CAPT JUDY APRIL 2008

March 31, 2008

Happy Fish Day!

Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and “Little Miss Judy’s story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy

Suggestions Straight from Captain Ray Golden Tybee Tackle….
March 23, 2008, one hour before the low tide stage (Noon to 2:00 PM)

This past week Captain Ray Golden had some customers that just wanted to go fishing not from a boat, but from a bank. He suggested that they take a walk out to red buoy located at the mouth of Lazaretto Creek where it meets the sound. Captain Ray suggested purchasing some Berkley gulps mud minnows imitations molting color baits. These baits are great! Heck, they look like a real mud minnow for sure! While pitching mud minnows on jigs the fishermen got the attentions of 20 fish. They caught red fish and spotted sea trout about an hour before the tide turned low that afternoon. It was a bonus for the fishermen and another feather for Captain Ray’s cap!
Log Book, Log Book, Log Book!
For those keeping a logbook I suggest taking this fishing report information, go to the week that I as well as other captains are reporting on and make notes. This information is definitely priceless, because it helps you form a bite pattern for years to come! The best logbook out on the market is called “TDELOG,” which comes in a southeastern edition. (For this area!) You can purchase these logbooks at most tackle shops. They have a website www.tidelog.com the phone number is 1 415 868 2909. Believe me we have been using this “tide tool” for years! (Under $20.00 bucks!)
Inshore Fishing

I’m not going to say, “it red hot, because it’s not!” However, as my father used to say, “it is what it is!” With that, here’s what’s happening…. With inshore water temperatures “teeter tottering” up and down the fish are having a hard time trying to get a feeding pattern down. There were some nice spotted sea trout caught this past week. Some tipped the scales to over 4 pounds. As I looked at these just caught trout I had to wonder about a few things. The first thing I wanted to do was to open them up and see what was in the old stomach. Well, I did and they were empty as can be. The fact of the matter is all fish caught had empty stomachs. This brings to light the fact that the trout are still coming out of hibernation mode, which is what fishermen have been looking for. All spotted sea trout were caught on the standard baits of live shrimp or mud minnows. It seems that live bait ruled the past week. I asked if any of the fishermen has tried the artificial stuff and the only reply that I got was “no!” If you read last week’s fishing report, you know that artificial baits were “in and the live stuff was out.” Bringing to light once again that during this transition time it suggested to take it all, just in case!

Tybee Island Tackle Store
A Must To Visit!

Visiting Captain Ray Golden’s Tybee Island Tackle store is like taking a step back in time. His place reminds me of how a tackle store looked back in the good old days. Captain Ray doesn’t line his shelves with tackle that offers up “eye appeal only!” The fact of the matter is and “you can take this to the cooler,” because what he is “selling is what the fish are biting!”

Not only will he sell you what fish want he will also suggest where to go to get your best chance. As far as tackle he carries all price range tackle. He also has rod/reel combos set up with line included. As far as bait he has the real and the artificial stuff to offer! Captain Ray prices are reasonable and more than worthwhile ride to the island to take a look see! Give him a call 912 786 7472 or take a ride down highway eighty east, cross over the Lazaretto Creek Bridge, and take the first right turn you come too! Follow the signs to “Tybee Island Tackle!” Tell Captain Ray that Captain Judy sent you!

Captain Jack McGowan’s Inshore Fishing For Report!

Mar 24, 2008
Typically as spring approaches the weather can be mercurial. Last week fit this pattern: changeable weather with windy conditions. On one of the windiest days we still caught some nice sea trout pitching plastics (chartreuse or new penny Bass Assassins sea shads and Exude jerk baits). Pitching plastics was effective because the drift as well as the flow of water was poor. Pitching enables fishermen to cover water and find fish. When the winds abated redfish could be found in the sounds. There are lots of redfish being seen in the 14 to 16 inch range. Some flats are holding large numbers of fish about 27 inches. Reds are taking wide variety of artificial and natural baits. At present shrimp are available, if not plentiful. It has been said that last winter was relatively mild and there are plenty of shrimp that over wintered, that survived the winter and that local shrimp are available at some bait shops. This time of year the availability shrimp is always problematic so giving your local bait shop a call is a good idea.
During windy days look for clean water and lee shores. If the drift is poor switch to pitching or trolling. On days when the wind is laying the sounds can be productive. An ideal spot is one where there is a good drift, clean water and bait is present. The strongest catches of sea trout have been south of Savannah fishing bait. Fishing will pick up as water temperature rises. Fishermen targeting sheepshead have done well both inshore and near shore. Whiting bite is picking up and should heat up in the coming weeks. Seems early but few flounders have already been landed.
Tides for the coming week are small from 6.6 to 5.6 feet. Small tides are ideal for redfish and sheepshead. Smaller tides give fishermen a longer window to target sheepshead as well as finding fish further off the structure and possibly easier to catch. Small tides also mean fishermen can stay up on the flats longer allowing for more time with the fish. Small tides can mean poor drifts so when targeting sea trout fish spots that are prone to more current. Top of tide it’s best to fish points. One definition of fishing is covering water. Pitching or trolling plastics will enable fishermen to cover lots of water when the drift is slow. Once you locate fish stay in that area. Good fishing, Captain Jack McGowan
Lets Talk A Little About Artificial Baits!
Artificial baits such as Berkley Gulps, which come in a their own special solution, can be used over and over again even after they are “hit and bit.” Used whole or Parts of Berkley Glups baits should be placed back in the solution for future soaking. I have also dropped small pieces of squid, fish, and shrimp into this secret sauce. Heck, you can even pour this stuff in a spray bottle and hit any baits used with it. Artificial baits when hit become damaged, these parts when cut up like a loaf of bread make great bottom baits for just about any kind of fish whether used inshore or offshore. This all boils down too small hooks as well as baits can sometimes equal large fish bites!

Artificial baits are great tools used for catching fish! The good news is that there are plenty different colors, shapes, those with sauce, and those without sauce. Back in the old days about the only artificial bait on the market was the plastic worm, which really worked for sure. However, the worm, which was the greatest when used in freshwater, didn’t get use in saltwater for a long time. Fishermen might have used them, but didn’t want anyone to know. It was just out of the realm of things to do. Once the plastic worm was “well received into the saltwater world” things really picked up in the artificial creating world!

Then there were a few, not many such as the “Christmas Tree lure and the Hopkins” that worked, but not a lot of fishermen believe in them. However, this new style of bait, which was termed artificial, finally caught on. Manufacturing went crazy creating all shapes and sizes. As always you must know I am going somewhere with this madness of information!

Artificial lures are imitations of the real thing. With that being said, “what a fish wants on a particular day especially if it’s the live stuff can certainly be replaced with the artificial stuff.” The means if you have artificial bait that matches “color and size” of what the fish are eating on a particular day “nine times out of ten” you can change out quick enough.

The secret to this “change up ritual” that you must pay close attention to every detail. For instance: Let’s talk a little about mud minnows. Berkley gulps put out a great imitation of a mud minnow along with the prefect scent to match. Let say, “real live mud minnows are working” and you are running a little low on them. It’s suggested that you try the artificial ones kind of mixed in. Now if you are presenting these live bait with using popping corks or traditional float rigs I suggest trying the artificial with what you are using. This new change might not work with the same presentation. If not, go with an entirely different presentation such as removing the float and adding the artificial minnow to a jig head as your would a live shrimp or real thing mud minnow. Cast it to targeted area and work it as if it the real thing. Live mud minnows are known for staying low to the bottom and trying to blend in with the bottom. I believe this is why they are the color that they are! I hope that I gotten my point across that your artificial bait used has to match as close as possible real bait used.

Back in the old days my father used to say, “you have to decide whether or not your want to use artificial or not!” This day and time that’s not something that needs to be considered. The reason being is that in some cases the artificial stuff can and does attract more fish than the real thing! It’s all about knowing “when to hold them and when to fold them!” I believe that was great song from yesteryear!

Striped Bass Baits!
As The Worm Turns!

The duo fishing team of Evelyn and James Clausen has once again proven that they know what a fish wants! Their targeted species for this past month has been the allusive striped bass also known as “rock fish!” These strong pulling fish are most of the time hard to convince to take an artificial lure. However, this duo made some additions to the old plastic worm. James took a black worm called “Berkley poser” and rigged it up “Clausen style!” Before tying on the hook he added a small glass bead and a brass ¼ ounce nose weight to the main line. With eels being high up on a striped bass favorite food list “black worms” worked out just fine!

William Waters and his 30 inch Red Fish!

Captain Ray Crawley along with his six-year-old charter fisherman William Waters (And Chris, William’s mother) made some serious headway into fishing history this past week. While fishing inshore with a very light version of the traditional float rig and a single live shrimp as bait William caught a 30-inch trophy red fish. Once hookup the fish did everything it could to get away! However, William did what he was told, which was reel steady and hold his rod tip up. As soon as he brought the fish to the boat, pictures were taken, and it was carefully released. A big fish catching congratulations goes out to William Waters for doing such a great job!

I fished the Savannah Snapper banks yesterday. The ocean was very calm with only large swells rolling to the west. We bottom fished with cut squid and fish, which worked quite well. However, after switching up to the live bait things in the catching department changed a bit. Large bottom fish such as genuine red snapper, grouper, white grunts, and sea bass hit quicker and better. For live bait we were using cigar minnows and Jack mackerel, which we caught at the L Buoy on our way to the banks. The best laid plan is going to be to stop at the artificial reefs, get out the gold hook Sabiki bait rigs, and catch at least 100 live baits before heading out to the banks!

Freight Train Pulling Grouper

All fishermen love to catch big grouper. The reason being is that they are strong pullers. Groupers are basically bottom fish that feed looking up. They like to lurk around ledges, holes, rocks, or anything that can provide some sort of shelter. Their main goal when feeding is to grab what catches their eye while backing up under the ledge as quick as they can. This is where the term “freight train pulling grouper” came to past. The ticket to this ride is live bait! All you have to do is to let the fish eat, set the hook while it’s backing up, and try to keep the fish disoriented until you get it off the bottom. All this has to be accomplished in the first 8 seconds before “this fish train gets back on the track!”

Freshies Report

When large mouth bass are holding deep you might not get a peep out of them! However, normally when the bass goes deep there are some of their counterparts that want to suspend above the school. Fishermen know that to catch a fish you must get your bait to the source, which is the fish’s mouth. After all they are not eating with their tails! When fish are holding deep, especially if it’s over 20 feet, it’s hard to get your lure to do what you want it too. The reason being is that there is too much distance between you and the fish. Once you find those fish that are deep take what I call a “look about!” While watching your fish finder look for any fish that might be suspended in the mid water column. It can be assumed that these fish are there for a reason and that’s to feed on something. It might as well be your hook! Place your bait here and work it, because this is going to be your best strike zone!

Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!”
Sport Models Never Go Away!

My father was “sport model” for sure! Although his fishing time ended in 1993, at least down here, it seems he still lives on. The reason being is that every time I write about him, think about him, or see something that reminds me he stays yet another day! Heck, my father is everywhere at least in my world. Every time I drop a hook over board I can’t help thinking about the way he used to do things especially in the catching department. For him, Captain Sherman Helmey, there wasn’t a fish that didn’t want to bite his hook! (Or a woman that didn’t want to date him!) The fact of the matter is according to all of his stories told; he had fish figured out! This didn’t come as a form of bragging, but as an actual fact! He did catch quite a few fish during his catching career. In some case it was luck, but in most cases it was his desires along with his styles that made all this catching value work.

Thanks to him I know so much about fishing that it’s almost unbelievable even by me! As I get older and the mind gets where it goes sometimes, which “is out of here” I am going to try and write it all down. When I write about fishing the information pours out of me like water out of a faucet. I am always saying, “I’m not making all of this up, because I don’t have that great of an imagination.” I looked up “imagination” in the old Webster’s dictionary and was quite surprised at what I read. According to the page before me I read, “the action or faculty of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses.” In my case since it’s not imagination it must be what I was taught so that I could learn what I needed to know!

Here’s My Line Now Bite My Hook!

Captain Judy
“Fishing Physic!”