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
October 22, 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)
Gulf Stream
We are waiting for the "bills" to arrive! Now I'm not talking about the gas or fuel bill! I am talking about our own "sail fish fall winter run!" Our area, even though it's not talked about much, has a great "fall/winter Sail Fish Run!" The reason no one knows much about it is the fact that once hunting season is open "the real sportsman" scatter. Now for those fishermen that mainly fish already know the deal!
It's true and we are waiting for the "bills to arrive!" During this time frame, sailfish make a strong showing in this area. If you do happen to make that blue water run here's a few suggestions for things to look for:
Sailfish during this time are known more for "herding up" their intended meal. The reason being is that they are in fact just passing through the area making their intentions of "bulking up fast so that they can move on!" I have personally seen schools of these fish round up and take entire schools of fish out. It truly is a battleground scene especially if you know what to look for.
Sail fish can't help this, but when they are near a feeding opportunity their bodies light up and their sail goes up, meaning it a "for sure feeding deal!" I know from that last sentence you might think that I am talking in "tongues," but I am not!
Billfish are "serious batters at best!" This means when a food source is near and available they are going to "come in" swinging their build in bat. After all they don't have teeth so therefore they can't chew it up before they swallow. So therefore they beat it until they stun it, and then they inhale it! While all of this beating is going on, those ones being beat are trying to escape and they normally head straight for the surface. When this chase takes place the fish's body lights up and it's sail is up high! I have even seen a sailfish "toss weeds" to get to its next meal. Believe me when there is a possible feeding about to take place they are "so focused" on the immediate kill!
Another thing that this fish will do is to "round them up!" I have seen as many as five sailfish round up a school of fish so as to "attack and feed at will!" With their intended meal in the center I work the outskirts trolling with fishermen standing by to "drop back at first bating!" After all under these circumstances if they hit your bait and it doesn't "fall stunned immediately" why the heck would they chase it? They have an entire school of fish at bay! The bottom line especially during this time frame is join in and become a "billfish watcher!"