“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

March 7, 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

Inshore schools on the water

Captain Judy’s Fisheries Comments All fishermen should read this…IMPORTANT

Striped bass fishing

The Great Red Fish Thaw!

Have a date with bait!

Why are fish so finicky at this time of the year? By Captain Alan Collins

Offshore fishing report Artificial Reefs

The 2011 Hilton Head Harbor Wahoo ShootOut! http://islandshootout.com/

Gulf Stream Report February 27, 2011 Sunday NOFA Arran Bibby and Crew “Did it again!” It’s black fin tuna time!

Bibby’s Blue Water Take!

Freshies report

Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or not! Pick Up and Delivery Fishermen or not!

MISS JUDY CHARTERS 2011 CLASS SCHEDULE

Please note some changes have been made..

Attachment 188921

CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY

“Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956”

Inshore classes in a boat on the water

Inshore classes 2011

March 12, 2011 in the classroom has been changed to an on the water class $ 125.00

Due to requests we have changed Saturday March 12, 2011 inshore class from a class room school to an on the water class. We still have spots left.

If you have signed up and have not been contacted, please give me a call 912 897 4921 or email fishjudy2@aol.com

March 13, 2011 Sunday inshore class on the water class is full…

On the water classes are departing from

Miss Judy Charters

124 Palmetto Drive

Savannah Georgia 31410

912 897 4921

Or visit

http://www.missjudycharters.com/directions.shtml

Captain Judy’s Fisheries Comments

Any fishermen wanting to be on the Georgia Fisheries Alliance email list, please email gfanews@gmail.com

All fishermen should read this… IMPORTANT IMPORTANT

We just wanted to touch base with everyone and let them know about some very important dates coming up. Below is a detailed list about the upcoming South Atlantic Management Fisheries Meeting. PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. If you are unable to attend there are detailed instructions on how to write a letter or email one. If you would like GFA to hand deliver your letter please email them to gfanews@gmail.com with the subject South Atlantic Management Fisheries Letter. We know that Thursday morning is just ridiculous to have a public meeting which is designed to record formal comments, so please if you are unable to make it then email or write a letter. Remember to look over the agenda and make sure your letter is directed toward it. Make sure you let them know how much of an inconvenience it is to hold such an important meeting when most of us have to be at work.

Please Read and pass on to anyone who you think can attend the meeting. Remember we are strong in numbers!

Please make plans to attend the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council’s Spring Meeting on March 7th – 11th at the Sea Palms Resort and Conference Center. The Meeting will run for one week, but, the most important times for public participation will be as follows:

1. Informal Question / Answer Session – Wednesday, March 9th – 5:30 p.m. – Led by NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator Dr. Roy Crabtree and Council Chairman David Cupka.

2. Public Comment Session – Thursday, March 10th – 10:45 a.m. – Interested persons will be provided the opportunity to present oral or written statements relative to the meeting agenda.

Please remember that the Session on Wednesday is only an informative Question & Answer Session and will not be formally recorded. Your verbal and written comments will only be taken on Thursday at the Public Comment Session.

The Committee Meetings each day will also be open to the public and the following webisite has a copy of the agenda for the Meeting.

http://www.safmc.net/Meetings/Counci…5/Default.aspx

As fishermen, this is our chance to show our presence to the Council. It is rare that we have an opportunity to confront decision makers in our own backyard and we need to make a showing. A large turnout demonstrates that these regulatory changes matter to us and our comments are IMPORTANT. Please prepare yourselves ahead of time for this meeting. Emotion, anger, and threats are not going to be as effective as well thought out, concise and direct comments that demonstrate our concerns.

Please take the time to read over the agenda and the times going into this meeting. Thanks for making our Fishery a priority and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

For those who cannot attend the formal comment session on Thursday, March 10th, comments can be submitted by the following methods:

1.) Written comments can be hand delivered by anyone attending the Meeting.

2.) Comments can be emailed to Kim.Iverson@safmc.net

Comments will be taken on any items that are on the agenda, so please review the agenda and direct your comments accordingly.

Tight Lines and thanks for your time

G.F.A.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgi…87653484588005

Now lets talk fish!

Striped bass fishing

Striped bass fishing continues to be like it normally is, which is on one day and off the next. The secret to finding and catching striped bass is to know the “wheres abouts of all the bait!” This means if you know what bait move where and when during this time especially in the Savannah River “YOU GOT FISH!”

Here are a few tips: If you happen to know where a deep hole is in the river, I suggest fishing in it. The reason being is shrimp are hibernating in these holes during this time and the striped bass know this! Another tip is to always follow any feeding birds while listening for the muffled shoot gun blasts. My father always said, “When the striped bass are feeding near the surface and become airborne when they land you can hear them for quite a distance.” He called it the muffled shotgun blast landing.

The Great Red Fish Thaw!

We are having a wonderful warming trend and water temperatures are staying warmer than cooler. During this time of the year I am always talking about “When it’s 65 everything is alive!” By the time that you read this fishing report the water temperature at least in our area most likely would be 65 degrees, which is the number that I am always looking forward too!

The best news is the poor red fish is getting a little relief from their predator the dolphin. The reason being is when the water warms other baits migrate into the area offering the dolphin more feeding sport. During the winter the red fish is high up on a dolphin’s main menu. Sure we fishermen give the red fish a scare or two. However, the dolphin is on the hunt for this fish 24-7! During cold times if you want to know where the red fish are holding in shallow water just watch to see where the dolphins are staging and waiting!

Have a date with bait!

I am always going to suggest this when you go fishing. Don’t forget your bait or your cast net. During this time especially if you rely on bait houses for baiting up you might get bait, because they could have sold out. The bottom line is there is bait holding up in the backs of creeks and if you have a net you can help yourself. Fishermen have been catching finger mullet and peanut menhaden. During this time of the year sliced like a loaf of bread mullet works great when trying to get a nervous red fish to take a bite. We call this bait red fish steak, which is high up on their list of things to eat. After all if your steak was already cut up, wouldn’t you eat more?

Attachment 188925

Captain Alan Corey Childers

Why are fish so finicky at this time of the year?

By Captain Alan Collins

It’s late February and I’m sitting at my computer writing this report instead of fishing. In the charter fishing business repeat business is “the key” to your success. So when the phone rings and someone wants to go fishing you have two choices, tell them the truth or tell them what time to be at the dock. The problem with the second choice is you take the chance of them coming back to the dock with the same thing you left with, which would be bait. That is, if you were able to find bait before your trip. And then you may have or should I say probably lost this customer for good. I think choice number one is best. Being honest with the customer by telling them that fishing this time of the year is a little like gambling, some times you hit it big, but most of the time you lose it all. And that’s why I like working at Miss Judy charters because, she’s up front with the clients and lets them make the call. Now if they still want to go we will take them and give it 110 percent, but if things don’t go right at least she would have let them know up front. It’s not always about making a dollar. It’s about making a client happy so they will fish with us again or recommend someone to fish with us.

Now that you know how crazy the fishing business can get especially during the cold water times. Now I would like to give you my twist on why it’s the way it is!

Why are fish so finicky at this time of the year?

One major factor is that we are right on the line between winter and spring. While taking a look at my past log books I noticed that during the 2009 fish year I was already catching big row trout and red fish at this time. You noticed I said 2009 and not 2010 log books. The reason being is that we had an unusually cold winter making fishing or should I say the catching a little off. So taking 2009 fishing year into consideration we should already be catching some really nice fish. Any little change, especially during this time can throw the fish bite out of whack. Cold fronts and wind, which normally doesn’t affect the fish bite, could put them into “lock jaw mode” during the cold times. Fishing is just what it’s called “fishing!” If you limited out every time they would call it “catching” corny I know, but true. The best news is we keep going, keep trying, and keep hoping the fishing gods will flip that switch from “OFF” to the “ON” mode making things go back to the catching part of this sport.

Here are some tips if you just have to go, which may help you catch a few more fish and turn a bad day into at least a fish catching day! I don’t like to talk so down but I have had a tough winter fishing where I was either doing well or catching nothing at all.

But back to the tips, I’ve been having most of my success fishing the low incoming tide stage. The reason being is when the tide is low the sun warms the mud flats or shells and as the water rises these areas warm the water. The bait fish move onto these spots and the fish follow. You won’t have much time to fish these spots so you need to plan your day out so that you hit these areas at the right time. Another tactic to go with is a jig head with the mud minnow hooked through the lips, throw it toward the shells, and work it back SLOWLY! You may get hung up a few times and if you don’t then you’re not fishing it right. At this time of the year mud minnows and finger mullet are about the only bait you can find. The best news is cold water fish will bite these baits and in some cases causing you to have a banner hook up day.

The first of March the bait houses should be open and live shrimp will be available. I really think we are just about to turn the corner and the bite should turn on. We have had a mild February so I think when they do turn on its going to be a good spring. However, please remember that the big row trout are here to lay there eggs so keep only what you can eat and release the others. Talking with a young man from Georgia Coastal Resources he told me that trout that are over 18 inches account for 75% to 80% of the eggs. These trout normally lay eggs 4 to 5 times per year. So if you get into a school we would all would be better off keeping the 13 to 16 inch one and releasing the larger trout. This is just food for thought and logic put on paper. I know it’s been a slow and long winter and every one is ready to go. Please don’t forget to clean and maybe spool those reels with some new line. Don’t forget to make sure the boat gets the maintenance it needs. For up date reports, please keep reading Captain Judy’s weekly fishing report, which is posted on http://www.missjudycharters.com/fishingrpt.shtml. Thanks for reading! Captain Alan Collins

Offshore fishing report

Artificial Reefs

The Sheepshead bite is very good with offshore fishermen easily catching their limit of fish. The best news is this type of bite should last until Mid April!

For those of you that wonder what other kinds of fish you might catch while fishing at the artificial reefs at this time here is a short list..Flounder, black drum, red fish, summer trout, trigger fish, scup, blue fish, cold water sharks, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks. Now you must know the next line is going to be “You really never know what you might catch after all it’s the ocean!”

As far as what you might see on the surface….right whales, great white sharks, thresher sharks, and blue fin tuna! Whatever you do don’t forget your camera!

The 2011 Hilton Head Harbor Wahoo ShootOut!

http://islandshootout.com/

World Famous “YELLOWFIN YACHTS” have just agreed to offer a $ 20,000 voucher towards the purchase of any new YELLOWFIN YACHTS boat. The winning captain will receive this $ 20,000 voucher at the awards party on April 16, 2011.

Gulf Stream Report

February 27, 2011 Sunday

NOFA

Arran Bibby and Crew “Did it again!”

It’s black fin tuna time!

Blue water fishermen braved the foggy conditions early Sunday and took to the stream. The bite wasn’t as good as it goanna get. However, with calm seas fishermen caught black fin tuna, dolphin and Wahoo, which means bill fish and those that follow are close behind. All this boils down to is it time to go fish!

Attachment 188924

Dr HOO HOO is sporting what can only be called a “black fin tuna smile!” Nice fish!

Attachment 188919

Arran Bibby holding a nice black fin and Mike Semenach sporting yet another tuna catching smile!

The Bibby Blue Water Take!

Arran Bibby is one of those type of fisherman has been fishing in a lot of different places. While doing all this fishing with some of the best he has been keeping mental notes of the best ways to catch fish. It seems that he remembers certain things that matters most in regards to catching fish and why. With all this being said, “Arran ways of catching fish in the blue water are making a hit with those down under as well as those holding the rod!” Arran’s old school techniques remind me of the days when all you needed to catch a fish was a spoon and an old time cedar plug. So therefore if you want to get your best shot at getting a more solid hit, catching a fish, and not pulling half ballyhoos baits that you didn’t even no got a hit, here are a few pointers from Bibby:

The cedar plug works best if it’s actually cedar and not painted. There reason being is when soaked in menhaden oil it absorbs this powerful fish scent better.

While working a ledge that is holding tuna it’s best to pull your cedar plugs in what we call “the way back mode.” In my case that’s about 400 feet. In Bibby’s case that would be around 600 feet behind the boat. His theory, which by the way is correct, goes like this. When the boat approaches the ledge the fish have a tendency to take a deep dive. The boat noise while approaching causes the fish to dive. As the boat passes the ledge the after noise brings them back to towards the surface, which is just about when the pulled way back cedar plugs are making a pass!

The silver 31/2 inch Drone Spoon works great. The standard silver color also known as the stainless steel gets lots of attention. Bibby pulls his Drone spoon 50 feet behind a #4 Salty dog “quick disconnect” planer. This set up is different from most. This type of line has always been called the “meat line,” in Bibby’s case it called the line that catches a whole lot of fish! According to Bibby if you put this line out first, it normally has a fish on it before you finish putting out your trolling spread. Arran, thanks for the great tips!

Attachment 188923

This is tail of a mako shark. From this shark’s tail design it’s easy to see where they get the maneuverability and speed from. While fishing the blue waters of the stream I have seen this fish make turns as if it was on “rails!” After looking I now know it’s about the “tail!”

Freshies Report

Attachment 188920

Photo by Bill Vanderford

Fishing at Sunrise on Lake Lanier

Those fishermen that want to “GO FISH LAKE LANIER”

Bill Vanderford is “Lake Lanier’s 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! http://www.youtube.com/fishyracer
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Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!

Attachment 188922

This picture proves that there are big sharks in the water! Yes, this shark was caught, fought, and released to feed again!

Pick Up and Delivery Fishermen or not!

1960’s Era

Many many years ago my father and I were asked if we want to take some equipment out to a ship, which was about 70 miles offshore. We of course were real interested in getting the extra business and the pay was very good. They were going to pay us as you would for a fishing trip along with some extra money for the fuel. I think the going price for a full day fishing trip during that time was about $ 300.00. All was well; we figured we could ride out deliver or pickup the package and then fish a bit for free. The stories of catching big fish in the deep water were getting better with every conversation that we had. Our contact hadn’t given us their name. However back in the old fishing party booking days we didn’t require much information. We just wanted to fish not get a person’s name. Our still un-named customer called and told us that there was indeed a package on a ship offshore waiting to be picked up. My father asked exactly what might be in the package. The un-named customer then started talking even faster. The offer price for picking up the now “un-named package” was soaring. Daddy’s main reason for asking was a simple one. In other words he wanted to know how big the package was, how heavy it was, did it need any sort of refrigeration, and was it legal! I thought these were all very good questions. This interest resulted in dead silence on the other end of the phone. In fact it was so quiet that it seemed as if no one was there, because they weren’t! Heck we went fishing any way, but that’s another story!

Here’s My Line Now Bite My Hook!

Captain Judy

Fish Physic!

Captain Judy Helmey
missjudycharters.com
912 897 4921