• Blast from the past - Savannah's fishing families

    Well, while looking through some old photos and fishing reports I came across an article that I wrote for Island Living Magazine in July 2005. And was called Savannah’s own fishing families!

    Joseph Butt’s Motley fishing Team
    From left to right: Joseph Butts, Donald Sharp, Randy Sharp, Randy Lucree, Cole Baham, and Art Gagne

    Joseph Butts, Cindy and Bill Butt’s son was just awarded “The Presidential scholarship” from Dr. Carlton of Savannah State College. (An unbelievable achievement and a college scholarship not received by many) He starts college this fall. He says he can’t wait!) Joseph is holding a king mackerel, which is only one of the many fish that he caught.

    Donald Sharp (Joseph’s grandfather) holding two vermilion snapper, which as you can see aren’t sure which way that they want to swim “up or down!”

    Randy Sharp (Joseph’s uncle) holding a triggerfish. Randy plans on removing the skin of this fish and drying it out. Once the drying out process is accomplished he will then have two-pieces of the greatest sand paper known and used by real fishermen. The fact of the matter is that back in the old days (way back) sailors did in fact use dried triggerfish skins to sand the deck of wooden ships. It was either sand or “walk the plank!”

    Randy Lucree (grandfather to Cole Baham) holding a nice horizontal and very balanced vermilion snapper.

    Cole Baham, “big fish catcher of the day” well known accomplished fisherman at Miss Judy Charters. He is holding the big fish of the day, which is a fine genuine red snapper. Cole told his Grandfather (Randy) that he was determined to catch a big one. Cole is a true fisherman!


    Art Gagne holding is two nice size “football” vermilion snapper. For those of you that don’t know it, there is an art to catching vermilion snapper. Art figured this out early in the fishing bottom fishing day. This fish is known for sucking and stretching your bait to its limit. The secret is to set the hook when their mouth is over the hook’s point not just around it. Art got it and caught them repeatedly!




    Joseph Butt eyeing his king mackerel!


    Cole and Grandfather Randy holding up his fine genuine red snapper. Cole caught this fish while using a small piece of bait, small hooks, and a very determined fishing attitude! Big fish of the day!



    This group proved that they are real fishermen. The chartered my boat “Miss Judy Too” for a day of fishing at the Savannah Snapper Banks. They all braved the rough waters with a smile. Not one fisherman complained when a noon time storm surrounded us, charged us up with St Elmo’s Fire that caused all of our hair to stand straight up. As if that wasn’t enough this caused an electronics failure that lasted the entire passing of the storm. They all patiently waited for the storm to pass so that they could start fishing again. Not one fisherman complained about the rough sea conditions causing the fish to bite a little funny. They all continued to fish when they could, were happy at what they caught, and always managed to pull a fish to the boat. After a great day of storm dodging we headed home to hit yet another more violet weather. Ten miles off the sea buoy we encountered 50 knot plus winds and 8 foot sea conditions. When we reached calm waters of Wassaw Sound the first thing that they said, “We sure do have something to talk about at the old supper table!” I certainly do love my customers and my job!



    Captain Judy Helmey and award winning, fish catching Joseph Butts.



    Looking for something interesting to do?

    Daufuskie Island South Carolina!

    Another great secret located on the coast! Now this is not a fishing trip it is a seeing trip! It is a must for anyone! (Local or not!) For all the grand details I suggest giving Captain “Gator” Gary a call 912 604 1587 or email jgaryhill@gmail.com. He can set up transportation to get you there, golf carts, touring, and dinning! It is a great place and it is only accessible by water! So therefore it is a twofold kind of a situation, because the boat ride is also very interesting!

    Who is? Captain “Gator” Gary is a photographer, naturist, historian, teacher, writer, videographer, graphic designer, a navigational wizard when it come to operating unmanned aircraft, (drones), specializes in aerial photographer, and a columnist (currently with Southern Tides Magazine, pick up a copy today) In the May/June 2016 issue of Chatham Isles Captain Gator was titled a Renaissance Waterman! The bottom line…a darn interesting as well as talented person!





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