Surf Report:
Hey Judy, have you been doing any fishing lately? Because just like all ya’ll who fish from boats us surf fisherman have trouble with the winds to. From what I’ve seen lately, the normally windy month of March has spilled over into April this year. These big spring winds and the scourge of work has kept me off the beach this past little while but I was able to get in a good day on 4/2.
As soon as the monsoon style rains ended that day I headed to the beach with high hopes. Despite a big effort on my part I was only able to obtain small results. I guess the strong cold front or the influx of too much fresh water shut things down. I fished a full tide swing from low to high. Man, twenty plus knot winds out of the west made my surf casting skills look impressive, it felt good to really sling um' out there. Not a fish catching day by any means and I refer to days like today more like fishing practice anyway.
The slim tally on 4/2 was one short Atlantic Sharpnose shark, half a dozen dink Whiting, one saucer sized Atlantic Ray, and one little pup shark which I found unusual for this time a year.
The surf water felt pretty good, currents were not too strong and out of the south. Water temp was a solid 66-67 degrees. Surf fishing should improve real soon. Judy I really hope so cuz I'm gonna cook up my last bag of Whiting I have left form last year for supper tonight. Mmmmmmn, love me some tasty Whiting.
With gorgeous weather and light winds at hand I just had to give it a go again on 4/4. Hurried home from work and was able to get in a few hours of surf fishing before the sun set. Man, what a difference a day or two makes. The Whiting bite was on. My offerings of fresh shrimp were readily taken, landing um’ two at a time on my double dropper rig. Good gravy Judy, all the ten to eleven inch Whiting you wanted, and Judy it figures, cuz it’s Whiting time. They were not interested in eating Fishbites like last week, only fresh peeled shrimp. No big bull Whiting were landed, but if you wanted to harvest a mess for a fish fry then all was good.
Glenn thanks always for your surfs reports! Everyone is always waiting anxiously for them! And whatever you do, please keep them coming! Captain Judy
Please meet Halli Hollingworth and her sister Heidi. While fishing with Captain Tommy Williams of Miss Judy Charters these two fishing rock stars had a bonus catching day!
Proud parents, Dany and Jamey said, “Their girls did a great job of casting, setting the hook, and reeling them in!” And what did the parent catch? Lots of sun of rays and some serious wind burn! Oops…I forgot to mention they were the picture takers, the sandwich getters, and they got to pay for the fishing trip, too!
Inshore Fishing Report!
Red Fish Red Fish Flat Fish!
Red fish is not all these young fishermen caught!
Heidi Hollingworth her sister Halli, and Captain Tommy Williams (holding a nice flounder) are all sporting fish catching smiles!
While fishing with Captain Tommy Williams of Miss Judy Charters Gabe Bartolomei caught this nice red fish! After this great picture was taken Gabe’s fish was released back to the wild!
Working your bait!
It doesn’t matter whether you are fishing inshore or offshore, because making moves catches fish! Dropping your baited hook to the bottom can be as simple as you would like. It is true, you can bait your hook, drop to bottom, and just let it sit. And in some cases you will catch a fish that is if you dropped directly into the strike zone. I say, take charge of your bait and make it work for you. It is a known fact that if you move that bait it will work a whole lot better!
How do I work my bait? The simplest way to describe this old school old tool style of fishing is to say, “Move it move it and move it some more!”
Artificial Reefs
Fishing with the Ladies! Nope, I mean catching with the ladies!
Left to right..Kevin Wingard, Kamryn Windgard, Kourtnee Wingard, Miana Fishman, and Flen R. Wingard
Who’s Finicky Now?
The bottom fishing has been good one day and kind of good the next. Since we are having crazy weather patterns I can’t much blame the fish for been so finicky. Here’s what I do know whether is it finicky time or not! My plan when it comes to an off bite, meaning you can see the fish on your finder, but they don’t really want to bite, I just make lots of moves. I have found that not all fish will bite with these conditions, but sooner or later by moving from spot to spot you are going to find a school that is hungry.
This past week Buddy Brinkley helped me on my boat with one of my charter groups and we had lot of interesting conversations. He certainly is a lot younger in years than me, but Buddy has a lot on board when it comes to catching fish. During the commercial fishing seasons, Buddy runs a commercial boat for Charlie Phillips. His motley crew, while bottom fishing catches everything from golden/brown tile to vermilion to black sea bass to trigger fish to many other different species. He explained how some fish had to be packed a certain way in the ice in order to keep them properly cold. Back in the old days I used to watch the commercial fishermen unload their catches at dock and I remembered how neatly they were packed in ice. It seems what worked then is still working now!
Buddy talks about “Hook Shy!”
Buddy mentioned an old phase that I hadn’t heard in a while…he said, “Some fish get hook shy!” Well, many years ago my father used to push that line to his customers. According to my father too many hooks in one area for long periods of time spoils a fisherman’s chance of catching fish. I had to smile when Buddy said the phase. And I then asked, “Do you go back and fish the area anyway?” And he replied, “Well, heck yah!” And that is just about how it worked with us too. No matter whether we thought whether the fish were “hook shy or not!” …if we knew the fish were there, well we fished for them for sure!
Savannah Snapper Banks
It is a mixed bag affair!
Captain Ken Kennickell and Captain Deidra Jeffcoat made it to the banks this past week. And they had a bonus day of catching! They caught a variety of bottom from triggerfish to vermillion snapper to hog nose also known as white grunt to black sea bass as well as other biters. They did see a few amberjack, which gladly, once hooked, gave their fishermen one heck of a line stretching affair!
Gulf Stream Fishing!
Yahoo Wahoo Tail Cutter!
This Wahoo is showing us just how far it can open its mouth. Check out their set of teeth and what do that do so well with them? This fish, when in the attack/feeding mode cuts the prey’s tail off first, then turn back, and picks up the spoils. After all when a fish’s tail is gone, well, no swimming here! This is why the Yahoo Wahoo’s nickname if “Tail Cutter!” On their first swipe they cut their prey’s tail off, which sends it spiraling downward. The Wahoo then turns back to pick up the best part. Now here is the best part…in most cases the Wahoo is swimming with couple of counterparts. So therefore once you get hit, if you free spools all baits in your spread back, you just might recruit interest from some of its fishing friends! We call this prospect fishing at its finest!
Well, sent spring has sprung it is time to make plans for blue water fishing trip. And now ..it is also time to ask, “Your boat or ours?” During this time you could find yourself catching everything from large Wahoo to Mahi Mahi to tuna! And as of last week there was a report and I saw pictures of some nice yellow fin tuna that were caught a little north of our area! Ok, now we all know it is time to go!
Freshies Report!
Swirley Bird King!Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-289-1543, at [email protected], or at his web site: www.georgiafishing.com
Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not Story!
Miss Judy Too has gone to the birds!
Remember the movie “Bird on a Wire?” Well, this is a bird in a net! Before you go getting upset…we did not catch this bird. It flew into our dip net, perched itself, posed for this picture, rested a few minutes, and then decided it was time to take flight! Quite often while we are many miles offshore, these small birds will fly into our boats. They land on our fishing rods, our customers, the boat’s dash, and in most cases just ride with us a bit. On one occasions I filled a bottle cap with water and put it on the table well, you guessed it the small bird had it a sip or two. Haven’t gotten a picture of that yet, but I am working on it! I guess you could say that the Miss Judy Too is not only a fishing vessel, but also a grand resting spot for the birds!
Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
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