CAPT JUDY'S SALTWATER REPORT JULY 2008

July 28, 2008

Happy Fish Day!

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

Inshore Fishing Report

Artificial Inshore Baits Used
It’s a known fact that during this time there are those that think that inshore fishing is slow. However, for those that fish all of the time there is quite a bite to be had. The secret is to use bait that works best and that lasts the longest in the strike zone. Artificial baits are great to use! The reason being is that those fish you don’t want to catch can’t destroy them like they could the real thing. With all this being said, purchase some artificial paddle tails, screw tails or jerk baits. You can thread them unto to a standard size jig head and work them slow or used them under a float. Don’t just think about it, do it!

Captain Ray Crawley of Miss Judy Charters thinks about and does a lot of inshore fishing. I really do have to say, “he had the inshore bite pattern figured out especially during these hot times!”

As we talked, he brought some really good reasons why artificial works to your advantage at this time of the year. As we all know live shrimp works great. All fish love them, but that’s the problem. All fish including the ones you are not targeting hit your hard caught or costly bait “multiple times.” There is another thing that Captain Ray brought up and…it’s when using live bait you exactly spend as much time re-baiting as you do fishing. This means all those fish down under attack and kill, even if it’s one piece at a time, your precious live bait. It’s a known fact as soon as the bait is dead, its takes on an entirely new offering…. everything tries to eat it at one time! I think you get my point. However, while I am on the subject of bait stealers or should I say “fetish fish” I wanted to offer up my definition. The definition of a “fetish fish is those small fish types that remove the tail, heads, fins, and legs one piece at a time!” No matter what you call this when it happens it’s not live anymore…it’s just plain old bait hanging around.

I know you have been waiting for this real subject of this report. It’s all about artificial bait and the best way to use it. Captain Ray has his special used artificial baits for sure. His most used during this time is Strike King soft baits. The most popular with Captain Ray and the fish is 3XZTOO-55 “Baby Bass” Z TOO. These are jerk baits type baits that really work well at this time. The reason being is that the so called “fetish fish” can’t destroy them keeping your bait used in the strike zone longer.

Lets talk a little about artificial bait use at any time. The first thing you have to know, as a fisherman is that you have to have confidence in what you are using as bait. The fact of the matter is what works for Captain Ray might not work for you. Believe even though you aren’t exactly touching the bait used for some reason negativity travelers far. My father called in “mind bait games.” According to him, if you don’t believe in what you are using for bait nine times of ten you wouldn’t get a bite or even a hit-miss out of it!

Captain Ray loves his Baby Bass artificial lure and it works for him. He threads this lure on to an 8 red jig head. Now, most inshore fishermen us a ¼ ounce jig head, but Captain Ray prefers the lighter one. The reason being is that once rigged, your bait just doesn’t fall to the bottom in a lifeless state. It basically makes an “extra slow to fall” offering up a somewhat natural movement. In other words, we aren’t scaring the fish to death on the fall! Once Captain Ray makes the cast, he allows his bait to fall naturally, and then the process of retrieval begins. He instructs his customers to allow the bait to drop slowly without any interference. Once it has stop falling, he suggests “one revolution of the reel, short insignificant twitch, and repeat. This is just about when the hook up process should begin!

Let’s talk a little about where to put your bait during these hot times. No matter what time of the year it is you have what I call easterly exposed banks and those that aren’t. It’s simple to decide which bank falls under which category. Any bank or oyster ridden area that faces an easterly direction is called “an easterly exposed bank.” Banks that don’t face in that direction are not. I think you got that for sure.

Banks Located in the Sounds with an Easterly Exposure

These areas almost always have some sort of wave action. The bottom line is even if you don’t have wave action you have some sort of under water movement. This action brings in attentions of fish especially the smart ones or should I say, “the exact ones that you are targeting!” With all that being said, these banks make for great areas to work with especially when the tide is slack. The reason being it that there is still going to be some movement even if the tide isn’t running. There’s more…the continuous movement from the east brings in a food source that much more rich in value than other banks. In other words fish here, because the fish are!

The other banks AKA oyster banks still have a lot to offer, but you really do need to visit them when the tide is moving. Easterly banks just offering a little different bite especially when you have the up side to why this is so true! It’s time to get the old chart out and do a little checking.

Before I move on to my next subject I would like to list a few of the other artificial baits that are also working at this time: Berkley “Gulps” 5” / 13 cm Jerk Shad “Anchovy” and 5” / 13 cm jerk shad “New Penny.” These two-named Berkley Gulp baits are next generation soft baits. The main thing is to purchase artificial bait that has extra elasticity as well as real life like softness. The next thing to remember once rigged is “retrieving slow is the way to go!”

Please remember when working any particular fishing spot especially at this time, you don’t need to just fish towards the bank. All fish especially spotted sea trout and red fish stage way back before migrating to the bank. A red fish’s goal is to advance as soon as there is enough water covering the oyster rake area. Once the water gets to this point their second goal is move into their main feeding grounds “the grass!”

Spotted sea trout are known for holding up and back longer, because they are waiting for that extra depth of water covering. The fact of the matter is some of the baitfish that the trout feed on does the same thing. The also need a little more water to escape into and from their attackers! With this being said, “once you are set with anchor down, work the area over from all points of your boat.” You might be pleasantly surprised! I know I am every time!

Here are a few suggestions as well as points of interests on what not to do when fishing inshore

Red fish are probably the easiest spooked fish that there is especially in the near shore waters. It’s almost like once unfamiliar noise is introduced into there feeding zone they are “fish be gone!” The secret is if you get lucky enough to see the red fish before they see you try to make your casts as silent as possible. Once you have gotten your bait successfully delivered to the area you are one step closer to getting a serious hit. If you are using live bait I suggest just letting it sitting where you have it placed. If you are working some sort of artificial I suggest working it so slow that even you get bored, because if that’s the case you are probably going to get a hit!

When you see a tailing red fish, in my case no matter how many times, the first thing that I want to say is “look!” I ought to know, because I have been there and done that many times. For every occasion that this has happened to me I have received a semi scolding from the inshore captain nice enough to take me fishing! The bottom line is whether this is true or not, it’s as if these fish hear through their tails especially when doing that “tailing thing!” I’m not saying that they do, but what I am saying, “They sure spook easily when their tails are waving in the air! Quiet, quiet, quiet!

Spotted sea trout are one of those types of fish that likes to look at what they are going to eat. Although I haven’t exactly been inside this fish’s head I have studied their behavior quite a bit. Their design tells us if nothing else that they have keen sight. Not only that, but they like to look first at what they are going to kill and then eat. All this talk and conjecture leads to the fact that clear water is a must. Now that we got that out of the way we need to add moving to this scenario. Once we have done that we can now successfully bait up and get our best chance at hooking up a spotted sea trout. The bottom line is this: Trout like to feed in rips close to the bank or those formed even slap-dab in the middle of the creek. They are like all ambush type fish in that “where there is a killing/feeding opportunity they just might be there!” Just one more thing before I close. During this time of the year bait can be found almost anywhere. With that being said, so can the fish that feed on them! Where you have fish you have fish! It’s just as simple as that!

Offshore King Mackerel Report

During this time of the year large king mackerel also known as “Smokers” make they’re way to the beachfronts. It’s has been said for years that they are here for the spawning season. According my father, the king’s cousins “Spanish mackerel” always spawns around or a little after August 9 every year. According to his theory they were hungry before and after. However, they stayed on the surface more after the actual spawning than they did before.

Our boats have been catching quite a few Spanish and most all have been full of roe. Last year around mid-August they were roe free. I can’t wait to see if Daddy “rule of thumb” when it comes to the ways of a Spanish mackerel still hold true. I know I am getting out there, but if you have been reading my reports long, I always reel myself back in!

Back in the old days, large king mackerel were always seen jumping in the Savannah Shipping Channel. Since this was the route that Captain Helmey’s Charter Boat Company ran for many years, we really saw a lot of this sky rocketing Smoker King Mackerel! Daddy always said, “Big fish like this aren’t really jumping on purpose!” According to his theory this is what happens sometimes when a big smoker king attacks what it’s going to eat. If their prey being stalked is near the surface, after the assault they will become airborne of sure!

When making their advance to the beachfronts this fish has to eat and eat a lot. Not only are they carrying precious cargo within, but also to sustain a big fish’s weight like this it takes lots of feeding. My father used to say, “they didn’t get that big being stupid!” When a big king mackerel attacks what it’s going to eat it done so with force. The reason being is that they are going to hit the largest bait that they feel comfortable with, because in their big brown eyes, “one good kill is a fill!” A smart fish’s goal is to eat as much as they can while using the least amount of energy.

With all this being said, “larger baits especially during this time of the year are prefect to use when targeting a large king mackerel bite. Now you must keep in mind, that last statement leads into the fact that you are only targeting large fish. This means your opportunity to catch won’t be a good as it would if you were trying to catch any size king.

Let get this out of the way up front in this article. You can catch large fish such as king mackerel on light tackle. It’s done all of the time. However, if you take a poll of how many large fish were never properly hooked up, because they basically destroyed the rig used, you would understand this fishing dilemma. The dilemma that I am talking about is do you want to just wait for that big hook up or do you just want to fish for what’s going to bite? Let assume, since this article is about large fish only that you want to go into this targeting mode.

Best Way to Target a Smoker King Mackerel

Lets get the baits used suggestions out of the way. The bottom line to targeting a large king mackerel is the bait. You have to use the right bait or you might as well not be fishing at all especially when you are big fish the targeting mode. Since I doing most of my fishing in and around the coastal and offshore waters near Savannah, Georgia I will offer you up a great catching scenario. Please be advised that these theories will work in other areas!

When it comes to bait and it’s availability a king mackerel eats what’s most available. During this time we have Spanish mackerel, blue fish, bar jacks, (These bait fish might be called blue runners by some. I know I called them that for years!), ocean pogies, and large mullet. These baits that I have listed fall into what I would call “larger baits used” category.

We also are fortunate enough to have a regime of small baits also. The ones that fall into this category are, Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, big eye shad, Jack mackerel, Boston Mackerel, and thread fin herring. These baits will work as long as those that fit in the larger category aren’t available. Since they are at this time of the year I suggest when available going with the larger baits.

Here are a few places to catch these larger baits

During this time we have lots of surface baits schooling up near shore. If you go with the theory that they are herded here on purpose by the larger fish or it’s time for them to migrate to the near shore waters you could be right on both accounts. Fish are where fish are bringing to light, the chicken or the egg theory alive once again! In this case, which fish do what first and where?

The larger bait such as the bar jack have been being caught for about two months at the DUA artificial reef, which is located less than 10 miles off the barrier islands. This artificial reef would have nothing to offer a big king mackerel at least most of the time. However, since the arrival of the bar jacks a few 40 pound plus king mackerel were caught in this area in the last few weeks.

A few weeks ago while heading out to the Savannah Snapper Banks and about 5 miles offshore, I happen to see a school of something on the surface. I stopped and quickly dropped my gold hook Sabiki rigs. My customers immediately hooked up and reeled in some nice bar jacks. We removed the bait, re-dropped, hooked up, and then as soon they started reeling in something large hit the bait.
Whatever it was hit the bait so fast that it cut the fish in half. The light gold hook Sabiki rig didn’t break. The fisherman reeled in half a baitfish. It was a clean cut, not jagged or ripped. I knew at first notice that it was for sure a serious smoker king mackerel hit.

I could have quickly rigged up and most likely got some serious big fish action. I didn’t…but if I had, I most likely would have hooked up for sure. The reason I am telling you this story is, because this situation would have been great for a big fishhook up opportunity! In other words “fish here for bait and the big boys!” This scenario would be a perfect area to work for a large fishhook up. The reason being is in this case the only thing holding these baits together are those fish on the outskirts, which are most likely big king mackerel!

Lets Talk About Best Rig Used For King Mackerel

As I said earlier, big fish hit big bait with much force. This boils down to light tackle might not get the job done especially at this time of the year when feeding hard is the “NORM!”

Light tackle rigs are used and work well when small baits are used. It has been said as well as proven that king mackerel have keen eyesight. This is a very true statement. However, when a big king gets ready to eat tackle used isn’t what this fish is going to be looking at. The rig used doesn’t need to hinder the baitfish’s natural movement, but it has to be strong enough to survive a direct hit from a large king mackerel’s sharp strong teeth.

My suggestion especially if you have a few large live baits that you might consider use the two different rigging methods meaning one light and one heavy. Believe me if there is a big fish in the area it will let you know for sure. It has always been my father’s and now my personal to go with a big rig with big bait. The largest king that I have ever caught was well over 60 pounds. It was caught on a day old whole Spanish mackerel. When I rigged this bait up I put so many large treble hooks into rig made with 100-pound single strand wire that it was almost embarrassing. However, when that particular bait went into the water I was only looking for a big hook up not a small one for sure! As luck would have it, “we scored and in a big sixty pound way!”

Lets Talk About Big Rig Used

At this point, basically I am talking about a big fish catching situation only! I’m not going to say a smaller fish won’t hit it I’m just saying, “This is the recipe for a big king fish rig when using big running baits!” The only thing I can tell you about rigs, which is about as concrete as it can get is this: It’s up the fisherman to decide which rigs matches the bait use. You have to be practical, because if you aren’t no hits will be received. The best thing I can tell you is that when you select what kind of rig that you are going to use that you go with one that doesn’t over power your bait used.

The bottom line to heavy rigs used is that it doesn’t take too much life out of your bait used. For example: Lets assume that you are using a large 10-inch plus blue runner as bait. This is hardy bait, it lasts a long time, and can carry a large rig for a while. With that being said here’s the rig I suggest:

I like to go with 40 to 60 pound test single strand wire. Some fishermen prefer using coated 7-strand wire, which does work. However, I’m a single strand wire fisherman. As you know back in the old days that’s all we had so we learn how to use it gracefully! The lighter the wire the better, but you need to keep in mind those Smoker King Mackerel Teeth. I like to go with around 40 pounds test in my wire. I take a four-foot piece of wire and make this my leader length. The end attached to the main line can be done several ways: You can use a small but strong swivel or a haywire twist. Both will work. The main thing to remember is to tie main line directly on to the swivel or haywire twist. This means snap swivels shouldn’t be used. You don’t want they big fish for one moment to sway his head to look at this thing called a swivel. If it does your fish might become “foul hooked!”

I use a small 60-pound test swivel, 4 feet of 40 pound test single strand wire, and now for the hooks attached. The first hook should be what is called a live bait hook. These hooks have a short shank, which allows the live bait to still work lively enough. It also doesn’t put too much drag on the bait. I normally use a #4 or #6 live bait hook. When I select a hook to use for any particular fish it has to feel right for me. It’s hard to explain; when I am making rigs I always make some with different size hooks. The reason being on any particular day larger fish might be playing “Cat and Mouse Game.” This is where the big fish looks hard at your bait, hits it, but really doesn’t take it. This is when you have to downsize everything and go back to the standard light tackle rig.

The last hook is called the stinger hook, which what I call the most important one. We do have on board those small extra strong and sharp #4 or #6 treble hooks. They will work. However, when talking about a big fish such as this you need to go with a large treble hook, because you want staying as well as strong holding power. I prefer using a 1/0 or 2/0 regular shank treble hook.

The size baitfish determines the length of wire leader used between the live bait hook and the treble hook. When a big king hits its intended meal it normally takes the back half of the baitfish off, which is normally the fish’s first mouth full. However, the bigger the fish the more it will take on one pass. If the king cuts the bait in half, missing the stinger hook the bait should start to fall in the water column. At this point, you should be ready to do a little free spooling.

The stinger hook should be placed on either side of the baitfish between the dorsal fin and tail section. This way if the fish hits your bait and cuts it in half both pieces with still have a hook in them. As far as drag set, it’s suggested that when you are using larger hooks to set the drag more than you would with smaller hooks. The reason being is that it’s harder to rip the larger hooks from the baitfish than the smaller one. So therefore tighter drags are the norm with large hooks used!

Blue Water Report
Sunday July 20, 2008

Captain Scott Abernathy and crew aboard his boat Dr “Feelgood” took the blue water run this past weekend. Upon their 6:30 AM arrival the Deli Ledge looked plain barren, which is a fisherman’s world is no birds, fish, or rips. As Captain Scott worked the Deli Ledge area he finally found a defined temperature break, which went from 76.9 to 78 degrees. Captain Scott stayed and worked this area for about three hours having some pretty good catching action. They caught 4 dolphins some weighting in at around 25 pounds and three Wahoo averaging 30 pounds each. The dolphin hit naked rigged ballyhoo and the Wahoo hit purple and black rigged Ilanders.

Captain Scott proved by his actions of “staying” that running from one place to the other without giving their decided spot a serious try wastes time and fuel. Even though once arriving the signs were clear “no fish here” he waited it out! I have found especially this year since fuel prices have soared so much that once I make a commitment to fish a certain area that I stick to my plan. Believe this or not, but I have caught more fish and found news spots that I have been basically driving over for years. The bottom line and most of this time so true is that if you stay long enough in one area “something will happen!”

When the top water bite slowed Captain Scott, changed up and started bottom fishing. While fishing in 225 feet his group caught genuine red snapper and porgy. The good news about switching from trolling to bottom fishing is that there is most always some sort of serious rod bending action to be had.

Bait-less At the Stream, “No Worries!”

Lets talk a little about bottom bait used. It’s a known fact that most fishermen that head out to the stream that bottom fishing are the last thing on their mind. However, when the trolling bite slows in the charter boat world you had best be ready to put “plan two into action.” Most of time when I went to the stream with serious trolling customers I didn’t even take any squid. The reason being is that once I caught any fish “I had bait.” Don’t panic I not suggesting for one moment taking a fillet out of your prize catches of dolphin and Wahoo! However, what I am suggesting is to cut the entire stomach wall out. This mean to cut both sides out that are holding the fish’s insides. After all you are not going to eat this section anyway. Once you have remove the guts you have some really nice pieces of stomach wall, which will definitely stay on a hook. All you have to do is to cut this in strips or chunks and sent it to the bottom. It’s tough and it offers up some real natural smells, which brings in lots of attention from those fish lurking on the bottom!

Now don’t panic, I know the next question, what if you haven’t caught anything? The next thing to do is to cut the rigged ballyhoo up in chunks, drop to the bottom, catch a few fish, fillet them, and use them for cut bait. The third question that is going to be asked, “what if you only brought along artificial baits?” The next suggestion is so simple you are going to love. All you have to do is to cut a piece strip out of anyone’s white t-shirt! Believe me when this new bait design is introduced to the bottom something will hit it!

Freshies Report

Large Mouth Bass Catching Tips

For those of you that target this fish all of the time might feel that these suggestions are “Basic Rule of Thumb, because they are!” However, it has been my experience that when it comes to fish catching “the old ways are the best.” The reason being is the old ways are soon forgotten. So here goes some real old suggestions just to keep you singing that same old time tune of “hooked up again!”

When it comes to largemouth bass, feeding can occurs any time during the day or night. However, the most solid as well as frequent times are at daybreak, dusk or during overcast conditions. During sunny conditions large mouth bass prefer staging in the shadows around structure such as banks, vegetation, docks, and similar areas. I bet if we could get them to put on their sunglasses they would feel and act differently in the high sun light conditions! However, until that happens consider these suggestions “text book and confirmed!”

Here’s one more tip: Largemouth bass can be ambush predators, lying in wait for prey to swim by. Poor bluegills spawn several weeks after the largemouth bass. The hatching of the bluegills provides young bass with an abundant supply of food supply! Now you know the rest of the story!

Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!”

Used Car Salesman
Part Three! Many parts to come!

I really did learn a lot from my father in regards to selling a used car. According to by father the best way to sell used cars was not to have so many of them at one time on your lot. However, that was kind of hard to do when you had such a large used car lot. So daddy therefore came up with a plan to open another used car lot on the side. Once he put this plan into gear he could put whatever type of cars on it he wanted. The fact of the matter is according to him the extra lot was to be close to his and either offer cars either much more or less expensive than the ones on his so-called only use car lot!

The bottom line to all of these shenanigans was the fact, according to him, that he didn’t pay that much for the cars in the first place. All cars that he dealt with had to be re titled meaning they really didn’t exist any longer. I guess I should explain that last sentence. I certainly hope I can remember “the just” of what I am going to try to tell you.

Most all cars were basically not repairable, at least to those making this decision, and sold for “parts only!” However, back in the old days according to daddy “lots of parts only from several different cars could make a whole one.” It was possible to order what was called then some sort of savage title for the car in question. Somehow cars that were supposedly “totaled” or were “salvageable only” could be re-titled and sold legally on the used car market. The serial number used was the one that worked. The reason being that it might take several wrecked cars to make a complete one.

The bottom line to all this was the fact that a nice car or many nice cars, no matter how damaged could be put together to make one car. Now that was a mouth full for sure! As I said in one of these used car stories, the purchaser didn’t care, because they were getting a great looking car for 50% of what everyone was paying.

According to my father these cars were very safe, because they were built that way. Heck, according to daddy all he was doing was taking the parts just like they did at the factory and put them back together! I mean you got to love a man with a plan such as this! The best news is this plan worked for years and so did the cars!

Thanks for reading!

Captain Judy