Captain Judy fishing report ,Savannah, 4-2
Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
Captain Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
April 4, 2011
Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports, Freshies Suggestions, and Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not story! Thanks for Reading!
Table of content
Sharks are biting! Inshore sound fishing
Whiting bait and use as bait
Best bait for whiting bites
The Big Red Fish Snub!
Best baits to use when trying to catch a red fish
Artificial Reefs The Sheepshead is still the deal at this time!
Savannah Snapper Banks Its time to go this area, because as of April 1 vermilion snapper season will be open!
Captain Judys Vermilion Catching Formula
Circle Hook Only! The tower of power! About All Navy Towers
Gulf Stream Its now time to make you plan to go blue water fishing!
Freshies Report! Chattahoochee Grand Slam LAKE LANIER AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT by Bill Vanderford
Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not! Mid Night Sun Restaurant
Sharks are biting!
Inshore sound fishing
When its 65 degrees everything comes alive!
Well, it has finally happened. The water temperature is now right over 65 degrees. And if you have been following my reports you already know this means When its 65 everything comes alive! With that being said, This new fish bite has taken a rod bending experience to another level! All this boils down to we are catching fish while bottom fishing in the sounds and the rivers connected to them. So therefore for those that just wants to go fishing while leaving the technical stuff out of it now is the time!
The recipe to catching small to medium to large whiting is to just fish on the bottom in around 15 to 18 feet of water. I suggest that you anchor near a sand or mud bar, which seems to always get this fishs attention. In the whiting world we have small sometimes referred to as juveniles and mediums, which we call ladies and gentlemens. When a whiting is larger than most its call a Bull! Over this past week while just fishing in the sound we caught juveniles, ladies and gentlemens, and few bulls. Kind of sound like some sort of secret code does it? The bottom line is these fish arent what we called big boys, but it certainly is a lot of fun catching them on light tackle. And the best part of all is the fact that we are now catching and not just fishing only!!
Whiting bait and use as bait
This is a live whiting, which I have hooked up behind the dorsal fin. This is great bait when allowing it to just swim about. Believe me you might not be able to see them, but distress signals were being sent out as soon as this fish was dropped overboard. This black leader that I am using is a custom shark rig that I have made. You can use with an egg sinker to keep the fish deep or you can just let it swim naked or put under a blue water popping cork.
The whiting although you cant see it is under the popping cork. This style rig works especially well when just drifting in the sound. It allows the bait fish to stay lively and doesnt work them too hard. Live bait is the ticket to catching sharks, rays, cobia, jack crevelle, tarpon, and etc Although all these fish listed like the live stuff. They will and do eat just about anything that strikes their fancy, meaning dead or alive!
Best bait for whiting bites
If you have been reading my report you already know that small pieces of peeled shrimp, pieces of not peeled shrimp, shrimp heads, and small pieces of cut whiting work well as bait when target whiting. If you didnt you do now! So here is the thing….When fishing these areas for whiting I suggest putting one of those whiting out for bait. Its best you use whiting as bait when they are alive. As far as hooking the bait up I suggest doing so behind the dorsal fin. This set up allows the whiting to swim seemly freely, but while doing so distress signals are sent out bringing on the attention of large fish. While using this technique you could find yourself catching some interesting fish. As far as what we caught this past week spinner and black tips sharks! Our crazy spring bite is on!!
Prefect size mud minnows!
The Big Red Fish Snub!
I think that its time that we fishermen understand that just maybe the old red fish has had enough of us chasing and spying on them. Even if they cant talk the signs are there. Take for instance: On some days especially the sunny ones the old red fish will pick up your bait, but wont try to eat it. And heres the thing, if you set the hook too soon you almost hooked up fish will be gone. So with this scenario in mind, I suggest casting into place and putting you rod into the holder. The best thing then is to not to watch your cork, but the end of your rod only! The also was my suggestion for last week too.
Best baits to use when trying to catch a red fish
During this time of the year finding and purchasing different kinds of bait used can be a problem, because some times there isnt a bunch of availability. Heres what I do know will work now, but not all of the time. Mud minnows work lipped hooked under popping or adjustable corks. They will also work with used without a cork. Old smelly last years fishing season frozen shrimp, which hopefully were packaged with heads on. Fresh dead, live, or frozen mullet and fresh flash frozen shrimp purchased at the seafood section of your grocery store.
Artificial Reefs
Fiddler crab hooked up and ready to catch a Sheepshead. The hooks point is pushed into one of the crabs leg sockets. This application does not kill your bait.
The Sheepshead is still the deal at this time!
Savannah Snapper Banks
Its time to go this area, because as of April 1 vermilion snapper season will be open!
Vermilion snapper also known as b-liner
Best bait to use when target the vermilion snapper is cut squid, cut fish, fresh frozen cigar minnows, and/or Spanish sardines. If you want to target the larger vermilion over the smaller ones I have come up with some what of a formula.
Captain Judys Vermilion Catching Formula
When there is a school of vermilion hovering over the ledge it seems that the larger ones can be found on the top layer. The means the larger vermilion suspend over the smaller ones. I am always suggesting to my customers to drop to the bottom and then to reel up about 10 to 15 times. On my reels every time you complete one turn on the reel you have retrieved about one foot of line. Once situated about 10 to 15 feet off the bottom I usually suggest setting the hook every time you got a bite. However, since we are now using circle hooks only in this same scenario I will suggest to slowly drop their rod when they receive a bite. Believe me with the circle hooks our customers are going to have great time catching more and missing less fish!!
Savannah Snapper Banks
There is good news as of April 1, 2011 the vermilion snapper also know b-liner season will be open!
Vermilion Snapper also known as B-liners Season
Our vermilion snapper season will open April 1, 2011 till October 31, 2011
Circle Hook Only!
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.
The tower of power!
This is a picture of one of the Naval Towers that we have offshore. In our area there is R2 navy tower, which we call the South Snapper banks tower, M2R6 navy tower, which is called middle ground snapper banks tower, and R7 navy, which is called North Banks tower.
The R3 navy tower is consider south Gulf Stream tower and the R8 navy tower is considered north Gulf Stream tower.
About All Navy Towers
As you know I am always talking about fish around, over, and the out skirts of the structure. Well, think of the towers as one of those very good structures that holds fish, but it sticks out of the water. Here are a few tips that will definitely get you closer to the attentions of fish
The towers legs
The legs that hold the towers up are great place for small fish to feed and feel safe. All larger fish know this. So therefore snacking around the legs is always a good place to find something to eat. Its also a good place to run around in the event that you are a big fish when hooked up. The fish might not understand what the pressure is that they are feeling when hooked, but they do know and learn running through the legs of the tower some times offers a bit of relief. So as far as you can see down into the water the towers supports (legs) are holding the attentions of fish.
Shade provided
The towers offer shade on the water at different times in different places. I know you know this, but the sun as it rises or falls causes the shades coverings to move around the towers. You know this and the fish know this. So therefore working the shaded areas around the tower is a good thing, because the fish are going to do the exact same thing.
Certain directions
All towers have what I called Make up. This is what I call patterns for where the fish normally hold. Take for instance: The M2R6 Navy tower also known as the middle snapper banks tower has quite a bit of Make up. I know for a fact that if I troll 160 degree out from the leg facing south east I most likely will catch king mackerel. It seems that the kings hold out and away from the tower to keep about from the toothy monsters. (cuda) The hits I have received working this area have most been while heading away from the tower. I know all this sound crazy, but over the years patterns also known as make ups happens.
Gulf Stream
Its now time to make you plan to go blue water fishing! Believe me it doesnt matter whether it for bottom fishing or trolling its happening right now! All thats left to do is to take that blue water ride!
Freshies Report!
Chattahoochee Grand Slam
LAKE LANIER AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT by Bill Vanderford
April 1, 2011
Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier are finally around 60 degrees, and the lake is at normal pool and rising. We are in a very wet spring season and Lake Lanier’s fish are beginning to feed heavily everywhere. Soon all of the fish will be going nuts trying to eat and spawn!
Stripers are being caught on points using flat-lined shiners and smaller lures like the Swirleybird. When seen on the surface, stripers and big spotted bass will attack the NEW Pro Series Swirleybirds with wild abandon! I’m also catching quite a few fish on 1/4 ounce Swirleybirds with a plastic trailer!
We’ve already caught lots of walleyes and stripers on jet boat trips to the upper Chattahoochee River, and it’s time to get an early chance at a CHATTAHOOCHEE GRAND SLAM!
Trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam for both rainbow and browns is great! Most trout are being caught during lower water levels on Swirleybird spinners, small spoons, and jerkbaits. Jet boat trips are great for this type of fishing, just call 770-289-1543. It’s going to be a great spring fishing season!
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 Judys Believe It or Not!
Mid Night Sun Restaurant
Many years ago I was ask out to dinner. Back then we called it a date. I dont know what they call it today. It started out pretty interesting when the car that picked me up not only had my date, but also a driver. I didnt think this was strange, but rather very exciting to say the least! As we rode the conversation quickly went from fishing to the subject of flying. At this point in my life I hadnt been in an airplane!
My father had been on a plane three times in his life. According to him this would be his first, middle, and last flight. So therefore flying certainly sounded exciting, but I wondered what daddy would think. I figured it best not tell him about this adventure until my return. There was no used to worry him. So therefore a flying I went! I really didnt want to seem too excited about the whole ordeal, but I truly was!
According to my date he had made special reservations at a restaurant called Mid Night Sun! I heard what he was saying, but getting on the plane was exciting enough without all those other trimmings! As the big jet took off I knew immediately that I loved flying! Taking off was the most fun! However, after reaching a quick altitude the plane leveled off and started to descend. It took longer taking off and landing than it took flying to the big city of Atlanta. Once we unloaded we were picked up by yet another chaffered car, which drove us directly to the Mid Night Sun.
For those that are familiar with this restaurant and find that my accounts of it are a little out there, please understand this is what I truly remember. When I was a young woman I wouldnt have been considered a country girl, but I could be called a river girl! This place was very elegant with those waiting on you promptly. I should have felt out of place, but really never though about it. It was all so exciting! Its not that I wasnt pleasing to eye or anything, because I was what you would call a keeper! I had looks, but really didnt have all that other stuff such as which fork to use where and what to order when. However, I never had a problem with that I just let someone do it for me! In this case it was my date, which definitely knew what he was doing in regards too many matters!
When the car dropped us off we walked into a room with glass walls, which had two escalators. There was one marked up and other down. Since we were already up we took the one marked down. Even if my date had explained what I was about to see I still would have been shocked. As we made our way down the moving stairs I notice a waterfall directly in front of me behind the glass wall. As I scanned the room the entire restaurant appeared to be surrounded by a behind the glass waterfall. It was unbelievable to say the least!
As we were seated I noticed that each table was strategically placed so that you werent close to anyone and that you had a great view of the falls. The fact of the matter there were large boulders everywhere. I do believe that they were the real thing probably stolen straight from Stone Mountain. These large boulders were placed between each table offering up somewhat of a private theme! At least thats what I thought. My date seemed comfortable with his surroundings as if he had been here and done this many times before.
For dinner I had for the first time Gazpacho, (cold salad soup) which was so good that I can almost taste it now. The bad news is that I have ordered it since then and it wasnt that good at all. He then ordered escargot, which turned out to be a funny name for plain old snails cooked in a shell. They werent so bad until I looked them up and found out why there were so crunchy. It was because of the hundreds of teeth involved! The meal continued to be a big hit with me not really knowing what was going to be brought to the table next. The main course was thick rare steak, which was unbelievably cooked just right!
The bottom line to this story is this the evening was so impressive that I still remember it like it was only last week. However, this evening took place about 37 years ago. I wonder if the Mid Night Sun Restaurant is still is open? Its not because I want to go back, Im just curious! I wouldnt want to change up any of those memories that are logged in my old memory banks! Back in the real old days when I was young, old people (my age!) used to say, What you do today could possibly be with you forever! I never knew much less cared what they meant. Now I know for sure they were right!
Every day I write, because I am so worried about forgetting all the unbelievable things that I have experienced! I am trying to cover it all from fishing to fun!
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia
——-
