Captain Judy fishing report ,Savannah, 2-27
Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
Captain Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
February 28, 2011
Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports, Freshies Suggestions, and Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not story! Thanks for Reading!
Table of contents
MISS JUDY CHARTERS 2011 CLASS SCHEDULE there has been a change..
Captain Judy Fisheries Comments
Oral History of Georgia Fisheries
Bait is starting to show up!
Cold Water Reds Fishing with Captain Ray Crawley on Thursday, February 17, 2011
Eddy-a-tized Finding different moving water in one place, what to look for, and what to do when you find it!
CIRCLE HOOKS ONLY WHILE BOTTOM FISHING IN FEDERAL WATERS
Savannah Snapper Banks Fish catching possibilities for April, May, and June 2011
Gulf Stream Stuff MAKOS
The 2011 Hilton Head Harbor Wahoo ShootOut!
Freshies Report Aging your bait!
Little Miss Judy Believe it or Not! A tire tale!
MISS JUDY CHARTERS 2011 CLASS SCHEDULE
Please note some changes have been made..
CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956
Inshore and offshore classes
Offshore Class
March 5, 2011 in the classroom has been changed to an on the water class Costs $ 125.00
Due to requests we have changed Saturday March 5, 2011 offshore class from a class room school to an on the water class .if you have signed up and have not been contacted, please give me a call 912 897 4921 or email fishjudy2@aol.com
March 6, 2001 Sunday offshore is still an on the water class $ 125.00
We still have a few spots left
Inshore class
March 12, 2011 in the classroom has been changed to an on the water class $ 125.00
Due to requests we have changed Saturday March 12, 2011 inshore class from a class room school to an on the water class .if you have signed up and have not been contacted, please give me a call 912 897 4921 or email fishjudy2@aol.com
March 13, 2011 Sunday inshore is an on the water class $ 125.00
We still have a few spots left..
On the water classes are departing from
Miss Judy Charters
124 Palmetto Drive
Savannah Georgia 31410
912 897 4921
Or visit
http://www.missjudycharters.com/directions.shtml
Captain Judys Fisheries Comments
I would like to welcome the new kids on the block. The Georgia Fisheries Alliance is a group of not only concerned fishermen, but also citizens that think that it’s time to speak out about current decisions made by those that govern our fisheries. I am supporting this soon to be organization and if you want to be added to the email list, please email gfanews@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgi…87653484588005
Oral History of Georgia Fisheries
Part one
With Captain Judy Helmey
Inshore waters are showing more signs of life!
Bait is starting to show up!
I have been seeing bait around my dock, which is located on Turners Creek. While inshore fishing this past week on the flats in the sound I saw small bait fish hugging the bottom and then making way in small schools. This is a sign that spring is springing into action!
Cold Water Reds
Fishing with Captain Ray Crawley on Thursday, February 17, 2011
Attachment 188204
Captain Ray Crawley and Captain Kathy Brown! Now I bet there is a story here!
Fishing with Captain Ray Crawley on Thursday, February 17, 2011
Low tide 1:25 PM
High 7:21 PM
Captain Ray picked Captain Kathy Brown and I (Captain Judy) up at 11:00 AM at my dock located on Turners Creek. It was Captain Rays fish plan to be where he was going to fish at the last of the out going tide stage. After a cold ride to the tune of about 47 mph to a flat located in Warsaw Sound we started looking for red fish. Its funny about this time of the year. The water is cold so therefore the ride to the fishing ground can be very cold. However, when you stop all those clothes that you have wrapped yourself up in has to come off!
After arriving to the fishing spot and after un-layering we started looking for red fish. Captain Ray put the electric motor in the water and off we quietly went in search of singles or schools for cold water red fish. When I am offshore I guess you could call it having an eye to knowing what you are looking at. Well, looking for red fish and seeing has two different meanings.
When you are looking for red fish up on any flat it helps to know what kind of structure is covered with water. With the water being so crystal clear you can see very well. However, if you dont know what to look for all things causing some sort of shading are either fish or not! In my case with Captain Ray as my guide he could say, No thats not a fish that a rock or a log or a branch of some sort! As soon he started seeing schooling reds holding deep he would point with his rod and I would try to get a picture.
Although this might not look like more than a water shot only its is not. Those darker spots are red fish holding right on the bottom. If you look close enough you can see right in the middle of the picture where a couple of red fish moved causing quite mud storm under the water. This fish were sitting perfectly still at least until our presences were known.
Attachment 188202
This is a picture of a log lying right on the bottom, which is supporting quite a bit of marine life. Its live structure like this that holds the interests of small bait fish looking for any sort of safe shelter. The log is sitting out in the middle of a flat all by its lonesome. So therefore any baits making way in this open area would appreciate an opportunity to hide or feed at this type of spot. Heres the thing if the small fish think its safe and there is a food value the bigger fish already have this spot dialed in. Any spots like this are potential areas that hold the interest of fish.
When you do happen to spot a school of red fish Captain Ray suggests to always cast out in front of where they are heading and to never cast directly into the school. When motoring (electric motor or push pole) down an area it is always suggested to have the sun, when possible, at your back. Once you have traveled the distance down the flat Captain Ray then suggest pulling away from the bank as if you are leaving the area. Once into deeper water you can then crank your engine and run back up the bank of which you just fished. The reason for this move is it gives the fish holding on the bank a forgetting period meaning out of sight out of mind. Once you get back to the starting point, kill your engine, and pull quietly back up to the bank putting the sun at your back again.
Once you find a school of red fish your first cast is always going to be a good indication of whether or not you are going to get a bite. I know this sound crazy, but if the fish are not spooked they normally will hit bait cast out in front of them. However, if they are spooked they will make a scattering run. If you are working a bank where the water is in the grass its suggested that you cast into grass in front of the school and then pull your bait out. The landing with be muffled and thing coming out of the grass is a very normal things.
Attachment 188202
This is a rigged weed less jerk bait, which works great when being worked in shallow water and in marsh grass. The best news is the way this bait is rigged once hit the fish doing so is most likely going to be hooked up. This bait was Captain Ray first choice. When he found that it didnt no matte how he worked it he switch to another style. He rigged up a circle hook with a 20 pound fluorocarbon leader and laced a piece of peeling shrimp on. According to Captain Ray, if a worked bait doesnt work give the fish something that they can smell. All you have to do with this bait is to cast it into the area let it sit on the bottom, and wait for hit. Once you get hit you bow to the fish rather than setting the hook. Please remember when using a circle hook you have to give the fish a little room to move, because it the moving that gets your fish hooked!
Eddy-a-tized
Finding different moving water in one place, what to look for, and what to do when you find it!
I know that this sketch once transferred on to a disc didnt come out too clear. Hopefully you can read it just enough to understand what I am suggesting. The arrows pointing to the left represent the main current of the river, which is the strongest. The top of the drawing shows an indention in the bank. Now if the bank was straight like on the bottom of the drawing the current would charge straight down. The bank on top with the indention causes water to reverse direction when the current is pushed into the pocket. When the current is reversed an eddy is formed right in the middle of the pocket. If the main current is extremely strong an eddy is formed and break off currents will still continue in the opposite direction down the bank. This reversed current, the eddy, and the continued current down the bank offers fishermen lots of catching possibilities.
At the first turn of the current, in the eddy, on the pocket wall, and current running backwards make for an interesting place for bait fish to hold. And all fish already know this. Picking a point to start is the easier part. Slap in the middle of the eddy is another spot that needs to be consider as a hot spot. The best way to find where the bait is holding and where the larger fish are feeding from is to let your float, float in the current with bait in tow. Believe me, I have done it, seen it, and fished situation like this before! The next thing you should be thinking is where can I apply this knowledge in regards to places that I fish?
Circle HOOKS ONLY WHILE BOTTOM FISHING IN FEDERAL WATERS
(When targeting fish in the snapper grouper complex!)
Effective March 3, 2011 in federal waters
New Circle Hook Requirement
From left to right Kahle, circle hook, and J style hook
The requirement to used non-stainless circle hooks north of 28 degree N. Latitude is goes into effect March 3, 2011
You can use regular J hooks at the Savannah River Jetties, the inshore waters, and beachfronts, but when you move to the offshore waters all hooks when targeting fish listed in the snapper grouper complex must use circle hooks.
For inshore fishermen this means
Please purchase circle hooks and put them in your tackle box. You never know when you might get a good day and you would want to go offshore outside of the three mile limit to one of the artificial reefs. When bottom fishing in the area you will need to use circle hooks not J hooks.
Heres just a few fish that are listed in this group: Sheepshead, scup, Atlantic spadefish, triggerfish, vermilion, grouper, amberjack, black sea bass, bank sea bass, sailors choice, red porgy, white bone porgy, knobbed porgy, bar jack, and etc .for the rest of the list please go to
To find the complete list of species in the South Atlantic snapper grouper management unit:
From left to right: Eagle Claw hooks series L141 G Kahle hook series
Eagle Claw L197 G series hook circle series
These style hooks are very sharp, thin tinned, and work very well
Artificial Reefs
The Sheepshead bite is very good with offshore fishermen easily catching their limit of fish. The best news is this type of bite should last until Mid April!
For those of you that wonder what other kinds of fish you might catch while fishing at the artificial reefs at this time here is a short list..Flounder, black drum, red fish, summer trout, trigger fish, scup, blue fish, cold water sharks, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks. Now you must know the next line is going to be You really never know what you might catch after all its the ocean!
As far as what you might see on the surface .right whales, great white sharks, thresher sharks, and blue fin tuna! Whatever you do dont forget your camera!
Savannah Snapper Banks
For those fishermen that like to plan ahead I suggest getting started. Heres you fishing catching possibilities for April, May, and June 2011
Vermilion Snapper also known as B-liners Season
Our vermilion snapper season will open April 1, 2011
Closed November 1 till March 31, 2011
Vermilion Snapper
For more information
http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/F…5/Default.aspx http://safmc.net/
Grouper Season
Our grouper season will open on May 1, 2011
January 1 till April 30 2011
Attachment 188205
Captain Judy holding up a nice scamp grouper
For more information
http://www.safmc.net/LinkClick.aspx?…Y%3d&tabid=139
Black Sea Bass Closure
Closes February 12, 2011 until opens on June 1, 2011
Heres a date that all fishermen need to be aware of. The black sea bass season will close on February 12 of this month. It will reopen on June 1, 2011. This means if you catch a black sea bass during the closure time you need release as soon as possible.
For more information
http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/F…2/Default.aspx
http://www.safmc.net/LinkClick.aspx?…k%3d&tabid=272
Gulf Stream Stuff
MAKOS
Juvenile Mako Shark, which charged my boat and acted as if it had the power to do something upon arrival. While bottom fishing at the Savannah Snapper Banks I watched as this shark stalked our boat while holding out on the outskirts. However, when a bottom fish was brought to the surface the shark must have picked up on the distress signals sent, because it basically charged our boat. I watched as the shark swam with fin out of the water while sporting it cobalt blue fighting colors speed right towards the boat. It was so intent on eating that it wasnt even bothered by the fact that I was at least 30 times larger than it. As soon as the shark made its approach the customer not knowing of the pending attack picked his caught fish out of the water, which really sent the shark into overdrive. It basically darted around the boat with an arched back, which said Ready to attack as well as feed! Before I could say anything it went after a small piece of squid on one of the bottom rigs. As soon as it felt the pressure the shark really put on a show!
Once hooked up the shark jumped and seemly sailed across the surface of the water. On one particular jump I saw quite a bit of light between it and the water. For every time I hooked up one of these fish it seems that they spend more time pulling away right on the surface. While making a strong the Mako would then jump catching lots of air with every leap.
What I know personally about a Mako Shark!
Over the years I have had a quite few close encounters with the mako shark. Once you get up and close with this fish you can realize a lot about them. Just looking at that mouth design makes you know that once they decided to attack something it chances for missing most likely isnt going to happen. It jaw is lined with wicked-looking teeth, which are sharply pointed with most of them curved inward. The eyes, which are on the large size probably, allow this fish to make precise attack moves. The coloring white bottom along with blue upper shows us that those above this fish especially in blue water will never see them coming and the ones below havent got a clue. This makes the moves of a mako more signature than ever.
I did a little checking in my library picking out the first book I came too, which was called Salt Water Game Fishes published in 1958. Here are some interesting things that found out about some of Makos that were caught, fought, and brought back to the dock in the good old days
According to the author, which was Edward C Migdalski, he came across some pretty interesting tails when came to the mako shark.
The largest Mako taken on rod and reels was 12 feet long and weight 1,000 pounds. It was captured off Mayor Island, New Zealand on March 14, 1943 by B D Ross
In the Western Atlantic the largest specimen recorded was about 10 feet 6 inches long and was taken of St Petersburg, Florida. Another Mako of 10 feet 2 inches was captured off New York Harbor. Heck, according to this book Ernest Hemingway took one on rod and reel of Bimini, Bahamas, that weighted 786 pounds.
The Mako is mostly a fish eater and is often seen pursuing mackerel and other fishes. The Mako is not one that will hesitate when attacking large fish. A 730 pound Mako taken off Bimini was found to have a 120 pound swordfish with bill included in its stomach. Another specimen of about 800 pounds harpooned off Montauk had been seen attacking a swordfish. When opened up the Make contained about 150 pounds of its victim.
The 2011 Hilton Head Harbor Wahoo ShootOut!
World Famous YELLOWFIN YACHTS have just agreed to offer a $ 20,000 voucher towards the purchase of any new YELLOWFIN YACHTS boat. The winning captain will receive this $ 20,000 voucher at the awards party on April 16, 2011.
Freshies Report
Aging your bait!
This is a good freshwater tip when targeting channel cats
Almost any kind of dead minnows will catch channel cats, but dead bait softens up with use and tears off the hook. Heres a way to keep it on the hook much longer.
Spread the minnows on a screen and let them dry in the sun for several hours. The screen lets both sides dry out and toughen up. Use the minnows as soon as theyre dry, or freeze them in a plastic bag to use later.
Those fishermen that want to GO FISH LAKE LANIER
Bill Vanderford is Lake Laniers Legend!
For more about my long time friend Bill Vanderford as well as his accomplishments, his freshwater charter trips or wildlife tours, books written and his special line up of tackle offered, please visit his site http://www.fishinglanier.com/contact.html for all the details! For more details go http://stores.ebay.com/Fishy-Racer http://www.youtube.com/fishyracer www.cafepress.com/grapefruitshop
Little Miss Judy Believe it or Not!
A tire tale!
While walking in my yard the other day I found this tree which has out grown my fathers self watering system. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how my father made good use of discarded auto tires. This one method of putting a tire around a tree was thought of as a good idea. As you can see when the tire was placed on this tree it was very small. My father reasoning was when it rained some of the water would get hemmed up in the tire, which was around the tree. Before placing the tire around the tree he would make a few slices on the side facing down. These semi openings would allow water to seep down in the ground watering the tree when it most likely needed it the most. Since according to daddy the drier the ground the more the water was drawn to it.
And of course there is the mosquito breeding factor. Basically where there is standing water it becomes a hatchery for these insects. My father never mentioned this and I dont think it ever crossed his mind. It was his thoughts that the big cigar that he smoked took care of keeping these biters away!
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia
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