Savana Georia Fishing Report Updated November 16, 2009
November 16, 2009
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
For the good times “meet Smiley!”
Information about inshore and offshore 2010 fishing schools
Captain Rick’s Black Drum Mania!
The spotted sea trout has been good!
November 11, 2009 inshore report with Capt Judy “Dead white oyster banks!”
November 12, 2009 inshore report with Capt matt “Red fish red fish!”
Captain Alan Collins loves fishing!
Captain Jack McGowan “Mid November fishing report!”
Winter run of king mackerel have arrived!
November 15, 2009 Sunday king mackerel have moved!
Big black sea bass are here!
November-December are red snapper catching month!
Freshies report
Little Miss Judy’s “1980 era real young Capt Judy’s got a gun!”
For the good times “meet Smiley!”
Doesn’t this picture just make you smile! Over the years I have been fortunate to see hundreds and hundreds of bottlenose dolphin. I have seen them in the creek, rivers, sounds, beachfronts, and in the ocean. The bottom line is no matter how many times I see them they always make me smile! For the good times I introduce you to “Smiley!”
Meet our residence dolphin “Smiley smiling!” It’s against the law to feed them! However, we can still take that picture and I did!
2010 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS
Our newly revised inshore and offshore handout material as well as classes taught is going to be considered “priceless!” We are also going to give you the best times to fish for what, when, how, and where for the entire year of 2010.
To sign up is simple!
To sign up all you have to do is email me fishjudy2@aol.com, call Miss Judy Charters 912 897 4921, or fax me 912 897 3460 and put your name on the school date you want to attend! “No deposit required, you could pay the day of the school!” Hope to hear from you soon!
TWO INSHORE SCHOOLS
Dates:
January 16, 2010
February 20, 2010
With tentative third inshore school date
March 6, 2010Time: 8:00AM – 2:00 PM
ONE OFFSHORE SCHOOL
Date: January 30, 2010
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
2010 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS
About our 2010 Inshore Schools
We have a great fishing situation in our area. The number one reason is that you can catch fish here year around. The catch is or if you want a catch is that you have to get a plan together! A well-laid plan will aid you to know when to target what, when, and how. The information that we will cover when attending the class will get you ready for such a task. Most fish have their perks and it could take years for any one fisherman to figure it out on their own. After all fish get together to school. So I say, Let’s get together and get schooled!” By taking advantage of all the information that we have compiled on each fish I can almost guarantee that you are going to have to re-spool you reels more often.
As you all know with this type of fishing the tides always play a big part in the catching scheme, but I think it’s time that we aren’t tide restricted any longer. In other words, let us help you learn how to up scale your fishing ability at any tide stage. We have changed the way we teach our schools. Our seasoned inshore captains are going to explain how to break down a fishing area so as to know exactly how to fish it! Most fishermen ride right by most “potential fishing spot!” It other words we show you not only what to look for, but also how to fish it! Inshore fishing used to be more about tide stages and oyster ranks, but not any more! After attending this class you will immediately know there is a lot more catching opportunity and learn more about how to catch fish at “more locations, more locations, and more locations!” This all boils down to so much water and so little time! So if you want “More catching opportunity out of your fish day” it’s time to sign up now!
Offshore Fishing School 2010
I’m calling it “My Just Fishing Offshore School!”
The reason being is that most fishermen don’t get a chance to fish all of the time! So therefore when fishermen do they at least want to get their best chances at catching fish! With that being said, “This fishing school is heading in the direction of “Going Green,” meaning get your best shot at catching a fish, while doing the least amount of damage to our wonderful marine resource. In the past we have offered so much information that it’s “mind boggling even to me!” To catch any fish there are certain steps such as where, tackle to use, bait, technique, and etc. However, as my father used to say, “Stick with what you know and add to it as you go!” This boils down to taking a little knowledge and making it go a long way!
My offshore school covers beachfronts, near shore artificial reefs, live bottom areas such as the Savannah Snapper banks, and even some Gulf Stream fishing techniques. It’s not just for those fishermen that have boats over thirty feet long. It’s an opportunity for all fishermen to get their best chance at catching offshore fish.
I have a 31 foot boat, Miss Judy Too,” which is my offshore boat. However, I have used it for some generic inshore fishing and with great catching results. What I am trying to get at is “on some occasions it doesn’t matter about boat size, but it does when it comes to knowing what to do when you get there!” The bottom line to the offshore school is that you will learn what to do when, where, and how! This all boils down to knowing which fish to target when and what bait to use. It’s all about “location, location, and location!”
All I can say, “It’s a one day fish school that could equal lots more successful fish catching days!”
Captain Rick’s Black Drum Mania!
Captain Rick Reynolds with nice black drum, which hit a live shrimp under a popping cork. For those of you that want to go inshore fishing now is the time!
Inshore Fishing Report
The spotted sea trout has been good!
The inshore fishing for the last couple of weeks, even with prevailing windy conditions, has been very good. Here are a few sure catching suggestions. Live shrimp seems to be the “Rage” at this time of the year. However, don’t rule out trying artificial baits once you get the bite pattern down. The rig, of course is the traditional float rig, but give a naked shrimp a try. You might be pleasantly shocked at what you might catch!
Inshore fishing with Captain Judy
Wednesday November 11, 2009 12:30 PM departure
Assortment of bites, catches, and releases!
Very windy “20 knots plus” and lots of rain
This is what I call a “dead white oyster bank.” About 75 feet off this bank is an underwater shoal that during low time the water depth is around 7 feet. Since I had an incoming tide stage I anchored right here and bottom fished. These areas that have dead oysters as structure offer up some of the best hiding places for smaller fish. It becomes a perfect target rich feeding environment for larger fish!
On this day I had some die-hard fishing customers. First before you start thinking I am crazy, we anchored in the river in the big boat. Yes it rained a lot and the wind howled. However, while fishing in front of a dead white oyster bank for 3 hours with light tackle and small pieces of shrimp we caught 24 spots, 15 assorted size whiting, 10 noisy pigfish, 6 perfect size pinfish, three 14 inch summer trout, 1 above average size blue fish, 2 snake like American eels, 1 long tailed sting ray, and striped burrfish that really entertained us. It wasn’t a big fish day, but we certainly did have a lot of fun!
Stripped burrfish, which was released unharmed! So now you know what one looks like! Look at those eyes!
Inshore fishing with Captain Matt Williams!
Thursday November 12, 2009 8:00 AM Departure
Red fish red fish!
Very windy rainy conditions
Red fish mania!
Once again we had fishermen that wanted to do some inshore fishing. While using small adjustable floats and live shrimp they all caught some really nice red fish. The major feeding time was the end of the out going to the first of the incoming. The fact of the matter is even though it was windy, rainy, and muddy water conditions prevailed the fish didn’t care. This proves once again sometimes what’s going on up above doesn’t effect those down under! The bottom line to a fish day is “if you have planned on going and it’s safe, I suggest not changing your plans!”
This is Captain Matt’s adjustable float rig, which he was using with live shrimp. He slips on a small piece of plastic tubing between the float and sinker, which protects the bottom of float. The small additions can add a lot more life to you floats.
Captain Alan Collins loves to fish!
Captain Alan shows us that not only do we still have somewhat of a flounder bite, but they the have a fine set of teeth too! This fish gladly hit live shrimp on traditional style adjustable float rig.
Captain Jack showing off a nice fall/winter flounder!
Captain Jack McGowan Mid November Fishing Report!
The bite has been good! Fall is great time for inshore fishing! This year has been no exception! The October redfish bite has been strong. When the “bite is on” fishermen at times can literally throw a bare hook and catch a quality redfish. Recently we stuck a soft plastic into a submerged oyster bed only to have redfish suck up the plastic and almost pull the rod into the water. A sign of feeding redfish is when you see a blue tail on these fish. These fish with a blue tail are in an active feeding mode. Contrary to popular opinion catching a fish or two won’t scare fish off the flat. The thrashing and fighting of a fish can and often excites the school into a feeding frenzy. When this happens catching is easy. Just chunk anything into the water and hold on. Just like shrimp up the flats. The question is how long will this last? As long temperatures are mild! We don’t experience a real shot of winter fishing “the redfish bite” should remain strong. Another great sign for redfish is orange butterflies. We are seeing plenty!
As temperatures continue to fall anticipate the sea trout bite to intensify. The sea trout has been good but will likely get even better. During October on one trip we on a nice sea trout bite only to find sharks have taken over a few days later. It’s likely a bonnet shark is not able to run down a healthy sea trout but several sharks on flat can push the sea trout off.
Temperatures to date have been pretty mild. Shrimp are still up on the flats. Should be relatively easy for a person to cast net a quart or two. There have been lots of small to medium shrimp. There have been reports of large shrimp being caught by deep-water casting. Sheepshead appear to pretty numerous inshore as well flounder. Usually large flounder are caught during September. This year there have been reports of good catches large late season flounder.
A word on conservation: Keeping some fish no problem. Keeping a lot of upper end redfish will impact the school you are fishing. Just a reminder it takes five years for redfish to sexual maturity. Keeping a few redfish is no problem but when possible release as many upper end fish as possible. I do not keep a redfish for myself. Its not because I would not enjoy eating the fish it’s simply because this fish is so fun to catch. My hope is when you and go out there will be plenty of strong tugs. If you keep a limit, this is not a problem. If you have access to the resource and catch plenty of these fish my suggestion is go light on the resource.
November 13 and 14, 2009
Tides during the week are increasing. Early morning tide on Saturday Nov. 14th is at 8.2 feet. Nonetheless fishing should be good! The Cystic Fibrosis Savannah Inshore Tournament is being held this weekend at the Bahia Bleu Marina in Thunderbolt. Should be a fun event! And more importantly is its benefiting a good cause. Also in this event every fish caught will be released. This is concept that is a little novel but an excellent idea. Likely if we ever have to have a closure it will take years before a reopening. Please support your CCA chapters as well turn your spent fish to the DNR at designated freezer drop offs. There are drop off freezers at Hogan’s Marina, Bahia Bleu and Landing Harbor on Skidaway Island. This is an excellent program to participate in. These carcasses are a key component in establishing limits. Enough said. Hope you survived the recent rain and are able to get on the water! Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan
Now for those that don’t know what a smoker king looks like here’s a 40-pound king mackerel! Captain Ali Young of Miss Judy Charters caught this fish a couple of years ago while live lining a single cigar minnow. By the way Captain Ali is 5 feet 6 inches tall!
Artificial Reef Report
Weapons of choice!
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
Here are two different types of old style spoons. From right to left: Huntington 0-SFC 2-1/4” 1/6 oz Drone Spoon, Huntington 1-HPFS 31/4” 3/8 oz Drone Spoon, and Clark Spoon 0-RMBS 21/2” (Drone Spoons are much sturdier than the Clark Spoons. Both types of spoons offer up their own signature movement! I suggest purchasing both styles and basically stay with the silver color, because you can’t go wrong!)
All of these spoon will get the catching job done and have been for many years. These spoons are listed, at least in my fishing book, as “Classic Old School Lures!” There is only one more thing to say, “You drag any of these spoons offshore and you will catch a fish!”
This king mackerel hit a 31/2-inch Drone spoon so hard that it bent it! The kings love them so I suggest pulling this lure for maximum attention!
Winter run of king mackerel have arrived!
I have been talking about it, but couldn’t really report on these fish being here. We have caught a few forerunners over the last couple of weeks, but couldn’t really say, “The winter run of king mackerel have arrived!” However, “they are here and in full force!” Not only did I see them jumping I caught them. So therefore for those fishermen that want to get in on this catching opportunity “now is the time!” All you have to decide now is “your boat of mind?”
The best news in regards to the king mackerel at this time of the year is that they come in different sizes. In my fishing world here’s the list of sizes that I have come up with: The smallest of the kings are called “snakes!” This size weights in fewer than 9 pounds. Most of the time this size king is over 24 inches tail length. The regulations for king mackerel is that they have to be at least 24 inches fork length and carry a bag limit of 3. The next weight king is called “teenager,” which means this fish normally weights in from 13 to 19 pounds each. The snakes and the teenagers are also called “slingers,” because they can just be “slung right into the fish box.” The next size is what is called the “Smokers,” which doesn’t necessarily mean any king over 20 pounds. I would consider a king over 20 pound a big king. However, to qualify to be a smoker you have to tilt the scales to over 30 pounds plus. Heck, in some areas a 30 pounder isn’t considered a smoker. I would like to add if one of my customers catch a big smoking king around 30 pounds I am going to be very happy. The best news is of all is “this could happen!” Before I close I suggest using a gaff on any king mackerel over 19 pounds.
November 15, 2009
King mackerel have moved!
Well, the winter run of king mackerel pulled a switch-a-roo on us this past weekend. They moved from around 60 feet of water to about 70 to 90 feet. The kings were holding at the Savannah Snapper banks and Gray’s reefs. Most fish were caught while slow trolling live baits, frozen cigar minnows or deep diving plugs. From reports received all kings averaged 13 to 18 pounds! More in next week’s report!
Big black sea bass are here!
This is fine picture of a just caught male black sea bass. These fish are fun to catch and great to eat. All artificial reefs and the Savannah snapper banks area is holding the attentions of this fish.
This genuine red snapper couldn’t pass up this live bait. Even thought it was too big for it to eat, this fish still tried!
Savannah Snapper Banks
November and December at the Savannah Snapper banks is what I call “Red Snapper Catching Month!” Get them while they last!
Freshies Report!
Two largemouth bass and two baits are definitely better than one!
As you all know I am basically a saltwater fisherman that fishes at lot with fresh water fishermen. While riding to the fishing grounds we talk fish and I like to ask a lot of questions. The best news is that some of the freshwater information actually sounds like my saltwater fishing reports. While talking to a freshwater fisherman the other day the subject of using “double-up tactic on large mouth bass” enter into our conversation. The reason for this subject was the fact that I had started talking about “prospect fishing.” This is where once hooked up with one fish instead of reeling all other baits in you let them out further. It has been proven more than once that “where you have fish you have fish!”
According to this freshwater fisherman “largemouth bass are known for doing the same thing.” Now matter what you are fishing with, once hooked up it suggested that you have your fishing partner to cast in exactly where you got the hit. This is a very good suggestion, because chances are good for another quick hook up. The down side to this suggestion if this: If you are fishing a tournament where weight matters and your fishing buddy catches a larger fish “arguments just might happen!”
Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or not!
Straight from Shirley Kennard’s “Best fishing pictures archives!”
A couple of years ago a long time fishing friend Shirley Kennard brought some pictures by to me. In the eighties Shirley worked with Miss Judy Charters as a first mate. She worked with me and also with Captain Bill Marsh, whom ran my father’s boat the “Miss Jerry.” As I looked at these pictures I started thinking about all the great times we all had while taking customers fishing and spending time together. The 1980’s might have passed, but these great memories will last forever! A big thanks goes out to Shirley for keeping up with all of these great memories that would have definitely been lost forever!
You know the old saying, “One picture is worth a thousand words!” Well, here are two that just might fall into that category!
1980’s Era “Real Young Captain Judy’s got a gun!
Now here are a couple of pictures that certainly do tell an interesting story!
Photo by Shirley Kennard
This is my 1980’s era boat the “Miss Judy Too!” This boat was 31 feet long and had a 10-foot beam. On this particular day we were anchored at one of the local artificial reefs doing a little bottom fishing. From the looks of this picture you can see some fishermen weren’t having such a good time. The two fishermen on the port side both either had bad hangovers or the prevailing rocky sea conditions were getting the best of them. The on looker (holding on to the bridge ladder) seemed quite content peering over from mid ship of the boat. The fisherman sitting in the starboard fishing chair had a big fish on. My first mate “Scottie” (without shirt on) was assisting trying to keep the line from rubbing against the gunnels of the boat. Yes, that’s me (Captain Judy) with the red shorts and white t-shirt on. In my right hand I am holding a loaded 380 Browning semi-automatic pistol, which I have pointed up while waiting to take that perfect shot.
Photo By Shirley Kennard
As soon as the fisherman gets the big shark close enough to the surface I take the shot. From the looks of this picture the bullet hit the shark right on the head! Just goes to show you that back the old days if we couldn’t gaff or lasso the fish “we just shot them!” It was as simple as that! Now you know the rest of the story!
These pictures brought back lots of great memories! A big thanks goes out to Shirley Kennard for getting such a good shot of my shot!
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