Captain Judy Helmey
Miss Judy Charters
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956!"
124 Palmetto Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31410
912 897 4921 or 912 897 3460 fax
www.missjudycharters.com
December 1, 2008
Happy Fishing To All!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Red Fish and Their Tails…
Captain Ray Crawley's Cold Water Red Fish Search!
Captain Ray Crawley full time inshore charter boat captain with Miss Judy Charters definitely knows "FISH!" His most favorite fish to target is the ever-popular "red fish AKA spot tail bass." Since I have been fishing with Captain Ray before I already know he knows what he is doing. As I watched him work his artificial lure "confidence stood out!"
When a fisherman uses an artificial lure they had best believe in it. Call this statement made whatever you want. Some call it plain bad karma, superstitious, or whatever you want, but it's the fishing truth. For some reason you arm is an extension of the lure being used. If you don't work it with some sort of finesse all you are going to catch is your lure.
Captain Ray has lots of fish catching theories, but he always keeps this one same idea intact. And that's "think like a fish and you will catch one!" He uses all kinds of artificial baits from jerk to paddle tail. Captain Ray also prefers certain colors at certain times. Although he doesn't use the standard "popping corks" he does believe in them. The standard popping cork is "Cajun Thunder." At least this was the first one that I can ever remember seeing with all the bells and whistles.
According to Captain Ray the popping cork theory works quite well, but you have to understand it. Let's just say, "you are using a standard popping cork and you pop it!" If there is a fish is in the area this sound will definitely get their attention. I have always been told and have experimented with this cork's made noise that it imitates the fleeing shrimp. In other words, when you pop the cork it sounds like the tail of a shrimp "making big way." This signature noise rings the dinner bell for lots of fish especially those that like shrimp and tract them for food.
Captain Ray has another theory when it comes to the ways of a popping cork. He thinks that when the cork is popped it does in fact imitate a fleeing shrimp. However, according to Captain Ray fish come to the noise not only out of hunger, but also jealousy. If you think about it, even though "hunger and jealousy" are different both, it can make you act stupid, if not for a second. The popping sound can bring fish as faraway 15 feet. The bottom line is that your "moves and pops" must be made realistically not wildly. The best pops made are made by moving the "wrist only" not the entire arm.
Captain Ray doesn't use the standard popping cork he uses what I call mini floats. They are called "oval slip form floats," made by Betts "Billy Boy Bobbers." You can get them in non-weighted and weighted. The best to use in this case is the non-weight type. As far a size they come in 21/2, 31/2, and 41/2 inches. All sizes will get the job done, but it's my opinion the smaller the better. This float is set up is just like a regular traditional float, meaning quick adjustment in regards to depths fished. With this set up when you want to make a popping noise "just add beads" to float set-up equation.
Since we have talked a little about float fishing it time to "just fish naked!" Don't worry it's definitely a little too chilly for removing the clothes. However, it's a great time to just tie that lure directly on to the main line. Captain Ray does it a little different. He adds about 18 inches of 10 to 15 pound fluorocarbon leader and then he ties on to the main line. This is a good idea and you certainly won't loose as many fish or lures. This is what I call "fishing naked." All you have is the main line and the lure!
As far as what to tie directly to that main line here are a few of Captain Ray's favorites. He loves jerk baits hooked up weed less. This way he can cast just about anywhere so as to get his best shot at a hook up. I have seen him cast way in the grass, retrieve, hook up, land, and do it all over again. He likes "New Penny and Baby Bass jerk baits the best.
When the water is cold it seems that noise travels further and as far as I am concerned it's even louder. With red fish being so noise sensitive it's necessary to do all this casting, landing, and retrieving as natural as possible. The bottom line is "quiet is in and loud is out!"