Capt Judy Helmey, Savannah, Fishing report 12-9
Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
Captain Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
December 12, 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
Call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit http://www.joinrfa.org/ JUST DO IT!
2012 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS Dates have been set
Surf Fishing Report
Inshore fishing reports Flounder Pounders!
Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters catches and tags a lot of red fish!!
The Toothy Wonder strikes again!
Stripers and wipers
Its time to on board! Jelly fish and their friends
Artificial Reefs what are those that decide the faith of our fisheries doing?
Please meet the Brooks family catchers and releasers of 263 black fish
Trophy Red Fish at the artificial reefs
Savannah Snapper Banks..Grouper season will be closed January until May 1, 2012
Blue Water Report Making this run can certainly be interesting!
Freshies Report Photo from my new fishing friend Corey!
Little Miss Judys Believe It or Not! Holiday Moonie Shine Recipe
JUST DO IT!
If you want to keep catching these ..join the Recreational Fishing Alliance NOW!!
Captain Kathy Brown of Miss Judy Charters is holding up a nice size amberjack, which was caught at the Savannah Snapper banks. The amberjack sometimes referred to as the reef donkeys are very strong fighters. The fight starts at the first run and it doesnt stop until the fish is landed. The term reef donkeys came about when it was decided that if you found a ledge with amberjack schooling in the upper water column you chances for getting to bottom without hooking up is very slim. In most cases this is a very good thing!!
Recreational Fishing Alliance
POB 98263
Washington, DC 20077-7581
Call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit http://www.joinrfa.org/
I am willing to fight for my right to fish .Heres what I like about this organization .their stated mission is To safeguard the rights of Saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our nations saltwater fisheries!
Please join the RFA today! A one year membership is only $ 35.00!
http://www.joinrfa.org/About_Us.htm
2012 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS
Dates have been set
Our newly revised inshore handout material is going to be considered priceless! We are going to give you the best times to fish for what, when, and where for the entire year of 2012.
Any inshore fisherman that is considering going offshore they need to attend my offshore class. For more details scroll down
One Inshore School
Saturday February 4, 2012
One Offshore School
Saturday February 11, 2012
Time: 8:00AM 2:00 PM
Place: Tubbys Tank House 2909 River Drive, Thunderbolt, Georgia 31404
Cost: $ 90.00 (included one day class, breakfast, and lunch)
Please call 912 897 4921 now for reservations
Please sign up as soon as possible! There is limited entry!
Capt Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
Capt Judys Cell 912 429 7671
For more detailed information go to
www.missjudycharters.com OR GIVE US A CALL 912 897 4921
To sign up just give us a call or email fishjudy2@aol.com and we will put you on the list. After the first of the year we will contact to check the status! Thanks and hope to hear from you soon! Captain Judy
Inshore fishing reports Flounder Pounders!
Even though the water temperatures have dropped inshore fishermen are still catching some nice flounder. The secret to getting this fishs attention is to use some sort of live bait such as shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows. Put this bait on the bottom and wait until the cows or should I say fish come home!!
Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters catches and tags a lot of red fish!!
When the water gets colder the old red fish moves a little slow. I suggest looking for this fish in areas that the dolphins cant get too. Places like the flooded marsh areas are great places for a red fish to feed. The secret is to get there before them.
The Toothy Wonder strikes again!
Dr. Brad Durham of Savannah, Georgia also known as The toothy wonder had a great inshore fishing day. His guest was Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters. As you can see from the picture they kept two nice flounder and 10 spotted sea trout. Now heres what you need to know this is only what they kept not what they caught! Now you know the rest of the fish catching story!!
Stripers and wipers
Photo by Captain Matt Williams
For those fishermen that like to fish cold waters your chances for catching stripers and wipers is a good one. The Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers are the best places to do a little scouting. The best baits can be anything from a buck tail jig to a live shrimp. To find a school of feeding fish I suggest that you let the diving birds be you guide!!
Its time to on board!
Jelly fish and their friends
This moon jelly fish is really a floating cover for hundreds of small fish and shrimp. I know this isnt a great picture, but I think you can see what I am talking about. It truly is amazing how shrimp, fish, and crabs ride with the jelly fish. I guess you could say, This is how the small fish get where they are going without getting eaten by the bigger ones!
Artificial Reefs
What are those that decide the faith of our fisheries doing?
Captain Kathy Brown of Miss Judy Charters is holding up a nice black sea bass, which was caught while using fiddler crabs as bait. However, if I used a piece of cloth it wouldnt have made any difference the black sea bass would have still bit my hook. Please know that the black sea bass season is closed and will not open until June 2012. The reason being is according to those that decide the faith of our fisheries have deemed that over fishing is occurring when it comes to black sea bass. Its is my opinion as well as the opinion of my customers that there are so many black fish that its really unbelievable. We run 4 hour offshore trips, which take an hour to get to the fishing drop, which boils down to 2 complete hours of fishing. We normally catch 100 to 150 black sea bass, which are always properly released.
Please meet the Jarvis family catchers and releasers of 263 black fish
On November 26, 2012 the Brooks family (party of six) caught and released 263 black sea bass in two hours. So far this is my 2 hour record black fish catch for 2012. Congratulations Jarvis Party!!
Trophy Red Fish at the artificial reefs
Timothy Martin and Captain Deidra Jeffcoat are braving the high sea conditions while trying to stand on the deck of the Miss Judy Too! Timothy is holding his nice just caught 36 inch trophy red fish, which was fought, tagged, and released!
Attachment 209560
Savannah Snapper Banks
Grouper season will be closed January until May 1, 2012
I havent been in a while, but just so you will know 2011 grouper season will close on January 1, 2012 and will reopen on May 1 2012. It truly is an interesting trip to take especially for those of you that want to see some nice genuine red snapper up close and personal! I wish I could say when the red snapper fishery will open. We dont have a season for this fish. It was closed due to over fishing!!!
Blue Water Report
Making this run can certainly be interesting!
How many Mahi Mahi do you see in this picture? All of these dolphins have one thing in common they are definitely not in a feeding mode. The reason being is if they were their lights would be on! For those that dont understand what I am talking about heres the short version
When a dolphin also referred to as a Mahi Mahi get interested or start to feed all colors on this fish immediately show. As you can see in this photo these fish was all the standard color. However, as soon as these fish got interested the blue and yellow lights would have come on!
Blue water fishing
Its cold, but the Gulf Stream is running at around 78 degrees. Yes, its a long run, but you really never know what you might catch. The best news about this time of the year especially when it comes to the blue water bite is fish that are on the move are always hungry!
Freshies Report
Photo from my new fishing friend Corey!
This is a steelhead (rainbow) trout that come into the river /creek during winter that runs behind my house in New York.
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!
Holiday Moonie Shine Recipe
According to my father the longer a moonshine tornado lasts in the jar the higher octane in regards to the contents. Once this mason jar of who knows what proof moonshine was spun around a few times this strong tornado appeared. However, if I went by my father tornado spinning equation I can only assume that this moonshine was close to 200 proof! My fathers granddaughter Cindy loves this stuff mixed with pink lemonade!!
Holiday Moonie Shine Recipe
I had a family on board the other day that came from a long line of Moonie shiners. In fact some of them had served short to long sentences in the big house for their unbelievable desires for making the drink. According to the said family none of this drink making was for sale. It was only for medicinal purposes. Im sure you remember the television show, The Beverly Hillbillys. This show had a member of the family whose name was Grannys. Doctor Granny used this so-called tonic for her special doctoring techniques. In fact while she was concocting her tonic she would be over come by all of the tasting. All of this tasting would often lead her to having to take lots of small afternoon siestas.
Back to the Fishing Charter
This particular family that charted my boat had a grandfather that spent time in the big house with Big Al Capone. The grandfather was in for bootlegging and we all know from our history books what Big Al was in for. The grandfather told his family that Big Al was no more than a Big Sissy behind bars. As we talked on the boat we all decided that it was only because he didnt have his Yes Men behind bars with him. This group being from a long line of Moonie Shiners shared parts of their secret recipe with me. A part of the recipe was fine with me. I didnt want to have anything that might get me put in the big house. As we talked, other parts of the family would put in their two cents worth. For instance, as soon as he started telling me about the main ingredient of oranges another stood up and said Over Ripen watermelons were better and easier to deal with. So therefore we started talking about watermelons. According to them you best bet for ripen watermelons is to go to the farmer market. Watermelon farmers are glad to sell you an over ripen truckload for $ 25.00. Now it also sounds like the farmer is part of this deal too. For the story sakes and the length that it could reach lets say the needed fruit to start the shine is obtained, which is a truckload of watermelons. You will need to get your machete and shovel out. After splitting the melon with the big knife use you shovel to dig the meat out. The meat of the melon then is put in a 35-gallon can. Once you fill this up with melon, add pounds of sugar, some yeast, and then top off with water. You then need to cover these put together ingredients and store in a well-ventilated place. When the word well-ventilated place was mentioned all looked at me and said, This is real important part of the process. Your so-called Mash must be able to breathe. I didnt ask, but I am sure that they meant that it might blow up if it was in a lock-down situation. As you can see this is a very dangerous. So I wouldnt be trying this at home much less anywhere else.
Another story popped up!
One of my customers said, Thats exactly how he got caught! He was letting his ingredients work and then it happened. The room in which he had it in blew right off the trailer that it was attached too! His wife was so mad that she turned him for moon shine making!!
According to the professionals after a certain amount of time, which could be days or weeks only the maker knows for sure the mash is ready for stage two. It is then poured into a stainless steal tub, better known as an old re-modified beer keg. Before the invention of stainless steel kegs just plain old copper or steel pots were used.
Other Mash Secrets
All concurred that mash had a visible way of showing you when it was done. It seems that when all ingredients are mixed together in this 35-gallon trash can the ingredients gets to working. By working, as they explained, bubbles start rising to the surface. In fact when the mash really starts working you can hear the bubbles popping on the surface. This process goes from a few bubbles to multiple bubbles. Supposedly when the bubbles stop the mash is consider done and ready to work with. Its still hard to believe that the hard stuff starts in this fashion!
Straining the Mash
Once they started talking about straining the mash I assumed that they would use a large colander, but I was wrong. They used panty hose. The fermented mash was poured into NEW, pair of panty hose. (Believe me I had to ask.) As the hose filled the liquid was drained off. This helped eliminated the core part of the watermelon. All they were interested in was the precious liquid.
Its time to really cook the liquid mash
Once the now liquid mash was poured into the keg the top was sealed with the exception of this little coiled copper tube that came out of the top of the keg. This is supposed to be where the liquid is to escape. Back in the old day they would just make a fire with hot coals. However, in the new times a gas burner did the trick of cooking this stuff. As it cooks the liquid escapes through the copper tubing. A pot or a so-called liquid catcher is placed under the opening of the tubing. Heres comes the technical part. I hope I got this information correct. You dont want the liquid to come out to fast, because if it does this means that the proof of your drink will be not good enough. There is a basic rhythm to the drop of the shine. According to the persons telling the story it takes years to get this pace down. At any rate they luckily had the basic secret information passed down from their long line of moonie shiner maker ancestors.
First Proof
Heres the fun part for the maker. As the liquid drains off the maker, which now becomes the tester has to be taste it periodically. The reason is a simple one. Once the liquid stop tasting like shine and starts tasting like water this is the sign that the cooking is over. The first cooking will probably yield at least 100 proof of so-called shine. However, to get it up a few notches you must run it throw the cooking process again. This only means more cooking, watching, and tasting. This second and probably third run though could yield up to 200 proof. This is also known a Pure Rocket Fuel! Any more processing and you might be putting yourself as well as your family and neighbors in harms way. According to the cooker two times is all you need, because youre drinking it not using it for demolition!
Checking the Results
The best way to do it is to pour some into a small bowl, light it up, and watch it burn off. The flame tells you all you need to know about your cooking abilities. According to the story, the bluer the flame the higher the proof. Now in my fathers case this would have been a problem, because he was color blind.
There were other little things that they shared that I am sure are real important to the proper making process. However, I wanted you to read about it NOT MAKE IT!
All this talk brings back old childhood memories. I probably could have made a killing if I had saved all of the copper tubing that daddy kept in the old black house. I really never thought about it until this story was shared with me. I though that daddy just allegedly helped Old Al transport the goods not make it! You know what they say about history repeating itself. I will let you know how it all turns out!
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 12-9
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
December 8, 2011
LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 12.44 FEET, THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 56 DEGREES.
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jim Mathley, www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764
Spotted bass fishing is good. We have been focusing on pockets and points near the mouths of the creeks as well as steeper main lake rocky banks and points in the lower lake for the majority of our fish. The visible schooling activity has decreased some this week and the fish in the lower lake are relating more strongly to the cover than last week. There have been some very good fish pulling up shallow at times and can be caught with jerk baits, crankbaits, jigs, as well as a Fish Head Spin. Windblown main lake rocky points as well as secondary rocky points next to deep water seem to be the ticket to find these shallow fish. There are still fish out deep relating to the timber, and these fish can be caught on a spoon or drop shot. The timber is your best bet for numbers of fish right now, but the size of most of those fish is two pounds or less. When searching for these fish, use your Lowrance electronics to identify subtle structure changes. Where there is bait, there is or will soon be fish. A consistent big fish bite should occur in and around the timber in deep water as the water temperature continues to decline. As always, once you find a creek, pocket, or main lake area holding bait and fish, you may have success by rotating that area with other areas you find holding bait and fish. Fish move up and down in the water column throughout the day, and in the same context move from deep to shallow. Given that, if you have success at one point in the day in a particular location, you may return again later and enjoy further success in the same area.
This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On! Guide Service, 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com
Striper fishing is good. The colder temperatures this week has not made a significant difference in the fishing. We continue to have two patterns. There is still a down rod bite on the South end of the lake in the creek mouths. Use your Lowrance Structure Scan to find these fish and drop baits to them on down rods. Trout, Gizzard Shad and Herring are all working. The key difference is with Herring you will also pick up a few spotted bass. There is also a bite half way back in the creeks on flats and long sloping points. The key continues to be bait. Target the creeks with a high concentration of bait and focus on nearby flats and points. Start out early with a "spread" of planner boards, free lines and hang a couple of down lines over the side. Vary the distance of your baits behind the boards; keeping the bank side planner boards shorter than the deep water side. I usually start with a trout and Gizzards on the outside boards and herring on the inside boards and behind the boat. After the first couple of hours move to deeper water and weight your baits with a couple of split shots. Keep your eyes open for diving birds and ensure you have a Captain Mack’s 1/2 ounce bucktail with a trailer tied on to cast. Flowery Branch, Mud, Orr and Flat creek are good places to start. On the north end of the lake try Ada, Gainesville, Little River and Wahoo creeks. Check with US Army Corps of Engineers web site to find a list of the ramps that are open before going out. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed.
http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier…Elevations.htm
See the New Bait and Tackle Store On Lake Lanier. Island Bait and Tackle is located on 5825 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford Georgia 770-614-0080 www.islandbaitandtackle.com. Check with US Army Corps of Engineers web site to find a list of the ramps that are open before going out. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed.
http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier…Elevations.htm
December 8, 2011
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 12.34 FEET, STAINED & 54 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL
Bass fishing has been great. This is the time to catch a lot of fish. Numbers are easy to catch with the cooler temperatures and low water. Lake conditions right now are really low. Use extreme caution when navigating the lake right now. With the lower water stay within channel markers when navigating areas that you are not familiar with. The best ramps still available are located at Yellow Jacket Creek access. These conditions although difficult to run have made for some great winter time offshore fishing. Learn to use the Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan technology with the new Generation 2 machines. Catching thirty plus fish a day is very possible. The two best baits are a jigging spoon and drop shot rig. For a jigging spoon use silver or gold half ounce jigging spoons. On sunny days use silver and cloudy days switch to gold. For drop shot rigs use a number one Gamakatsu drop shot hook tied eighteen inches above a quarter ounce drop shot weight. Locate bait offshore in depths eighteen to twenty feet of water. Fish are positioned on structure relating to the main river channel. Once you have located fish stay put as catching numbers is very possible.
Hybrid and striper fishing is great. There are two patterns dominating right now. You can catch fish by down lining live shad on humps and rod beds. If fish have scattered from offshore structure switch to trolling medium depth crankbaits such as a Bomber Fat Free shad in a shad pattern. Troll baits near the main river channel. As you begin trolling these areas look for bait that is grouped up and fish will not be far behind them.
Crappie fishing has been fair. Trolling has begun to pick up a little this week. Troll a 1/8 ounce Poor Boys black chartreuse curly tail jig. Troll these baits in the ten to twelve feet range going into creeks such as Half Moon and White Water creeks.
December 8, 2011
LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 11.59 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR
This bass fishing report is from Matt Driver 404-456-6094 www.proanglerradio.com
Bass fishing is fair and we do not think the rain we had will change a lot. The crank bait bite is one of the best things going. Cover lots of water in the 5 to 10 range with something like a little John mid running CB. Fish are a little scattered right now and are more tight to cover after the cold front. Even thought the water is still in the low 60’s there is a pretty good drops hot bite mid like. Fish the drop shot in the 15 foot range in the mouth of creeks between red top and Bartow carver. Fishing should get better when the cooler air sets in.
This Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides Report Is Bought To You By Robert Eidson Of First Bite Guide Service. www.firstbiteguideservice.com 770 827-6282
Line side fishing is good. The rain we had again earlier this week as really stain the north end of the lake. This really didn’t hurt our fish because we were not spending that much time north of the S turns any way. There are fish in the S-Turns but mostly white bass. The umbrella rig bite is starting to be the best over all bite on the lake. Free lines and planner boards are working early in the morning and then again right before dust. But end between sun up and sun down the umbrella bite is king. There is a down rods bite buy nothing like the umbrella bite. We caught most of our fish again this week on our umbrella rigs then using live bait and that is about norm for most of the winter. We are targeting the flats from the S turns all the way up to Clear Creek. We are not fishing in the Allatoona arm right now. Theres a ton of fish moving up on flats and points to feed on small threadfin. Catch them on jigging spoons or Rooster Tails if you can get them deep enough. Fish these baits at 10 to 12 feet deep. The flats off Gault’s have been good, as well as the island at Harbor Town and Bartow Carver. Seagulls are starting to show up. Key on birds and topwater and have a Super Fluke, Sammy or Zara Spook ready. Pull flat lines and planer boards, and later in the mornings pull a lighter three arm umbrella rig.
December 8, 2011
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 8.75 FEET, CLEAR & 58 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and there is a little colored up in the creeks and rivers this week. The cold winds and the cold fronts slowed the fishing down a little. Jigging spoons over suspended bass early and then slow retrieves with a suspending jerk bait are fair. Finding the bass is easy but staying put in the wind might be a little difficult. Carolina rigged worms and Zoom mini lizard in green pumpkin would be your better choice during the windy days but be sure to use a larger plain egg sinker and 0ne ounce would be best. The Rapala DT16 will work on the suspended bass. Downsize your tackle during the winter months. Eight pound test line might just be that added edge you are looking for. The Bass Fishing Lake Hartwell guide is for sale. Ask for a free sample via e mail. Lake levels are from www.lakelevels.info/?StateID=GA
December 8, 2011
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 10.75 FEET, 57 DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is fair after the cold front and the heavy rain. The blue back herring are now being found in large schools all over the lake now and the Bass are getting fat in preparation for the cold Winter months ahead. Be prepared to fish a lot slower this week and down size your baits will improve your chances. With the cold weather, try the Number 4 RS Shad Rap and nothing bigger than a Number 5 Jointed Shad Rap. Bass will move up along the banks during cold weather just after mid day. Use the Sufix Elite 10 pound test line and these baits coupled with a good fiberglass cranking rod draw some bigger bass. Try the combination and head up in the rivers and use a slow stop and go retrieve. You may need to make a lot of casts and cover a lot of water. The results can be the best and biggest bass this month.
December 8, 2011
LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.44FEET, CLEAR & 59 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and the rain and strong winds hit did slow the fishing. Beaverdam Creek is showing some good colored water along with the area off the Savannah River north. Some bass are still holding tight to cover in ten to twelve foot of water, while others choose to suspend out on the main lake. Jigging spoons will work on the suspended bass, but picking apart the heavy cover with jigs and tubes will catch those stubborn bass. Don’t forget to fish all the Rip Rap Rock you can find along with the large rocky points. DT10’s bouncing off the rocks will trigger the more active fish to strike. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
December 8, 2011
LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR, 57 DEGREES BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is good and there is a good lipless crankbait bite going on right now. Look for shallow grass flats in about 4 to 5 feet of water and throw a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Old Glory or the chrome and black pattern. Sometimes the fish will be on top of the flat and the trap will catch them, but sometimes the fish will be on the edge of the flat in a little bit deeper water. A great way to catch them is to throw a Stanford Medium Razor Shad in Summer Color. Another pattern that is really turning on is flipping main lake grass lines. When flipping, look for about 7 to 8 feet of water and use 1 ounce weights, 5/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Worm hooks, a Snell Knot, and a 6" Big Bite Baits Kreit Kreature in watermelon and green pumpkin. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools.
December 8, 2011
LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 2.95 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR
Bass fishing is good and now is a good time to fish visible stump filled flats, creek flats and main lake drop offs or around islands. Use the crank baits along weed lines, plastic worms, lizards, tube baits or topwater lures in and around the lily pads. Also, any point with wood, weed and rock cover should be fished hard with a variety of lures, in many ways. Fish with spinnerbaits right up in the lily pad fields. Frog imitations are very weedless and one of the best lures in early winter around lily pad fields. There are loads of schooling bass in open water situations that can now be fooled on jerk baits, swimbaits, crankbaits and lipless lures. Keep a top water bait rigged and ready.
December 8, 2011
LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 4.63 FEET, 51 DEGREES & STAINED BY COLLINS GUIDE SERVICE
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama. E mail ken@havefunfishing.com
Bass fishing is fair and the fish have started moving to a deeper winter pattern. Some bass are being caught on rip rap rocks on jigs. A Carolina rig is working well for the deeper fish on main lake points and ledges.
Crappie fishing is fair and the fish are starting to bite again on the old river ledges in 8 to 16 feet of water. Spider rigging with live minnows is producing and the float and fly is also producing well
December 8, 2011
LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.36 FEET, 62 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.
Bass are moving to the points and creek bends down lake and are tight on cover. Down lake, use the Rattle Back 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh, on the heavy cover. The crank bait and spinner baits cast on the bank cover and slowly worked will get strikes. Later in the day, spinner baits down lake in the creeks are fair, just work bank cover. Stanley spinner baits with bright blades will draw shallow strikes as the bass move to the creek banks and points during the day. The Zoom water melon seed lizards on a Carolina rig, has been good later each day. Also on creeks on old channels, use a Culprit red shad worm on a Texas rig with the brass and glass combination. Work baits right on the bank around any cover. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
December 8, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 1.75 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR.
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Bass fishing is fair. There is a light stain on main lake, stained up the rivers. With the drop in air temperatures this week the fishing has slowed some. The fish are still in the middle to the back of the creeks and coves, as is the bait. The buzz bait bite is gone for now. It is time to switch to a spinnerbait. Work the structure in the creeks with a white spinner bait in the clear water and a chartreuse spinner bait in the stained water. As the water temp drops slow down your retrieve. The smaller crank baits are still producing some fish from under the docks. When you contact the dock supports stop your bait for a few seconds some times this will trigger a strike. It jig bite is just around the corner so be ready when the water temp drops.
Line side fishing is good to excellent. Keep an eye out for the birds as they are starting to show up. The fish have shown up this past week from the 44 bridge to the dam. The early morning bite has been off of the charts most days. If Georgia Power is moving water you can run out of bait fast. The fish are starting to school. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools. When you find the fish drop the live bait to them. Down lines are out producing the flat lines this week. A always keep an umbrella rig ready for a change of pace. This is also the time of year that the spoon bite is very strong. Always keep several spoons ready and will fish them with the live bait. Now would be a good time to take a child fishing. Sugar Creek has the Capt. Mac umbrella rigs in stock along with Okuma line counter reels and Okuma striper rods and a complete line of striper gear. Just in they have Captain Macs spoons and crappie jigs for the winter season. If you like to see the Lowrance HDS units in action give me a call and we can show you how it works. You can have an on the water demo. 404-803-0741. Make plans to attend the Atlanta Boat show January 12-15. Come to the fish tank and say Hi.
Crappie fishing is good The crappie are showing up in the middle of the major creek. Live bait is the best bet for loading the cooler. Use your Lowrance to locate the fish and drop a live shad down. Keep moving until you locate the fish. They are scattered all over the major creeks but when you find them they will feed. The spider rig bite should start up in the next few weeks.
December 8, 2011
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 3.26 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 60 DEGREES
Bass fishing has been fair with the cold weather and runoff. Use the Rattle Back black and blue or all black 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh on the heavy cover. The bass are tight in cover and the Zoom lizards in pumpkinseed colors is barely fair. In the creeks on points close to the current use the dark jig and pig combination fishing tight in any cover on the bank as far out as 15 feet. Use some Real Craw scent and use it often casting to the same location. Cast a perch Storm Thunder Stick jerk bait and add the suspend dots and make the bait suspend on any retrieve. Pull the bait by and wood or dock and let it sit there and beg for a strike.
Our DVD, Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass is now on sale for only $ 25.00 including shipping. Send a check payable to Southern Fishing Schools Inc. to: Southern Fishing Schools Inc to 106 Hickory Ridge Drive, Cumming Georgia. Please allow 14 days for delivery.
The 2012 Atlanta Boat Show is January 12-15, 2011 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Come and see our fishing seminars.
The Great Southern Fishing Show will be held at the North Atlanta Trade Center January 121-22, 2011. We have shallow water seminars, fly fishing, guide trips and much more. Seminars will be posted soon.
Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting FREE! Sonar Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. The BASICS OF SONAR seminars are held on the last Saturday of each month at 2pm. All seminars are subject to change without notice.
If you would like to have a free set up sheet for your sonar, send me an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net and ask for the Sonar Setup Quick List. See the new Lowrance machines at www.lowrance.com. Lowrance Announces New Mark-4 and Elite-4 machines.
We have these BASS FISHING books for sale: BASS FISHING LAKE LANIER, BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE, BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books are written exclusively for Bass and each book covers every week of the year. Each book $ 39.00. If you would like a sample of any book, send us an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040.
Copyright 2011, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. calls us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654
2012 Atlanta Boat Show Lets Go Fishing Center Seminars Presented by Allstate!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
2:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
3:00 pm Drop Shots, Carolina Rigs and Jerk Baits, Tyrone Phillips
4:00 pm Lake Oconee Fishing, Mark Smith
5:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
6:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
7:00 pm Drop Shots, Carolina Rigs and Jerk Baits, Tyrone Phillips
8:00 pm West Point Lake, Chris Bell
Friday, January 13, 2012
1:00 pm Lowrance HDS, Ken Sturdivant
2:00 pm Drop Shots, Carolina Rigs and Jerk Baits, Tyrone Phillips
3:00 pm Trolling for Stripers, Marty Allagood
4:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
5:00 pm Fly Fishing Accuracy Beginner to Advanced, Rene Hess CCI
5:30pm Phil Johnson, Spotted Bass Secrets
6:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
6:30 pm Fish Head Spin Techniques, Rick Stickelberg
7:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
8:00 pm Lake Oconee Crappie, Al Bassett
Saturday, January 14, 2012
11:00 am Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
Noon West Point Lake, Chris Bell
1:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
1:30pm Lanier Bass Tactics, Jim Mathley
2:00 pm Crank Baits for Bass, Ken Sturdivant
2:30 pm Kayak Fishing 101, Drew Gregory
3:00 pm Fly Fishing Accuracy Beginner to Advanced, Rene Hess CCI
3:30 pm Springtime Spotted Bass, Phil Johnson
4:00 pm Fish Head Spin Techniques, Rick Stickelberg
4:30 pm Lake Allatoona Bass, Matt Driver
5:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
5:30 pm Bass Tournament Basics, Matt Driver
6:00 pm Lake Oconee Crappie, Al Bassett
6:30 pm Float-N-Fly Techniques, Matt Driver
7:00 pm Spotted Bass Brush Pile Techniques, Captain Marty Allagood
8:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
Sunday, January 15, 2012
11am Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
Noon West Point Lake, Chris Bell
12:30pm Lanier Bass Tactics, Jim Mathley
1:00 pm Bass Tournament Basics, Matt Driver
1:30 pm Fly Fishing Beginner to Advanced, Rene Hess CCI
2:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
3:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
4:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
5:00 pm Advanced Striper Techniques, Ken Sturdivant
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
Frisco Rod and Gun fishing report 12-4
Posted on December four, 2011
Here is the Frisco Rod and Gun Outer Banking institutions Fishing Report for Hatteras Island:
These days was a gorgeous day. We had partly sunny skies with mild east winds at five mph. The temperatures ended up in the mid 60′s. Tomorrow is supposed to be about the very same as right now. Down on the Buxton beach front some speckled trout had been caught. Cape Position had plenty of sharks and skates. The Frisco seashore had some true good fishing nowadays. Great blow toads, bluefish and sea mullet. Some nice keeper speckled trout and flounder are being caught also. The Hatteras beaches had some blow toads and sea mullet. Offshore fishing was pretty great today. The climate was genuine good and lots of black bout tuna ended up caught alongside with a couple of albacore, scattered dolphin and wahoo, one particular wahoo was a citation dimension at 49 lbs.
We have all of our In retailer Woolrich garments on sale at 30% Off.
Come by and see us at Frisco Rod and Gun!!!
Outer Banking institutions Fishing Report twelve-3
Posted on December 3, 2011
The following is the Frisco Rod and Gun Outer Banks Fishing Report for Hatteras Island:
The weather nowadays was primarily sunny. We had north-east winds 10-17 mph and the temperatures ended up in the mid 50′s. Tomorrow is meant to be nicer with light north-east winds at ten mph and highs in the mid 60′s. Down about Cape Level there had been a number of red drum caught. Im also certain of the dimensions. Lots of sharks and skates way too. Up and Down the Frisco and Hatteras seashores there are nonetheless blow toads and sea mullet becoming caught. Offshore nowadays a single boat fished and they caught some nice wahoo, a handful of black bout tuna and dolphin.
We have all of our In keep Woolrich garments on sale at 30% Off.
Occur by and see us at Frisco Rod and Gun!!!
Outer Financial institutions Fishing Report 12-two
Posted on December 2, 2011
The following is the Frisco Rod and Gun Outer Banking institutions Fishing Report for Hatteras Island:
These days was great and sunny. The winds have been mild out of the north-east at ten mph and the temperatures have been in the mid fifty′s. Down on the Buxton beaches there had been a couple of speckled trout caught. A t Cape Position there nevertheless plenty of sharks and skates becoming caught. Down the south seashores in Frisco and Hatteras there have been a good volume of blow toads about. Offshore fishing today was a tiny slower but the seas ended up tranquil. A number of wahoo, king mackerel and some black bout tuna have been noted.
We have all of our In keep Woolrich clothes on sale at thirty% Off.
Come by and see us at Frisco Rod and Gun!!!
Outer Banks Fishing Report twelve-1
Posted on December 1, 2011
Right here is the Frisco Rod and Gun Outer Banks Fishing Report for Hatteras Island:
December is here and Christmas is right close to the corner. We have great gifts for each and every sportsman or sportswomen. Right now was mainly sunny and calme. The winds were from the north at fifteen mph and the temperatures have been all around fifty degrees F. Fishing appeared to be a tiny much better these days. Cape Position and far more sharks and skates with a couple of bluefish combined in. On the Frisco Seashore we had excellent catches of blow toads, sea mullet and a couple of bluefish. Down at Hatteras Inlet a handful of blow toads and sea mullet had been noted. No boats out yet again nowadays due to the rough situations.
Frisco Rod and gun
252-995-5366
http://www.friscorodgun.com/about.html
Sport Fishing Community forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
Oregon Inlet Fishing center report 12-4
by Denise
These days we had two boats go fishing offshore. They returned to the marina with catches of blackfin tuna, a limit of tilefish and a significant bluefish catch. There was also one inshore boat that went out for a early morning excursion, returning with a good catch of speckled trout and dog sharks.
twelve/four/eleven
by Korin
Our offshore fleet had a good day of tuna fishing. We had catches of the two yellowfin and blackfin tuna reported, with the greater part becoming yellowfin tuna. There were also a handful of wahoos acquired in to the dock as nicely. We have makeup charters availble you may possibly inquire by telephone and indicator up in person or online only. To guide your following charter give us a call at 1-800-272-5199.
Oregon Inlet Fishing Middle
(252) 441-6301
http://www.oregon-inlet.com
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
Red Drum Tackle shop fishing report, Buxton 12-4
With ten to 15 huge drums landed at the level nowadays, you would believe that it can be adequate to be phone a fantastic fishing day, but it received much better. Blow toads and sea mullet have been noted on the south seaside and speckled trout north of jetties. Flounders have been noted down at the inlet. Sunny temperatures for the next handful of days ought to support the fishing….
eleven-30
A single Big Drum at the point early this afternoon. Some Toads on South Seaside and rumor has it that a couple of Trout were caught in the vicinity of the Jetties. I do believe that is much more than just a rumor. No report from possibly inshore or offshore boats today. Have a pleasant evening – Grumpy.
Thursday Fishing Report
The fish of the day has been named several names – most of which can not be posted on this internet site. Most frequently called Dogfish and these days they had been almost everywhere and staying caught on no matter what baits were becoming utilised. There were a few Trout caught on North Beach and South Seashore developed some Blowtoads and a number of Sea Mullet.
When the Dogs slacked off, the Skates showed up in power and that caused a few much more cursory words. Tomorrow will be a greater day – Grumpy.
Friday Fishing Report
Sharks and Skates nonetheless becoming caught at the position today,For the early birds Trout were caught at the rear of the motels and at the jetties this morning.On the south seashore little Flounder and little Bluefish have been caught, Blow toads keep on to be caught up and down most shorelines. Off shore a number of dolphin and wahoo had been landed together with Blackfin Tuna. The climate looks wonderful for the week-end so "Come Get You Some" HOOP-DEE!!
Saturday Fishing Report
A sunny but BREEZY day on the OBX these days,If you wanted to come to feel a tug on your line the level was the area to be these days lots of little pet dog sharks.On the south seashore little Bluefish and modest Blackdrum had been the catch of the day.No off shore report these days, Looks like a great week climate wise "Come Get You Some" HOOP-DEE!!!!
Reddrum Tackle
Buxton, NC
252-995-5414
http://reddrumtackle.com/
Activity Fishing Community forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
Ocean Isle Fishing Center report 12-4
Finally obtained out on the drinking water with a very good buddy of mine. We ended up hunting to decide on a fight with a redfish, but they were not in the fighting mood right now. We noticed a handful of tails and spooked a significant university, but could not get a bite. The trout are nonetheless right here as that was our secondary program. We managed to choose up fifteen to twenty fish with several of them being right at 14 inches. We only had a single good keeper at 17 inches. We the two had other obligations to fill this afternoon and had to head back to the hill. New recreation plan for tomorrow…Zach and I strategy on going right after them in the morning. I will leave you with a picture of the recreation plan. It labored excellent last yr about this time. Stay tuned…See ya on the water!
– Capt. Jacob Frick
Attachment 209308Attachment 209309Attachment 209310
"Under A Rock" | OIFC Globe Cat / Carolina Cat | 12/03/11
Just in circumstance you’ve been underneath a rock, or with no a laptop or computer like me, this is the link to the video of the great white shark off Wrightsville Beach front this week.
– Capt. Rickey Beck
"It is Dec is’nt it" | Get Occupied | 12/03/eleven
You would by no means know it by this afternoons weather conditions. Jeff and Josh Wallen drove up from Myrtle beach and could not wait around to get on the drinking water. I still had a couple of reside shrimp pinned up. The gulps had them chewing. We only fished for a couple of hours and boated twenty+ fish a few of black drum and a tiny flounder. If you cannot figure out what to get the man or woman that has every thing, do not neglect to give them a day on the drinking water with an OIFC captian fishing.
– Capt. Jeff Williamson
Attachment 209311Attachment 209312Attachment 209313Attachment 209314
"Observation report" | OIFC World Cat / Carolina Cat | 12/01/11
North wind laying out seashore front flat, ganets diving, pogies up and down the seaside, big unfamiliar splashes more off seashore……….whats out there? Is this the winter season the Bluefin return? Standby, we received our eye out for them, and if some thing occurs we’ll allow you know. Have heard plenty of pogies alongside Frying Pan shoals. I recall when we had the Bluefins right here couple a long time in the past, we have been viewing pogies together the beach front, just like I observed nowadays……..
– Rube McMullan
Ocean Isle Fishing Middle- Ocean Isle Beach front, NC for more reviews and approaching fishing information visit www.OIFC.com —
910-575-FISH
Activity Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
Hatteras Harbor fishing report 12-4
Great temperatures with calm seas and hotter temps. Skies have been overcast for the later element of the day. Outstanding Blackfin Tuna fishing, excellent Albacore. There was a scattered Dolphin bite and a few Amberjack caught.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
One boat out fishing today. They reported a nice Wahoo catch,Blackfin Tuna and a scattered Dolphin bite.
Citation 50lb Wahoo caught on the Tuna Duck nowadays by George Henderson of Cynthiana, KY.
Friday, December 02, 2011
Fishing was on the slower side nowadays. There ended up a few Wahoo, King Mackerel and Blackfin Tuna as well as a scattered Amberjack. Weather was wonderful with serene seas and mild breezes.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
There have been no boats fishing for the final few of times. Hopefully they will be fishing tomorrow and the weekend
Hatteras Harbor Marina
P.O. Box 537
Hatteras , NC 27943
http://www.hatterasharbor.com
800-676-4939
Sport Fishing Message boards – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
Capt Judy Helmey, Savannah, Fishing report 12-2
Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
Captain Judys email fishjudy2@aol.com
December 5, 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
Surf fishing report
Red Fish Mania!! Captain Alan Collins
Flounder fishing we do go! Pam Reynolds holding up a nice fish!
Captain Jack McGowan of Miss Judy Charters always has lots to say, Especially when it comes to fishing! Heres his report .
Artificial reefs A Family Tradition in the making!! Please meet Perry, Jenn, Carl, and Sharon
Savannah Snapper Banks
Freshies Suggestions Just in time for the holidays! Bill Vanderford
Gulf Stream Report!
Little Miss Judys Believe it Or Not! Fishing on the hill not over the hill!
Surf Fishing Report
No reports received at this time
Red Fish Mania!!
Captain Alan Collins
November 25, 2011
Inshore fishing with The Stewards and Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters
The fish were not the only ones swimming on this particular fish day!!
From Left to right: Nathan Stewart, Matthew Stewart holding a nice 22 inch red fish, Captain Alan Collins for Miss Judy Charters, and Mitchell Stewart holding a nice 2 ¾ red fish
Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters is holding Mitchell Stewarts just caught, fought, and tagged 28 inch red fish. But there is more to this story while Mitchell was fighting this fish, Captain Alan leaned over to keep line off the boats gunnels and into the water he went. As you can see he is a little wet from his quick and very cold polar bear plunge into the water. However, not a thing changed even when he was in the water swimming with the fish that was hooked up by Mitchell!! Its was all good!!
Flounder fishing we did go!!
Pam Reynolds is holding up a nice flounder, which she caught while fishing with her better half Captain Rick Reynolds of Miss Judy Charters
Captain Rick sent me this picture and then he added a few points that could help inshore fishermen get a better chance at catching fish. Lets talk about what we can learn from this picture. To do so you need to focus on whats showing behind Pam. To the left side of Pam there is a small clump of marsh grass. Behind this clump of grass there is a tiny creek mouth that drains the marsh into the main river. Pam was fishing in that mouth when she noticed her cork go into that small clump of weeds. According to Captain Rick, Pam was having trouble with her reeling hand and she could not get it out of the weeds. Captain Ricks plan was too give her line a quick jerk so as to pull it out from behind the weed. However, once Captain Rick applied just a little pressure the old flounders tail flopped out of the water. Pam then worked the fish through the weeds and then landed it. Once on the deck, Captain Rick noticed that the flounder had spit up a nice shrimp, which it had completely peeled before eating it.
So here are a few things that Captain Rick brought to light if the shrimp are getting peeled, but no hooks ups are occurring then nines time out of ten you are fishing in a flounder spot. This most likely would mean more than one flounder in the area. He suggest that in some cases giving a flounder at least 20 seconds to eat before setting the hook is a very good idea.
Its my opinion that red fish crush and drag your bait. Spotted sea trout attack, kill, and quickly eat your bait all in one pass. And of course the old flounder takes its time peels your shrimp and the eats it. Next time you are peeling and eating shrimp just think about the flounder doing it with no hands!!
Captain Jack McGowan of Miss Judy Charters always has lots to say, Especially when it comes to fishing! Heres his report .
Fishing prior to the last set of spring tides was good! As tides built over the Thanksgiving holiday the bite became increasingly problematic. Prior to the spring tides there several reports of stripers being caught on lee shores as well as good sea trout bite (we caught several). As tides became larger the bite subsided. Interestingly there were a few sheepshead caught on structure with slack current as well 10 to 13 inch whiting in the rivers as well lots of small sea trout caught by those trolling curtail plastics and fishing live bait. Despite some sea trout being caught the bite has not been hot. Likely as tides subside there will be a good bite and perhaps well in the New Year!
There have already been several reports of inshore and offshore sheepshead! Usually fishermen think of sheepshead during the winter and early spring. Fishermen targeting this fish on inside have had some nice catches as well those fishing nearshore wrecks! One common theme by both inshore and offshore fishermen is that juvenile sea bass are everywhere. Many of these fish at time would have been legal fish. As regulations have tightened on sea bass this fish could quickly become a nuisance for sheepshead fishermen.
The redfish fish prior to last weeks spring tides was good! Redfish were schooling in the rivers. Almost any structure had the potential of holding dozens of reds as well a few big sea trout. As quickly as the bite turns on it can turn off. Strong currents, dolphins, fishing pressure and just the natural movement of fish can mean excellent fishing one day and poor or no bites the next. Schools that are under pressure will either will be fished down, move or break up. Fish the conditions. This could means fishing areas that arent your usual two or three drops. You likely find new drops that youve been motoring by for years. Fish move. Youll find areas that can be world class one year, a dud the next. In short fish have tails and will be move. No matter what you learn or figure out there will always more to learn. Nature is in constant change. For example, a excellent redfish drop becomes silted in. Part of the fun fishing is finding new areas and way and how fish bite. This can take time. Perhaps a lifetime or lest a few hours on your next charter!
Hope this of interest and help! If interested you like you can book with me Capt. Jack McGowan This time of the year we are pitching soft plastics, baits and flies for redfish, stripers, as well structure fishing for sheepshead and bottom fishing for whiting.
Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan
Artificial Reefs
Sheepshead, black sea bass, trophy red fish, flounder, blue fish, triggerfish, and who knows what else might bite your hook!!
A family traditional in the making!
By Captain Judy Helmey of Miss Judy Charters
Tuesday November 22, 2011
6 hours artificial reef trip with
Fishing with Captain Judy Helmey and Captain Deidra Jeffcoat on board Miss Judy Too!
Attachment 209283
Please meet Perry, Jenn, Carl, and Sharon
Sharon (green tank top) and Perry Chambers (light blue t-shirt), Sharons daughter Jenn Marconi, (black t-shirt) (all from Pembroke, Georgia) and Perrys son Carl Chambers (striped shirt) visiting from Indianapolis, Indiana.
On November 14, 2011 Sharon called and got information for a possible offshore fishing trip. Arrangements were made and expectations were high! The first thing that you must remember when booking a fishing trip in this area is the fact is, if you luck up and get a good weather day the Fish Gods just might smile down on you. Well, on Tuesday morning the weather was beautiful with the sun shinning bright and the seas were absolutely calm as they could be. With this situation at hand all we needed was for the fish to show up! Believe me the fish showed up! Not just one type, but all kinds of fish offering up some unbelievable sights!
As I rounded the sea buoy Perry saw what he thought was a right whale on the surface. Since the sighting was right in front of my boat I quickly slowed down taking a direction away from the right whale swirl. With all eyes on deck looking for the next showing the whale never showed itself again. As soon as I made sure that the coast was clear I throttled up taking a heading to the KC artificial buoy area. My plan was to anchor up on a wreck and just swing with the ever changing current pattern. I am always getting asked, Why dont we move to another spot? My standard answer is The boat is really never over the same spot for any length of time due to the ever changing currents and wind.
Once we got my customized reef anchor hung on the wreck Captain Deidra (my first mate) and I (Captain Judy) started to get everything ready to fish. We already had the rods, reels, and tackle on the back deck. So therefore all we really had to do was bait up and offer a few suggestions on how a Sheepshead takes your bait. I like throwing in sayings like When it comes to the old Sheepshead you have to set the hook before the fish takes a bite! I always get some pretty strange looks when this comes out of my mouth. Another saying is The Sheepshead is so fast that it can suck in the insides out of your crab leaving an empty shell on your hook! So therefore I am always telling customers to really take a good look at your bait, because believe it or not, but it just might be an empty shell that you are trying to fish with. I am always getting asked, Which fiddler do you think works the best when targeting Sheepshead the purple or the black back? My standard answer is The purple backs, because they are sweeter than the black fiddlers. How do I know this? I took one of the fiddlers in each hand, crushed them, and tasted the juice. (I call this a captains red neck tasting test!) And now you know the rest of the bait testing story!!!
On this particular day I knew that I was anchored over quite a few nice Sheepsheads. However, I also knew that there were lots of black fish hanging in the water column. This is why I use fiddlers as my only bait used. Black sea bass will hit anything and they did. However, it seems the black sea bass will only eat the fiddler when it presented right in front of them. So the group moved around the deck looking to drop over the side in that prefect spot. I must say the black fish were plentiful, because they ate our fiddlers and others followed the hooked fish right up to the surface.
Heres is a few black fish that followed a hooked bait fish to the surface. None of these black fish are hooked up. I was using a live blue fish for bait. The black fish laying on the surface has the entire head of the blue fish in its mouth. I shook the line and finally the sea bass left go. Then it started making way back to the bottom taking its schooling friends with it. I took dozens of pictures just like this one. However, there was one picture that I missed. A black fish swam to the surface and jumped out of the water right by the boat. Now thats something you dont see very often!!!
Everyone caught dozens of black sea bass.
Attachment 209285
Perry Chambers and Captain Deidra Jeffcoat holding up a nice black sea bass
Captain Deidra Jeffcoat holding up a nice black fish that Sharon Chambers caught.
Sharons daughter Jenn Marconi liked the black sea bass so much that she kissed one!! Jenn is in management at the Krogers at Richmond Hill.
Please meet Carl Chambers holding a nice black sea bass. Carl is Perry son and is an accomplished executed chief in Indianapolis, Indiana. If the group caught any fish that they could keep, Carl was going to cook them his way!! As it turned out they did catch quite a few nice Sheepsheads. Chef Carl worked his cooking magic and prepared a meal fit for a king!! I am sorry to say I wasnt there to taste it first hand. However, I did received raving reports from the family on the fresh fish dinner that Chef Carl served.
This family fish day not only turned out to be a catching day, but also a seeing day too!
The first jelly with the colored skirt is called a cannonball jelly! There are a few interesting facts about the cannonball jelly fish. They are most of the time accompanied by a spider crab, which is either riding outside in plain view or they are tucked up inside under the jellys skirt. The cannonball jelly fish will not sting you. However, the mucus collected when handling them has a numbing affect on your hands. Whatever you do dont wipe your face or other parts until you have washed your hand properly. The second jelly fish is called a Southern Moon Jelly. This is not considered a highly venomous jelly. However, they do still have the ability to sting you. So therefore touching or handling should not be an option.
To top off our already interesting fish catching day a 500 pound plus ocean sunfish was just-a-swimming-around-the-boat! These are the most amazing fish. Ocean sunfish also known as Mola Mola dont have a tail. The tail end of the fish looks like its tail was cut off with a pair of pinking shears. To top off no tail at all they can still can jump out of the water and do some of the best belly flops that I have ever seen. This fish has an upper dorsal fin that is sometimes mistaken for a sharks fin. However, after a few second of watching you will be able to one tell why we call it a lazy fin. It just moves with the motion of the ocean.
For more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_sunfish#Description
Perry Chambers holding his just fought, caught, landed, tagged, and release 411/2 inch trophy red fish, which he caught while plain old bottom fishing at the old artificial reef.
As if all the seeing and catching wasnt enough it was time to do some tagging. The big rod start bending, Perry picked it up, and the fish fight began. After a few minutes of give and take Perry brought this large 411/2 inch red fish to the boat, it was netted, tagged, revived, and released back to the wild. While putting the line out a large brown shark also known as a sandbar shark came to the live bait, looked at it, and then swam off into the abyss.
Attachment 209292
Captain Deidra Jeffcoat holding up Chef Carls nice Sheepshead. Catching this fish put Chef Carl in the thinking about how he was going to prepare this fish mode!
Attachment 209293
Perry holding up another tasty piece of the dinner puzzle.
It might have not have been the biggest Sheepshead, but it certainly did put a beautiful smile on Jenn!!! Proving once again that fishing is good for the soul!!
While fishing for Sheepshead and catching sea bass we also had something unusual bite our hook. Two clear nose skates decided that they wanted to partake of out purple back fiddler crab. Once doing so both became hooked up. The clear nose rays dont have the dangerous spike on their tail. However, I still dont suggest handling them. After this picture taking every both fish were released back to the wild. Its so true what they say about just plain old fishing in the ocean. You just never know what interesting things that you might catch!!! In this case two interesting things!!!
It truly was an amazing day!!
The bottom line to this fish day was the fact that even I was amazed at all that happened. And I am talking about from the time we got to the ocean until we pulled in or watched our last fish swim by the boat. I just love my job and the people that I get to meet while doing it!!
Big thanks go out too
Sharon and Perry Chambers, Sharons daughter Jenn Marconi, (all from Pembroke, Georgia) and Perrys son Carl Chambers visiting from Indianapolis, Indiana. We hope to see you again soon! Thanks Captain Judy
Savannah Snapper Banks
I did not fish nor did I get any reports of anyone that did fish this area last week. For those fishermen that want to target and catch grouper I suggest that you make your plan now!! The 2011 Grouper season will close on January 1, 2012 and will re open on April 1, 2012
Freshies Suggestions
Just in time for the holidays!!!
Bill Vanderford holding a nice striped bass
As we approach another wonderful year, we at Bill Vanderford’s Guide Service, Inc. look forward to renewing old friendships and trying new ways to catch fish. Thanks to you and our many other friends, we begin our 41st year in the guide business at Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River.
Fishing in the lake this past year was excellent in the 21 foot Triton bass boat. Spotted and Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Stripers have been feeding like crazy, and the Walleyes will be running the upper Hooch during February and March. Along with the Spawning Stripers, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and the rare Shoal Bass (Chattahoochee Grand Slam) will be active in the upper Chattahoochee River from March through the rest of the year. Also, the Trout fishing below the lake is always good during winter, but will get even better in the Spring and Summer. All this shallow water fishing is possible with the Special Jet Boat so check your calendars and call soon. New for 2012, we will be taking people on special trips to catch lots of catfish! This is great for kids and families!
As in the past, we offer Gift Certificates for any of our services,we have copies of the books, SECRETS TO FISHING LAKE LANIER or THE NEW GUIDE TO BANK FISHING ON LAKE LANIER. We have both the famous Origninal Swirleybird spinner gift pack, the Saltwater/Striper Series gift pack, and others at: www.georgiafishing.com
Come see us and learn something new in my seminars at the GREAT SOUTHERN FISHING SHOW at the North Atlanta Trade Center (770 279-9899) on January 21-22, 2012. Also, please allow us to again share with you the wonder and beauty of Lake Lanier, and the Chattahoochee during the coming year!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Bill Vanderford
Inductee of the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
Mobile Phone: (770) 289-1543
E Mail: jfish51@aol.com
Web Site: www.fishinglanier.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTZivF8KTlk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpCdJAeURYM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E6u4gmNE4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoflHDqrK8M http://www.youtube.com/user/fishyrac…/6/kcQDL4-Btjs
Gulf Stream Report!
I am sorry to say, I cant report anything! However, if you get a calm day believe me it will be well worth the ride!
Little Miss Judys Believe it Or Not!
Fishing on the hill not over the hill!
My first memory of fishing was with my father, which was sometimes during the mid fifties. We would fish inshore for trout, bass, tripletail, and flounder. My father then decided that he needed more room in which to throw his fishhook. So, we started fishing the offshore waters of the ocean. This was an entirely different frontier. According to my father is was an area that could never be over fished, because not everyone was brave enough to try it. We were fishing approximately 10 miles offshore. This live bottom area was known as the Old Black Fish Banks! Yet still Daddy was always looking to the east at the horizon. I knew sooner or later we would have to go. In the mid to late sixties Daddy and I started spreading our wings to the other side of the 10 nautical mile imaginary line. There wasnt much out there, but a sandy bottom. This wasnt what daddy was looking for so we headed home. I knew the next time would find us way the heck out there. So therefore in the early seventies it was a done deal we arrived at what would soon become known as the Savannah Snapper Banks. This area was located about 30 miles off the coast. It was a healthy live bottom area full of all types of big bottom fish. All you had to do was bait your hook, drop it to towards the bottom, and most of the time you had a fish on before the sinker landed. Once again Daddy said, This area cant ever be over fished. As if all of this wasnt enough we still pushed further out into the ocean. When we reached the 30 fathom curve I though for sure that the ocean was going to swallow us up. It was deep and prettiest color blue that I ever could have imagined. Once again the fish bite raged on with bottom fish so thick that I actually had trouble getting my line back to the boat. The top water fish were so big that we quite often didnt have equipment heavy enough to handle them. So therefore all we could do was to talk about them once we arrived back home. That was just fine with me. Fish that are that big could have probably hurt someone. We were now fishing over 65 miles from our coastline.
Basically we havent stopped pushing to the other side of the next ledge. I guess its a sportsmans nature to want to explore. Heck, what could it hurt?
Let me tell you about this fishing book that I brought the other day. Its pretty interesting. The publish date was in the year of 1902. Its a book that gives you instruction of when, where, how to catch all types of fish. I looked in the saltwater section. However, there wasnt much to read, but I did find this out about the fishing year of 1902. To catch a saltwater fish such as a grouper you must fish off a BANK, which has a rocky bottom area. Now thats not a suggestion that you get from any current fishing report!
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
——-
