of the year. Schools of little tunny are solidly holding on the surface making it easy enough to cast in a sinking fly! All you have to do is to "get instep with the school," cut your engine, and begin presenting your bait offering. As I said earlier fly-fishing is an option. Another options are to cast into the school any sort of sinking lure such as the small butter fly jigs. I have found that those lures that fall into the 4 ounce 4 inch range are a prefect fit.
Now this is one fish that knows what it wants to eat for sure. It's my opinion that squid is their preferred diet. I have come to this conclusion due to the fact I have done a little stomach contents inspection and also seen first hand what they can do to a school of squid. I have talked a lot in my fishing reports about larger fish herding up other smaller fish in order to hold them for a later feeding time.
Well, this is so interesting that I had to share it with you. Little tunny do the herding thing also. However, they don't seem to be herding up small fish, but rather squid. It seems that the little tunny eat after the school disperses rather than when the squid are schooled up.
Side Bar About These Real Smart Squid
We don't catch a lot of them, but when we do they are normally about 4 to 6 inches long. That's their body length not including the tentacles. This is one of those most interesting baits, at least this is what I think, that we catch. The reason being is that it has a beak hidden under all those tentacles. Even though the squid is only 4 inches long it can still deliver a painful bite. I should say, "Its beak is capable of taking a chunk out of what it can lock down on!" Believe me I have been there and experienced that!
Squid don't get along with anything that you have in your live well. I have seen a single squid cause an entire school of cigar minnows and Spanish sardines to give "heads up." This just means the entire school "got tight" and moved to the other side of the tank as far as they could from the single squid. While the school was getting tight the squid was turning "blood red" in color. After this staging event the squid then inks the entire tank making the water so dark you can't see anything. This eventually clears allowing you to see once again the squid ruling and the school of cowering down fish.
In the wild when squid feel threaten they school up tightly forming what I would normally call a "bait ball!" However, in the case of the squid when the schooling event takes place especially when they feel threaten the entire school turns "red!" This causes what first looks like some sort of blood pool. Then once you look a little harder you find out it's entirely something else. This "raging red ball" formed by mad squid is taken seriously by those fish that caused it in the first place. When a normal bait ball is formed large fish wait in the perimeter and file in when feeding is to take place. In the case of the squid the fish in the perimeter basically move away and don't come back until the "red light" has dimmed. Apparently, squid that school up and turn red don't feel that staying together is an asset for survival. This must be due to some sort of communication planned that when they break up they "blow much ink!" This act provides them with a temporary cover of darkness that allows them to disperse individually into different directions. This is when the little tunny once again pursues their feeding frenzy!
Savannah Snapper Banks
Since we have already started talking about "fall fishing inshore" it's time to make the same statement about offshore. I'm not saying the water temperature has dropped, because the underworld occupants don't need that to put the migration patterns into motion!
Here's My Line Now Bite My Hook!
Captain Judy
"Fishing Physic!"