Saltwater inshore and offshore fishing report and Captain Steve Triple Trouble great bait and crusty bread recipe!

Fishing statement: To try to insure that fishing stays in the hearts of those that loves it!



Captain Kathy and Captain Judy are having a little fun! And who is assisting Grady Andy age 8 Pittsburg, PA! And I said this once and I will now write it, “If it wasn’t for Grady we would have not caught this many fish!” Grady is fast, knows about fishing, and best of all he listens real good!



Well, our man Captain Garrett Ross of Miss Judy Charters has bascially unlock the code for pounder flounder! Here’s are some nice ones that made the fatal biting mistake! Captain Garrett’s flounder catching techinque are so darn different! And the rig used goes just like this...and that is all Captain Garrett would say! And I tried to interview the flounder on the fish cleaning table but they didn’t seem to want to talk either! Darn It!

Inshore fishing
The inshore bite continues to surprise me, due to the fact that the water temps are so darn warm. Believe me, I need to say, “Just plain HOT!” Once again I am giving the inshore bite a pretty good report even if our captains have to pull out all of the baiting up secrets. It is true those inshore fishermen that think outside of the baiting up box are the ones that are going to have the most luck catching instead of just fishing. So let talk about live baits during the hot times:

Live shrimp when you can keep that alive and well are usually the number one bait that an inshore fish loves to key on. The creeks and rivers are packed with all sizes of these hovering marine creatures and things in the eating department have changed up. So, you know the old saying, “Feast or famine!” Well, when it comes to using live shrimp as bait a triggered hit might not happen unless you used two at a time. Now I know that sounds like an expensive baiting up method, but since there are so many of these creatures in the water your single hooked up shrimp just might not get as much attention. So therefore I suggest going with doubles. The best news is if by using this baiting up technique you run low on bait, well, I suggest getting out the old cast net! Or stopping by one of the bait shops and purchase a few more shrimp!

During this time when casting for your own bait you get the opportunity to catch other baits that are going to work much better than a shrimp. I know I can’t believe I am saying that either! You could find yourself catching finger mullet, small blue crabs, yellow tail, croakers, peanut menhaden and others that just might “match the hatch!” Another live bait that is also working is the so often forgotten about mud minnow, which comes in all sizes from super small to jumbo. When only having the smaller ones I suggest using two. The larger ones, also known as jumbos, will work just fine alone. This is bait is as hardy in the hot months as it is in the cold months.

Using these baits and your chances for catching larger fish will get a whole lot better. What kind of large fish? Spotted sea trout, red fish, and flounder. What’s the best way to present these off the wall baits? I suggest taking the float out of the rigging up situation and only using the trout sinker, leader, and hook. Or using a Carolina type rig with an egg sinker, swivel, leader, and hook. Or there is always plain naked!

Tim Andy Pittsburg, PA is showing us how close he came to catching a very nice mackerel! What do you think ..Spanish or king mackerel eye?









Near shore
Savannah River Channel

Photo taken 1970 by a very young Captain Judy Helmey
This is a photo I took in 1970 while fishing in Tybee Roads! The birds are showing us the way! Boy, I love and miss the good old days!
Trolling and strolling! During this past week there have been a few days where the Spanish mackerel having been school in the shipping channel, which passes right off the beach at Tybee Island. The shipping channel is also known by us old codgers as “Tybee Roads!” During this time of the year Spanish mackerel are known for schooling and feeding from red 12 all the way to the end of the shipping channel. All the red buoys heading out to the ocean are always on your left and when returning back to shore they should always be on your right. (Thus the saying, “Red right return” was born.) All of the red buoys mark the offshore side of the channel. I always like trolling red side of the channel while zigzagging back and forth from the deeper to the shallower side of the channel. Schools of bait can be found holding on the drop offs. Spanish mackerel become the best ambushers of all times. And here’s the thing, when the Spanish start feeding like this in the channel, so do the large smoker king mackerel. The best when targeting Spanish mackerel is to troll 0 and 00 Clark spoon deep behind #1, #2, or # 3 planners. The best bait when targeting large king mackerel is small Spanish. (Bringing back to light there is always a bigger fish in the sea!)



Captain Kathy and Captain Judy are having a little fun! And who is assisting Grady Andy Pittsburg, PA! And I said this once and I will now write it, “If it wasn’t for Grady we would have not caught this many fish!” Grady is fast, knows about fishing, and best of all he listens real good!

Artificial Reefs
Normally during this time of the year the Spanish and King mackerel bite is much more dependable. However, I must report that it has not been so, so far! So with that being said, “When fishing all of the artificial reefs I suggest pulling out all of the baits that ever worked or just doing what I do, KEEP DRAGGING THOSE BAITS AND SOONER OR LATER BITES WILL HAPPEN!

The bottom fishing for black sea bass in 45 to 65 feet of water has almost been non existence. You might catch a few while small ones while bottom bumping. However when it comes to keeping I don’t have not much to report. However, please remember when it comes to bottom fishing you really never know what you might catch!



This is a double 00 Clark spoon! When trolled behind a 2 ounce trout sinker, 1,2,3 inch planer, or tie directly on to the leader bites will happen! Another favorite size is single 0 Clark Spoon! What do they catch? Spanish and king mackerel, blue fish, little tunny, and any other fish that can pass up something shinny!

Captain Kathy Brown of Miss Judy Charters is holding a nice male black sea bass also referred to as a black fish, which was caught earlier this year. And they are coming soon to the structure at the artificial reefs and ledges/live bottom areas at the Snapper Banks!



Savannah snapper banks!

Alli “The Kid” DeYoung is holding up a nice scamp grouper also known by us old fishermen as a broom tail! Yet, it’s true; you can almost sweep the deck of the boat this fish’s tail!
During this time of the year bottom fishing at the snapper banks can be a little complicated for sure. I mean, you mark a lot of fish, drop down, but don’t catch anything. Well, that basically is bottom fishing during the month of August during these hot water times! August is almost over September is right around the corner and no matter what these bottom fish are going to have to make some sort of a move! And when they do they will get hungry and we will be there to catch them.


However, there is good news. If you do happen to drop and don’t get a bite all you have to do is to move to another spot. Why? Because spots sometimes referred to as Fishing Cities at the Snapper banks are not the same. What does this mean? Well, if they don’t bite at one place they most likely are going to bite at another. And while you are doing all of this moving and dropping to the bottom I suggest putting out some sort of a flat line. What is the definition of a flat line?






A Flat Line


It is a line normally a set up with 20 pound test main line rigged with some sort of king mackerel rig or live line rig. The secret to the flat line is that you do not let your bait sink too deep. You should place your bait at the depth where you can barely see it. Why? If it is sunny and you are using some sort of shinny rig the sun is going to help you a lot when it shines on your rig. And the fish that you are trying to target such as king mackerel, Mahi Mahi, cobia, barracuda, and etc normally cruise at this depth. Why? Because they can see all around further distances while being able to find better feeding opportunities!

Boy, have things changed? Back in the day, we might have looked like would be bank robbers! Now, what are we and even the Dummy Ruth Lee doing? Just following the rules! Nobody wanted their names posted except for Ruth Lee! So you will just have to guess!


On the freshwater catching side...we have

My cuz (Captain Judy) and good friends with Captain Garrett Ross of Miss Judy Charters, Mickey Holbrook owner operator of MAD GILLZ Fishing Guide Service a call. (470 262 6035) Mickey is a member on the gangster side of the family! And that is all I am going to say about that!)

For those of you that want to do a little fresh water fishing I highly suggest giving Mickey Holbrook owner operator of MAD GILLZ Fishing Guide Service a call. (470 262 6035) There are two things that we know for a fact ...and what is that? Our new fresh water connection is Mickey Holbrook! And I approved this message times two!

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Old School is the Tool!
Now I have known Bill and fished with him for many years. And I know by saying this I am showing my age. However, sometimes when it comes to catching fish age equals seasoned and also equals lots of darn acquired knowledge! Between the two of us, well we are weighted down with fishing knowledge for sure! In Bill’s case he knows freshwater and saltwater fishing like the back of his hand and any lure he invents or endorses works more than not! So give them a try, but don’t unless you want your best chance at catching fish! Just do it!


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Little Miss Judy Believe It or Not recipe brought to you by Captain Steve “Triple Trouble” Howell!
During this time of the year you can catch your own shrimp or just pull up to the nearest seafood market! The secret to purchasing shrimp is that you make sure you are getting Georgia Wild Shrimp! The ones in the picture above were caught while casting the old net, which can happen especially during this time of the year. My father used to always says, “When the shrimp have red legs it means that are just about to leave the creeks/rivers and head out to the sound!” Good thing we caught these nice ones before they started making way!

Great Bait and Crusty Bread!

Captain Steve “Triple Trouble” Howell has once again been a cooking up some good stuff! And this time it is not my recipe, but one of his! This recipe was given to him in one form and now it he has taken it to a Captain Steve “Triple Trouble” super great and delicious level! He is calling it Barbecued Shrimp à la Chef Kelly Plaswirth! And I am calling it Great Bait and crusty Bread!

Captain Steve “Triple Trouble” Howell and Captain Judy!
Captain Steve “Triple Trouble” says.....
Hello again folks. Prime time for fall white shrimp in Georgia is approaching, so Captain Judy asked me to start thinking about shrimp recipes she could share in her Weekly Fishing Report. There are a gazillion recipes for barbecued shrimp but I particularly like one developed by Kelly Plaswirth, former chef at the Federal Reserve Bank of New Orleans. My wife, Melinda, started her career at the New Orleans Fed and became good friends with Chef Kelly. Now, some chefs can be secretive about their recipes, but Melinda liked this recipe so much that she finally talked Kelly into sharing the recipe. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she was his boss at the time!


We have enjoyed this dish many times over the years and, yes, we have tinkered with the ingredients and cooking method. That’s what cooking is all about. Note that Judy’s father probably wouldn’t have liked this dish – there’s no ketchup in it! Enjoy. (From Captain Judy, this is true! However, he could have always added a bottle or two! Heck, after all, we had plenty; he brought it at the warehouse by the case! How about this? Glass bottles, too! And when the bottle was empty, daddy would add a bit of apple cider vinegar, shake it, and then drink it! As I said before, “Yes he loved ketchup even straight up!”)


Barbecued Shrimp à la Chef Kelly Plaswirth
From the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – New Orleans Branch


1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup Crisco vegetable oil
1 TB finely minced garlic
4 dried bay leaves crushed fine (a blade-style coffee grinder works great for this)
3 teaspoons crushed fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 TB paprika
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 pounds large fresh shrimp in the shell


1. In a heavy sauté pan, melt the butter, then add the oil and mix well.
2. Add all the other ingredients except the shrimp and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to boil.
3. Turn off the heat and let the pan stand, uncovered, at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp to the sauce. Mix thoroughly and put the pan back on the burner.
5. Cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp just turn pink, then put the pan in a pre-heated 450 degree oven and bake for 10 minutes. Serve equal portions of shrimp with about 1/2 cup of sauce over each one and lots of crusty French bread to sop up the drippings.


Thanks for reading! Captain Judy



Miss Judy Too headed out! FISH BEWARE!