“Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956”

POB 30771

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410

912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX

www.missjudycharters.com

Captain Judy’s email fishjudy2@aol.com

November 28, 2011

Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports, Freshies Suggestions, and “Little Miss Judy’s 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 Surf fishing from the beach can be lots of fun

According to my father most were “naked as a J bird!”

Inshore light tackle with Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters

Inshore fishing in great

Stripers and Wipers! Alex Hagen is holding up a nice striped bass

The whiting bite in the sound

Artificial Reefs Welcome to Sheepshead Ville

Smoker King Mackerel! Oldie, but a goody! King mackerel Report

It’s snag a gag month!! The gag grouper and The Savannah Snapper Banks

Genuine red snapper Steve Howell Scores!!

Blue Water Report Baby sail fish “Truly an amazing sight!”

Freshies Suggestions Just in time for the holidays! Bill Vanderford

“Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!” Anchors, low tide, Pirates, and Treasure!

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“JUST DO IT!”

If you want to keep catching these ..join the Recreational Fishing Alliance NOW!!

Nice gag grouper and the 14/0 circle hook that snagged it!! The best way to determine the right size hook when targeting a specific fish is to make sure that there is enough clearance between the hook’s shank and the point on the hook. In this case the hook used was a prefect fit. The reason being is it slipped right over the large lips of the grouper and then did its job of penetrating through the back side of the fish’s mouth. I call this an “in-line” hook up, because the weight or swimming thrust of the fish will not pull the hook free. Now, if the hook was sideway in the face or body area nine times out of ten the fish would pull the hook free.

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….Here’s 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 nation’s 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: Tubby’s 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 Judy’s email fishjudy2@aol.com

Capt Judy’s 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

Surf Fishing Report

Surf fishing from the beach can be lots of fun and it also can get you hooked up with some real interesting fish!

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Wassaw Beach is a great place to visit to take a walk, bird watching, swimming, fishing, or just a great place to do a little relaxing. The up side is it’s a beautiful barrier island to visit for a day. The down side “To visit this area you need a boat meaning no bridges built to here!”

According to my father most were “naked as a J bird!”

My father always told our customers as he passed this beach that this was only place where you could legally “go naked as a J bird!” According to him sunning in the nude on this beach was a favorite pass time. To this day I have never seen or heard of anyone going naked on this beach. However, every time I pass by the beach I always tell the customers the exact same thing. It seems that no one ever asks any questions. However, they do take a “serious look and see!”

Fishing at the beachfronts!

During this time with water temperatures dropping fish such as Sheepshead, black drum, whiting, and trophy red fish have migrated into the sounds. Most of these fish with the exception of the whiting will make way offshore to school up at the near shore artificial reefs and any isolated wrecks. During this time plain old bottom fishing with small pieces of shrimp it’s possible to catch whiting while bottom off the beachfronts. I suggest fishing on the bottom with small hooks and small pieces of shrimp for the whiting. I also suggest putting a second rod out while fishing on the bottom with a whole finger mullet or menhaden. Please send any pictures!

Inshore light tackle with Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters

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Captain Alan Collins of Miss Judy Charters is holding up a nice pair. In his right hand is a red fish and in his left is a nice black drum. Both fish were caught in the same area while using live shrimp under small adjustable floats.

Inshore fishing in great

Inshore fishing has been really good with out customers getting to catch a little of everything. The red fish, trout, and flounder bite has been pretty good. To add to this already active bite you can also throw in a Sheepshead and black drum bite or should I say catch! The best and most preferred bait by any of these fish is live shrimp!

Stripers and Wipers!

The striped and hybrid bass bite continues to amazes us fishermen one day and not so much the next. I have been receiving reports of these fish being caught in the Ogeechee River and Savannah River areas. Some inshore fishermen are catching them on live shrimp under traditional adjustable corks while others are using 1 to 2 ounce jig heads. This is one fish that loves to hang out around the structure. The reason being they always have “ambush feeding on the mind!” With that being said, “Pick some structure located in these areas and present your preferred bait.”

Please check all regulations for the areas that you plan to fish!!!
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Alex Hagen is holding up a nice striped bass, which he caught while float fishing in the Savannah River area. Alex and his father Keith come to fish with us every year, which is a very good thing. This father and son duo loves saltwater inshore light tackle and offshore bottom fishing as well as trolling trips. This avid duo fish’s freshwater, too. All I can say now is “All Fish Beware!” Captain Matt Williams (standing in the background) of Miss Judy Charters was their guide for this day. And hopefully next year it will be my turn to take them offshore!

The whiting bite in the sound

Attachment 208900

Kissing a whiting can fun!!

The whiting bite has been very good and it will only get better as the water cools down. These fish have moved to the sound and can easily be caught when bottom fishing in 15 to 18 feet of water. The best baits are going to be small pieces of peeled shrimp and small pieces of fillet whiting. To keep a solid whiting bite it’s best to switch up baits every so often!!!

Artificial Reefs

Welcome to Sheepshead Ville

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Sheepshead, black drum, flounder, and trophy reds

This is a great time to give these fish try. The best news is that I can tell you are that these fish are schooling around the structure/wrecks. The lower relief such as concrete, tires, and rubble types will hold the interest of the Sheepshead. However, with water temperature above sixties degrees other bites can happen. At this time we have lots of black sea bass that have invaded these areas.

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Smoker King Mackerel!

Oldie, but a goody!

This picture was taken during the eighties. Captain Ali Young of Miss Judy Charters is holding what was then and is still now called a “smoker king!” Back in the old days when we hooked up a big king certain things happened that made you know what you had on the end of your line. The first thing that would happen is the line would be pulled off so quickly that water or should I say “steam-a-rose” from the reel. Large kings are known for killing their intended meal by hitting it hard and eating it fast while on the run. Another thing that a big king can do is basically cut right through a 20 to 30 pound test leader. The teeth on a “smoker king” are very strong meaning “just like a set of wire cutters!”

King mackerel Report

Although I have not seen any current pictures and I have not personally caught any king mackerel according to the talk on the docks “there have been a few caught to the south.” To the south in my case means J Buoy, R2 Naval tower area, and Gray Reefs. You might just want to give this fishing a try!

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It’s snag a gag month!!

The gag grouper and The Savannah Snapper Banks

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For those that want to do a little grouper fishing now is the time to give this a try. The Savannah Snapper Banks are holding these fish. The secret to getting a grouper’s attention is to use large live baits on long leaders rigged with a 14/0 circle hook. How do you know when you get a solid grouper bite? The grouper inhales the bait while taking a strong heading back to the safety of the ledge. If you can turn this fish in the first 8 seconds the catching deal is done!!

Steve Howell Scores!!

Genuine red snapper

While fishing the Savannah Snapper banks this pass week Steve Howell caught and released some really nice genuine red snapper. While using a large live sand perch this fish inhaled it and put up one heck of a fight all the way to the boat. Steve landed the fish, we vented it, and then we released it. Please remember genuine red snapper is closed off our coast! However, catching and releasing is still a lot of fun…

Blue Water Report

If you get the chance to go I suggest doing it!!! It’s a great time of the year to fish the blue water especially off Georgia’s coast.

Attachment 208905

Photo by X TA SEA Fishing Team

Baby sail fish “Truly an amazing sight!”

During this time especially if you get a calm day a blue water run would be in your best catching interest. The reason being is the bite can be as good at this time of the year as it is in the spring. I call the blue water bite during this time a “reversed situation!” The reason being is fish are doing the same thing that they do in the spring as they do in the winter “migrating while making way and feeding while they do it!”

Freshies Suggestions

Just in time for the holidays!!!

Attachment 208906

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

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“Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!”

Anchors, low tide, Pirates, and Treasure!

This is my good friend and considered part of the family Phil Shirley! Standing next to him is Captain Ali Young of Miss Judy Charters. Phil has a nice fish on and Captain Ali is just about to go into the “gaff the fish mode!” This picture was taken many years ago and I am sorry to say, “I don’t know the type of fish that Phil had on, but I do know this, “It was a big one for sure!”

Anchors, low tide, Pirates, and Treasure!

You are going to love this story. Back in the seventies Captain Ali’s Young cousin David fished a lot! He doesn’t remember the exact year, unfortunately and you will understand later why I feel that way. During his fishing expedition in seventies David and his fishing buddy always fished the Savannah River Jetties area. It was considered a two-part fishing trip, because it wasn’t entirely all about fishing! When they weren’t fishing they went “Treasure Hunting!” Most of this treasure hunting was done best on an almost low to a little turn of the tide. In other words “it was a low tide stage looking event!”

Their main fishing and treasure hunting focus took place around the Savannah River Jetty area. During this time this area had lots to offer the fisherman. You could catch a little of everything from red fish to shark. There was another catch involved. You had to understand that this area is where the big ships came in and headed offshore. Fishermen in small boats often learned the hard way about the large amounts of water that a moving ship displaces on a single pass to this area. The good news is that there wasn’t much traffic during these times. So therefore during the seventies treasure seekers had plenty of time to fish as well as look.

There was this one time in particular that David remembered. According to the story the tide had gone out so far that they got to see the bottom of the jetties. Now to you the reader that might not seem like a big deal, but to a fisherman it was. The jetties that line the mouth of the Savannah River were made of tons and tons of large rock. Barge after barge off loaded these rocks until a solid rock line was formed on both sides of the mouth of the river reaching about a mile out into the ocean. It’s deep between the jetties, because it continuously dredged to keep the proper depth needed by the large ships.

David and fishing buddies always once the tide got low looked for treasures on and around the rocks. The found all sort of discard debris and lots of anchors. On the day of the lowest tide stage ever they found 20 anchors, which surpassed many fishing/treasure hunting days by far. According to the story you could actually walk under the jetties. To get the opportunity to see the bottom that is mostly always covered with water is the desire of most fishermen. I can’t tell you how many times I have wondered exactly what the bottom area of the ocean would look like “high and dry!”

As if this story couldn’t get any more interesting it does. David readily brought this subject up, which sent me immediately to “wonder land!” It was the subject of pirates and their buried treasure.

Pirates must have known from many past experiences the lowest of the low tide stages. The reason being is that this is when they would hide their treasure. Heck, it’s a known fact that most treasure wasn’t never found, because those pirates hiding it never made it back to the designated area. They hid it in places where they could use something as a marking point such as a tree or bank line. Although the jetties were built way after the pirate era, what happened when the lowest of low tide took place proved that there could still be a chance for finding buried treasure from way-out yesteryear!

Barrier Islands especially in this area were probably great places for pirates to hide their treasure. Just think about all the areas that haven’t been disturbed. Our barriers islands are still un-inhabited. Although this story has been jumping around a bit the bottom line is a simple one. When the tide is at it lowest ever at least for this particular time, things could get uncovered. For you treasure seekers, get out the tide logbooks or get on your computers so as to figure out these low tide pheromones. These are the best time to find the treasures that were buried by those pirates that visited our area!

Here’s a pirate short: Back in the old pirate days it was believed that piercing the ears and wearing an earring improved vision. The idea was passed down for year after year. After taking the acupuncture theory into consideration, which does suggests there is a point on the ear lobe that controls the eyes, maybe the pirates were a little smarter than we gave them credit for. Now we know why earrings were so popular during the pirate era! This boils down to the fact that most pirates probably needed eye glasses. Or they thought they should see further or maybe they drank all of the time, which gave than blurred vision. My ears are pierced and I still have to wear glasses! Whatever the case may be “a pirate’s life was not for me!” I have rambled enough! If you have made it this far, thanks for reading it!

Here’s my line now bite my hook!

Captain Judy

Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921