Savana Georia Fishing Report Updated July 18, 2010
CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
“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
July 18, 2010
Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports, Freshies Suggestions, and “Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not story! Thanks for Reading!
Table of content
Inshore fishing shorts the shark bite rules that is only “if you want lots of action!”
It’s tarpon and tripletail season! More next week!
Captain Jack McGowan’s simple but deadly artificial bait set up!
Artificial - why they work and why they don’t! Captain Jack McGowan tells all!
Where’s the Spanish mackerel?
How to catch a large Spanish mackerel
Savannah Snapper Banks
Blake Durham Sushi Report
Blue water reports and suggestions Sailfish and circle hook
Circle Hooks or not!
Trolling or bottom regular fishing
Best way to hook up a billfish while using a circle hook
Get you bills here! The impressive “380 hole” 3207.537 7856.688
Just in case you didn’t know…Primary green and blue water targets, from 31 N to 33 N
Congratulation Captain Frank Gibson!
Freshies section For those fishermen that want to “GO FISH LAKE LANIER”
Bill Vanderford is “Lake Lanier’s Legend!”
Freshies Report and recipe! In Montana My dear old friend, “Captain Uncle Bob Morrissery.”
Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not! NO RIDERS TODAY!”
Wassaw Sound is a good place to see and catch sharks!
The shark bite rules that is “if you want lots of action!!”
Inshore fishing shorts
If you are looking for a red fish, spotted sea trout, and flounder bite this also can happen. It’s all about going to your spot, working all areas from shallow to deep and trying different baits. Live shrimp is the number one bait for all fish meaning small and large. So therefore it’s that time of the year where small live fish lipped or behind the dorsal fin hooked up while free lining attracts a bigger fish bite. When it comes to shrimp as bait all fish from small to large get to pick at them or eat them whole. Small fish do it one piece at a time. The legs, the tail, and anything else that will fit in their mouth goes first. This is why we call small fish “fetish fish!” Once all the parts are removed the shrimp really is just bait and not appealing too much to those large fish that want to kill first and then eat!
It’s tarpon and tripletail season! More next week!
Captain Jack McGowan’s simple but deadly artificial bait set up
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This is Captain Jack McGowan special as well as very simple artificial rig. He always suggests tying on a snap swivel first so that you can change up bait quickly. When going artificial it’s best to either have other rod/reel set-ups with different baits or add snap swivel and change up when needed.
Artificial - why they work and why they don’t
Captain Jack McGowan tells all!
The first thing most fishermen want to do when they see a new shiny lure is buy it! I’m speaking from first hand experience. Buying lures isn’t bad thing. On the other hand it’s easy to accumulate boxes of stuff that were never or barely used. Then there is the dreaded job of changing treble hooks. This is an on going two-year process for me. By now you’re probably thinking I thought this article was suppose to make me more proficient in fishing the artificial stuff. First my intention is let you know what you are dealing with. Most fishermen are looking for that “ magic lure “ that will catch fish like nobody’s business.
The truth is there are lots of “magic lures” on the market. The greatest factor in the success of any lure is a fisherman’s confidence in that lure. To be confident you must know that it will catch fish and it will catch for you. When I see seasoned fishermen on my boat one of the frequent questions that is asked is “what lure or lures do you use the most?” Most of the time the lures are familiar brands. Occasionally I’ll hear a name I’m not familiar with. What I have observed is that fishermen do things pretty much the same way. One experienced fisherman last year was pitching a pink Storm shrimp. This was his magic lure and it worked. He landed several nice sea trout. I pitched the same lure right beside him with no luck. Knowing enough about fishing, I knew it could have been the luck of the day or perhaps there was something different in the action he was imparting to the lure. His technique was two dramatic twitches then a pause. I thought I had his technique duplicated but no success. What was going on? No doubt this was a very effective lure and the proper action was critical. I put artificial shrimp under a popping float and sure enough the sea trout were striking! With some artificial proper technique is critical. The best way to gain this is from first hand experience basically trial and error or join a friend who has know how or take a charter.
Artificial lures are meant to either mimic “the real deal bait” in nature or draw a reaction strike. Having an understanding of the fish you’re seeking will greatly aid in your lure selection. One day we were seeing and catching some nice reds on the flats pitching jerk worms. One of the fishermen against my urging wanted to pitch a jig that he uses back home. I think the thing weighed an ounce! This does not sound like much weight but on a flat with less than a couple inches of water it was like a military depth charge going off. He soon began to realize if want to catch some fish he needed a lure with much more of a subtle presentation.
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
The red headed lure is Mitte Mike’s Christmas tree lure, which is very similar to the yesteryear version. My father’s “Christmas Tree” lure caught lots of trout while pitching and retrieving. It also makes a great lure when trolled slowly. The silver lure is a Bill Lewis lure called Rat-L-Trap ¼ ounce. For best result retrieve this style lure fast. When in the fast retrieve mod the vibration and chatter produced can be heard in at least 20 feet of water. It looks and acts like a peanut menhaden. In my book if any lure covers two of the three’s needed to attract fish I think it’s a keeper. For those that don’t know a lure needs to look, act, and smell fishy in order to work. Like I said, “All you need is two out of three!”
Some lures require very little practice while casting and retrieving or dragging behind your boat. Typically these types of artificial lures are the favorites: curl tail grubs, paddle tails, double screw tail as well as wide variety of hard baits such as standard favorites like Mitte Mike’s Christmas tree lure. One of my favorite approaches is walk into a tackle store and ask what’s hot. The storeowner or employee has a vested interest in selling you something that’s producing. Not only can you buy the lure; you can ask some question about the lure as well how to work it. A couple pertinent question might be how many fish can I expect to catch on the lure, what is best way to attach the lure to my main line, do I need a leader. Once you see the standard technique there is plenty of room for tweaking such as cutting a notch in a paddle or expanding the gap of the main hook. By asking question you have a starting point. You know what is working for other fishermen.
Some fishermen really like lures that are virtually non-destructible. With lots of small redfish and bluefish in local waters a plastic that holds up to a lot of banging in the summer months is a plus! Favorite colors and patterns are those that resemble shrimp. Many of the best fishermen will think, “go weed-less!” This could mean down sizing your baits or fishing suspended baits. Suspended bait could be as simple as a plastic under a float or literally suspended or top water bait that could fish around or over live oyster shells. Keep in mind when fishing around structures you are going to get hung up. It’s really all about how you recover and how much time is spent re rigging.
One tip that I have all but gotten away from but in recent days I am revisiting is the use of a snap swivel or snap to attach your lure. Granted sometimes a snap can interfere with a lure’s action. On the other hand this little attachment can greatly speed the process of changing lures. I remember reading in a book one fishing author said coming from the main line the next piece of terminal tackle needed would be a snap swivel. This is something I resisted for many years. I am not completely sold on the use of snaps. Nonetheless they can greatly aid in changing out tackle and there is definitely a place for snap swivels in your tackle box.
In summary, the most important ingredient in lure selection is confidence. In recent days I had two seasoned fishermen replete with their own tackle bag on my boat. I think they took great pride in catching fish on non-gulp baits. I think they wanted to show me non-gulp baits were just as effective. You might have guessed they did fine!
Technique can be everything with some lures! The best way to gain these confidents is to be shown and spend time on the water going through different techniques meaning yours or someone’s suggestion.
Understand the fish that you after. If you targeting sea trout likely the name of the game will be current, specifically finding suitable currents and clean water.
Select appropriate artificial. A one-ounce jig in two feet of water is not appropriate. Specific about the lure is important: color, shape, size, top water, suspended or a lure that is fished near the bottom is all are important.
Ask at your favorite tackle shop. Don’t hesitant to ask preferably the owner what’s hot! Ask appropriate questions and listen. Favorites can come and go. For example a few years the electric chicken had almost a cult following. Today I sure some fish are being caught on this lure. Did the lure loose its effectiveness? Did the fish become less aware of this bait? I am not sure. What I am sure is that things will keep changing and improving. Once you think this is it another lure maker will come out with another incredible product. While you’re looking at all the new stuff there are golden oldies are just plain effective. A rule of thumb if the lure looks good just fish it, it will probably catch fish!
Hope this of interest and help! For more information on how to use artificial free feel to book a trip or email your question in .
Thank you! Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan
Where’s the Spanish mackerel
You might not see them but they are there. I suggest looking for any birds activity. Not necessarily feeding either. If you see birds hovering or sitting on the water look the area over. You could be passing up fish…Beachfronts, artificial reefs, and anywhere where there is surface bait!
How to catch a large Spanish mackerel
Stanley DeVegter fish’s a lot and quite often shares some of his well-guarded secrets. When it comes to catching the larger Spanish mackerel you need to think “bigger baits!” Stanley pulls this lure “way back” behind his boat when doing the “trolling for mackerel thing!”
“The clown lure “as it’s known” is no joking matter!
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This is a YO-ZURI Crystal Minnow “DD” floating “deep Diver” 4 3/8 inch 9/16 ounce lure. When in the retrieving mode depending on the speed delivered this lure it will dive from 6 to 13 feet. The old adage of “the faster you retrieve the more it dives” still holds true in this case. It also offers up a tight wobbling action. Stanley adds a piece of 6 to 8 of 30 to 50 pound test single strand wire to the front of the lure. The wire addition just might keep you from loosing too many lures.
Spanish mackerel are known for racing through and making “mince meat” of there next intended next meal. What stays in their mouth is swallowed and the birds hovering above eat the leftover spoils that fall to the wayside. Since glass minnows are among this fish’s favorite meal any lure that imitates them is consumed quick fashion. Especially when a feeding frenzy is taking place. I know what you must be thinking….the plug suggested is no way near the size of a glass minnows. The fact of the matter is if alive this lure most likely would eat glass minnows, which brings me to my thoughts in regards to this set up…
You know the old saying, “Where you have fish you have fish?” Well, in this case where you have small bait fish you not only have Spanish mackerel a feeding but also other smaller fish. Spanish mackerel will kill and eat the size fish that best fits their mouth size. This is “basic instincts” at it finest. Mixed in with all the thousand of glass minnows are other fish that are in there feeding too. Bringing to light once again “where you have fish you have fish.” And let me go one step further. When they are feeding on specific bait there are other fish feeding on the leftovers as well. The smaller fish feels pretty safe, because the Old regular size Spanish is known for gouging themselves on glass minnows. They get the leftovers, which means “a free lunch!” However, since it’s definitely a fish eat fish world where there always seem to be a bigger fish in the sea you can count on a much larger Spanish to be somewhere feeding in the school. The suggested lure also called “the clown” is the way to go, because it’s stands out. Big fish are watchers and don’t just jump at any sort of a partial meal they want a “one kill sort of a deal!” You might not catch a larger Spanish every time, but if they are there this lure will bring them “a biting mad!”
Savannah Snapper Banks
Photo by Captain Kathy Brown
This big boy was caught while bottom fishing at the Savannah Snapper Banks. The angler name was Donald Skinner. As always there is a story to be told and I will do it with the next picture.
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This is an amberjack that narrowly escaped the jaws and but still got caught. While we were catching amberjack the shark in the first picture had a field day of rubbing, tasting, and trying to eat the amberjack. This fish is not having a good day!
July 13, 2010
Blake Durham Sushi Report
Photo by Blake Durham
Believe it or not, but Blake Durham can catch fish and make sushi too! This fish was just swimming the waters in Key West just yesterday! Blake gets an “A” for presentation!
Blue water reports and suggestions
Sail fish and circle hook
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
Sail fish hooked up, drag set right, and fisherman in full control!
Circle Hooks or not!
Go here to find out how to rig your baits and what hooks you need to use…
http://circlehookjig.com/
These rigs have been weighted, measured, and the findings have been “hook ed up good and solid!”
Or call Tim Barefoot direct, Barefoot Fishing 2508 Colton Place Raleigh NC, 27609
circle hook rig hotline number 910-617-7637
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This is not a billfish circle hook rig. This is the circle hook bottom rig that I use the most to catch big bottom fish. I just wanted you to see the way I hook by bait up when using a circle hook. The secret to a circle hook is the fact that you don’t have to set it’s a self-hooking style hook. To successfully use a circle hook you need to understand how it works. The first thing when it come to big bottom fishing or should I say “catching” is the hook had to end up in something solid. The best circle hook placement is it goes through the corner of the fish’s mouth and immediately punctures thru the soft tissue connecting the jawbone. (Kind of like where you place your circle hook in your bait, but more to the corner.) You don’t want any hook set to be on the face or the fins. The reason being is that a sideways hook up is going to pull off from the fish as soon as it starts fighting. So therefore your big fish will be gone. I call this an “inline hookup,” when the big fish is hooked up in the lip. The fish can still pull as hard, but your chances for catching it are very good.
Let talk a bit of how to get that big fish hooked up..
The first thing that you need to remember is the fact these hooks work best when the fish has changed into the swimming away mode. The first thing fish does when it’s sure that it has secured its meal is to turn away. It’s not like restaurant dining where they sit and eat. They attack and them move on. However, there is a waiting period in which you have to learn in order to get hooked up circle hook style. Here’s your list of steps…at least from my point of view
Trolling or bottom regular fishing
1st Step
When the first takes the bait you have to wait until it turns and starts heading away before doing any thing. All fish have different moves, but if you wait first before moving your rod chances are better for more solid hook up.
2nd Step
After the fish starts to swim away slowly increase drag pressure until the line comes tight, then lift your rod tip slowly. Some fishermen suggest at this point giving your rod a short quick jerk. However, this fisherman suggests letting the hook do the job of going where it needs to be. Most of the time rather than not the hook is already set where it needs to be.
Best way to hook up a billfish while using a circle hook
The billfish does do things a little differently. The first thing that they do when the decision is made to attack it to use it’s bill to disable or should I say “knockout” its intended meal. This is where you as the fisherman, once batting practice has began is to immediately free spool basically dropping the stunned/knocked out bait to the billfish that’s going to eat it. It has been said, “A billfish when it eats will turn the bait around so as to send it head first down the throat. Sails don’t have teeth and can’t hold what they are going to eat. So therefore the bait is manipulated with the swaying of the bill and the tossing of the head along with a tail cadence motion. I call it the “three step Bill fish special!” I wish I had the prefect music to fit these moves. And then put it on “U Tube!”
I know this all sounds like a lot to think about in less than 5 seconds, which is all it takes to make these moves. That’s unless the billfish is playing what we call “cat and mouse games” with your bait. If this is the case, the fish doesn’t start screaming away quickly stay in the controlling free spool mode until the fish starts swimming away.
The meaning of being in controlling free spool mode…it’s where you let your bait fall back freely while not black lashing your reel. If you tangle up you will not be hooked up you will be broke off.
Lets assume the bill has killed, turn the bait around to its liking, and now is running away with it. This means heading in the opposite direction.
Once the fish really start running away, it’s time to point you rod and lock in to your pre drag set on your reel. I normally set my reel at 20 to 30 pounds of pressure. You know the old saying, “You can always add to the drag as you go!” Go as light as you can and then set your drag up so as to put more pressure on the fish as it wears down. In the charter world of catching the exact drag set for a billfish sometimes can be ascertained by the stance of the fisherman holding the rod. I quickly know if the fisherman is going to listen, but if they are not I want to be prepared for the worst, which is over pumping of the rod and not taking up the slack while doing so. This is where it’s the job of the captain to keep the line tight. Heck, if I fussed every time a customer made a wrong move I would be screaming all the time. All we do is adjust to the situation handed in regards to the fish as well as the fisherman.
After you have locked the reel and the drag is pulling then slowly raise your rod tip, and then do what you need to do to land this now circle hooked up fish!
Now lets talk about the fight delivered when a circle hook hooks up a billfish…
If you believe in fish feeling pain with this style hook up not much is experienced. The billfish doesn’t seem to go into the throw the stomach up while trying to get rid of the hook mode. The fact of the matter is the fish jumps more while staying closer to the surface. This sort of fight doesn’t take everything from the fish and it easily revived once brought to the boat. The bottom line circles hooks don’t haggard the fish bringing to light better successful release opportunities! After all we all want to catch but if we kill them all fishing will prevail and catching will not!
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
Successfully reviving a sailfish. Best method is to hold the fish’s bill allowing the fish to lie near the surface while letting water flow through the gills. Please remember to keep the bill not pointed you way. You never know when a sailfish is going to completely wake up making a wild jump.
Get you bills here!
The impressive “380 hole”
3207.537 7856.688
July 12, 2010
Chad Kivett and blue crew made blue water run last week and here’s what they found out! According to the report they found a solid billfish bite just north and little inshore of the 380 hole. They had many hits and misses while using circle hooks. The bottom line is this “The bills are here!” Thanks for the report…we all really needed it!
Just in case you didn’t know…I have Primary green and blue water targets, from 31 N to 33 N
Go to http://sstcharts.com/ scroll down and see information on different charts offered…inshore to offshore blue water…
Once you get them you won’t have any more questions on where to fish, because the information furnished is consider insider information by the fish!
Indicated sheet with suggestions
Winyah Scarp
George Town Hole
South West Banks
Bubble Rock and Beaufort Valley
226 and points southeast
Edisto Banks and Royal Terrace
Sow Pen to Edisto Banks
Deli and Sow Pen
Triple Ledge and deep-water wreck
South Ledge
Congratulation Captain Frank Gibson!
Captain Frank Gibson “Marlin Catching Man!” Now named…
Captain Frank Gibson of Beaufort has been named as a representative to the International Game Fish Association International Committee (IGFA). Gibson owner and Captain of the Sport fishing boat My Time Out and Miss Fripp is founder of the Beaufort Sport fishing and Diving Club. Gibson is also a member of the South Carolina Dept of Natural Resources and Marine Advisory Council and a board member of the S.C. Governors Cup Bill fishing Tournament.
Freshies section
For 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! For more details go http://stores.ebay.com/Fishy-Racer http://www.youtube.com/fishyracer www.cafepress.com/grapefruitshop
Freshies Report and recipe!
In Montana
Photo by June Morrissery
My dear old friend, “Captain Uncle Bob Morrissery.” I have to say, “This is a nice mess of rainbow trout!” June and Bob are on the road traveling, fishing, catching, and eating fish! I will be keeping you posted on their next catch and the meal that follows!
For those of you that happen to be in this area or are making plans and happen to catch this fish here’s a recipe suggestion straight from Captain Uncle Bob…
How to clean and prepare for grilling according to the “Captain Uncle Bob method”
He suggests filleting the fish leaving the scales on. On the meat side generously cover with “Adobo seasoning” and lemon juice. The let it just sit for a few minutes.
These are great fish to just throw on the grill. However, before doing so you need to spray the grill with “Pam or wipe it down with oil.” Once the grill is hot place the fillets and basically let them cook. No flipping here. The “still scales on” protects the fish’s meat for premature burning and also holds in the favor! No plates needed! Bon Appetite!
Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!
Captain Sherman I Helmey (dark suit) old Chessy Cat Smile! My Uncle Henry is just a smiling regular. Now you know the difference!
“NO RIDERS TODAY!”
My father has always been a lot of fun to be around. For one thing you never actually knew what he might do next. There was this one thing that he did and I can’t ever remember being prepared for this “DOG-GONE” trick.
He would do this while he was driving in his car. If he happened to have to stop at a traffic light, which put him next to a bus stop this was his cue. However someone had to be waiting for the bus. He would push the electric window button and his windows would quietly open. As soon as it opened he would make this noise that would have scared anyone. This daddy noise made would scare even those riding in the car with him, which usually was me! He could bark exactly like a dog. I am not talking about a small one, but a real LARGE MAD ONE! I don’t have to tell you what happened when this noise came screaming out of the car. Everyone included me jumped. He seemed to get a big kick out of it. This action by him made him “SMILE LIKE AN OLD CHESSY CAT!” For those of you who don’t know that old saying please try to picture this. A large big headed fat cat, sitting on it’s rear end with a smile that covers its entire face. Now add driving a car and smoking a cigar at the same time!
The bad news is that I never really knew what the waiters at the bus stops thought about it. It was hard hearing much less reading their lips with their backs to me. “No Riders Today!”
Daddy in another “Chessy Cat Smiling moment!” Believe me there is lots more!
My father enjoyed living and had more fun doing so than anyone will ever know. The fact of the matter is “He’s in my thoughts every day!” Thanks goodness for memories!
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
Phone: 912 897 4921
912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
E-mail
FishJudy2@aol.com
Born
to Bottom Fish