Captain Judy Savannah Georgia Fishing Report

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   CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
www.missjudycharters.com
fishjudy2@aol.com

Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports

February 8 2010
2010 INSHORE FISHING CLINIC
Captain Judy Helmey Captain Jack McGowan
Our newly revised inshore and offshore handout material is going to be considered "priceless!" 
We are going to give you the best times to fish for what, when, and where for the entire year of 2010. Last Inshore School is February 20, 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!

2010 INSHORE 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 catch 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 you fishing ability at any tide stage.

Rainy day fishing options
Well it’s my opinion that rainy days have their place too in a fisherman’s world. 
It’s where fishermen get to think more about fishing and doing it. And since it’s already February it’s time to start thinking about oiling up the old reels and cleaning out the tackle box. Although when it’s hot outside a little rain really doesn’t matter at all. However, it sure does now when you add the cold factor in. For those that just have to go fish during rainy conditions these are days where the old striped bass rules in the cold water bite department.

It’s time to play tag, Tagging fish, that is!
Captain Alan Collins inshore specialists to Miss Judy Charters "tags fish and a lot of them."  When a fisherman decides to tag and release his or her fish its’ unbelievable how important this move made can be. There is a sequence of good events that are put into place. Captain Alan encourages his customers to tag under and over sized red fish. For those that don’t want to keep any of their fish he also suggests taking the route of tagging their released fish. When a tagged fish is caught the information gathered is "priceless!" 

Here’s what could happen when you catch a fish, tag it, release it, someone else catches it, gets the number off the tag, writes down measurements, estimated weight, and general location, then releases it, someone else catches it, gets the number off the tag, writes down measurements, estimated weight, and etc…This could all happen and while all this reporting is taking place those fishermen involve get in the mail a report of their fish that was caught and released! Pretty interesting stuff! Not only that you on some occasions might get a T-shirt or a cap for this good deed!

Tagging Kit

Photo by Captain Alan Collins

Tagging Kit
Here’s what a blank tagging form looks like. Each tag is numbered matching the sheet that it was attached too. Questions asked are tagging date, release location, (what area did you catch this fish? Example being Wassaw Sound. This is important information so that when the fish is caught again it can be ascertained if the fish has moved and maybe how much traveling it has done.. Coordinates (optional) ask for species (red drum aka red fish tripletail tarpon gives abbreviations at the bottom of page best to use, Other blanks to fill out… length, fish condition, "good, fair, or poor. The next blank asked was hook removed? Yes or no…next fish tagged in/on "boat, land, or water" It also ask for tagging anglers name, address, phone number, and any angler remarks such as if it was red fish how many spots did it have, how many fish you might have spotted, and any information that you care to share Please know that I left this up coming picture of release card large, because I wanted you to see what one looked like. It’s best if you decide to go into the tagging program to study information needed and be ready to act quickly so as to not harm the fish.

Photo by Captain Alan Collins
Here is a form number 42041 that was filled out and submitted in 2009 showing
examples of information needed. 

As of this date this particular red fish has not been recaptured. On April 24, 2009 tag number 41983 (One of Captain Alan Collins
customers Mr. Larry Sandgreen of Edina MN caught, tagged, and released a red fish) was released in the Priests Landings area. When this red fish was released the length was 21.75 inches long. On December 7, 2009 tag number 41983 was recaptured at about the same located as it was previously tagged. The recaptured tagged red fish measured in at 24.25 inches, which boils down to that it grew 2.5 inches longer between Aug 2009 (when it was first tagged and released) till December 200. It had been out in the wild with tag in tow for 227 days. This particular fish stayed where it was released. The only thing we don’t know is distance traveled during this time frame. I don’t know about you, but this is some pretty interesting stuff. It’s time to join the taggers and do some tagging!

Photo by Captain Alan Collins

AJ, Alan Collins Jr, is holding a nice red fish that has not been tagged.

Photo by Captain Alan Collins

Placing the fish tag is simple to do. All you have to do is to load tag in tag applicator, place point under a scale, and then press tag in till the anchor part is buried. Please keep in mind that you must do this a quickly as possible so as not harm the fish.

Photo by Captain Alan Collins

AJ, Alan Collins Jr, is holding the same nice red fish that has been tagged and ready to be released back to the wild. It’s suggested to handle the fish as least as possible and to tag as quickly as possible. You don’t want to keep the fish out of the water too long. Just think about how you feel under the water while not being able to breath and this just might speed you up a bit.

The fact of the matter is if you tag enough of these fish you can’t help, but to get back valuable information on their moving whims. Captain Alan keeps records of all tagged fish and when one is re-captured it’s easy to see whether are not it relocated or basically stayed in the same area. This boils down to real time fish patterns being known sending a quick message of knowing exactly what the fish are doing. According to Captain Alan during this time frame that most red fish don’t move too much. If there is any sort of feeding opportunity and shelter from being eaten from the dolphin they pretty much stay in one area in as shallow water as they can. During this time if the old red fish isn’t where you think they are just move up or down the bank that you are fishing. These fish will normally move slowly up and down the bank staging at certain tides where they feel the safest. Feeding during this time is needed, but this fish’s biggest problem is being eaten not eating.

The best news is if there is a warming trend when the tide stage is low during the mid day period red fish are most likely going to take advantage of it. The reason being is when its low tide the sun warms the mud flats up and this feels good to the fish. Not only that, but it’s to shallow for the dolphin to get to them. The bottom line to this situation is to use it to your fishing advantage! Your best low water to midday possible warming events in this area for the up coming week is February 8-14, 2010.

Captain Alan suggests, When approaching any fishing area that you do so slowly."
Once you have found the fish and they don’t strike at the first bait delivered change up. During cold-water times such as these the red might hit artificial and it might just hit the real deal. It’s just best to be prepared with all baits, because you really never know which one will produce a solid strike.
For those that want more tagging information contact Donna McDowell at GDNR. Her email address is donna.mcdowell@gadnr.org; or you can call 912-262-3146. The
tagging program for red drum (red fish) tarpon and triple is looking for serious fishermen that want to get involved!

Inshore Fishing Naked is in!

Photo by Matt Williams

This is a lipped hooked finger mullet, which is great bait not only for red fish, but also for spotted sea trout and striped bass (rock fish). You can also lip hook a mud minnow just like this, too. The bottom line when fishing during cold-water times is the fact that normally what you use in the live bait department is what a fish wants. It’s just takes them longer to get the job of eating done.

Inshore Logbook Entry Suggestion!
Wednesday February 3, 2010 Low tide 5:11 AM High tide 11:10 AM
There are two very good tides to fish on this particular day. 
Although when you read this, this fish day opportunity will be long gone. However, if you were keeping a logbook this would be a good date to make a note of. The reason being is so that in the future during tide times like this you would have an idea of the best way to get hooked up. On this day we have a low to high in the morning and a high out going this afternoon. Since we are dealing with coldwater temperatures the bite is going to be slight to light. For those fishermen that prefer live bait I suggest using mud minnows or finger mullet lipped hooked with or without a small round split shots of weight. This is called fishing naked at it finest!

Fishing Naked Rig Recipe
As far as the rig design, here’s what I suggest….If you are using (20 to 30 pound test) braided line, which is what I suggest, make a line to line knot and tie on a 18 inch piece of 15 pound test fluorocarbon. Your hook should be small and thin tinned. You can go with a "J" style or Khale, whichever your prefer. Once you have set your leader up and hook is tied on I suggest if you are using a finger mullet as bait that you don’t add a split shot until you try it first. Believe it or not but the weight of this bait itself should be sufficient enough. Now if you are using mud minnows, which are the most used especially during cold times, you might just have to add a small round split shot or two. This added weight helps in the casting department and keeps bait in place. However, in some cases you want your bait to make a move even if it’s a small one. Please remember that I am only suggesting the weight to be used when it necessary. Fishing naked is all about no weight at all allowing your bait to make moves as natural as possible. Another bait that will work is live shrimp. However, it can be hard to find as well as keep alive. This is also a good bait to use when "fishing naked" with this type of rig during cold-water times.

This is just one of the round split shot packages that can be found on the tackle shelves. These are great add ons or should I say, "mash on" weights, which can added quick and then removed just as fast. During these cold water times when the fish bite is slight to light these small weight additions can make all the difference in a hook up or not!

These might look like very small hooks. However, this is one suggestion that can save your fishing day. I suggest always having some small hooks such as this in the old tackle box. These are Eagle Claw 85 size #8 "J" hooks. The bottom line to the suggestion is this, when all else fails smaller hooks and a lighter drag rule in the hook up department especially when cold waters are prevailing. Whatever you do don’t be afraid to use small hooks, because it definitely could make a difference in a hook up or not.

Photo by Captain Judy Helmey

This is the ever-popular place called "Salt Pond," which is located in Wassaw Sound
Savannah Georgia. Spots just like this especially during the cold water times should be approach quietly and always on an incoming tide stage. You can’t see them, but there is a school of stealthy red fish dead center in this picture. This areas or areas like this are places to get your best opportunity at seeing and catching fish.

Red Fish Cold Water Re-Charging Event
Since we have had so much cold temperatures it certainly didn’t shock me to see what I saw. This is one of those fish phenomenons that go on and its so amazing that you don’t even think about trying to pick your camera up for. The reason being is by the time that you do the opportunity for seeing it yourself much less a picture will be gone.

Spotted Sea Trout also known as Mud Babies
I am always talking about how the spotted sea trout when going into their winter time hibernation mode that they basically anchor themselves in the mud. They wiggle on the bottom until suction is accomplished and there they sit. When there is a mid-day warming trend they do release, move about, and do a little feeding. This is where the term mud babies come from when talking about spotted sea trout. You might not see them in the act while on the bottom, but what you will see when catching one is a distinct mud ring around the stomach. This ring could mean a few things: The first that there is some sort of a warming trend prompting the trout to move and feed. Once this is accomplished they might just go back right where they have been holding and do it all over again. Or it could mean that the winter hibernation mode is over and the fish haven’t moved enough to wash the leftover mud slime off they stomachs. In other words "ring around the stomach" in this case could have two meanings.

Red Fish Phenomenon
My father brought this to my attention many years ago. He called it "fish recharging" and I called it fish just playing in the mud. I had always wanted to see this act up close and personal, but I either just miss it or never got close enough to really say, "I saw what I saw!" Well, this time I saw what I my father told me…so I will pass it on to you… 

Red fish up on the flats especially during cold water times isn’t unusual. These fish are there for two solid reasons, which is protection and food. These are two things that we all knew already. However, when a warming trend does occur especially after there have been so many cold-water temperatures in a row, the reds do something a little different.

They actually do sit right on the bottom looking like they are plugged into the mud.
Before you grab your head on this one…wait there is more. 
They do this in cadence, which means the entire school does it at the same time. Since the water is so clear you can see exactly what is going on. When a schools of red fish are in the plugged up mode all will not only be anchored at the same time, but when triggered they will move at the same time. Now I know what you mush be saying, "They do this all of the time when in the stealth mode." However, once you have seen this you will definitely understand.

Here’s what happens: When a school of red fish are semi- suctioned down in the mud and something triggers a quick move all spots where the fish touched an underwater mud storm appears. The bottom line is this if there are 10 fish in the school 10 almost prefect copycat underwater mud storms will appear and you can see them. Now you know the rest of the moving about story!

Inshore/offshore sheepshead bite
I received two very good fishing reports over this past week. The first was the offshore artificial reefs located in around 50 feet of water are still holding a strong winter sheepshead run. The second is the fact that we also have sheepshead feeding around the jetties (rocks) and any sort of structure near the beachfronts. Another suggestion is fishing around or over near shore wrecks. The best bait is "hands down" is the purple back fiddler! The best tides to fish are going to be the stage that offers the least amount of current. Whatever you do don’t forget that net!

Offshore Fishing

Catching Grouper Timing!

Photo by Captain Kathy Brown

Summer of 2009
Gag grouper times two! Sometimes gag grouper travel in schools while other times they travel in pairs…in this case we got both of them! For those of you that want to fish for and get their best chance at catching grouper here are a few suggestions that you might want to keep in mind.

2010 VERMILION SNAPPER SEASON
We also have another seasonal closing, which is the vermilion snapper closure. From November 1 till March 31 this fishery is closed. This means from April 1 till October 31 we can keep this fish. Once again although no one likes regulations this is still a very workable closer. After all when this fishery is open is when we do most of our fishing offshore. Please not the vermilion fishery opens first and then the grouper. So therefore waiting till May 1 to fish the snapper banks would be a good plan.

2010 GROUPER SEASON!
Since we now have a grouper season here is the time frame when you can go to get your best chance at catching grouper. The CLOSED SEASON is January 1 through April 30th. This boils down to that our OPEN SEASON is from May 1 to December 31 to fish for grouper. This isn’t bad news this is good news. The reason being is this is when we normally catch these fish in most situations. There is even more good news in the catching world everything from bottom to top water fish will be in the "BITE ON MODE!" So therefore I suggest either making your fishing plans with me at Miss Judy Charters (912 897 4921or email fishjudy2@aol.com) or thinking about your own planned trip. At this time we have plenty of good fish dates still open!

Top water fishing at the snapper banks
Top water fishing could turn on at the snapper banks before this time. So therefore if this happens and you want to troll this area this would be a good fish plan!

Blue Water Fishing Facts

Locating Fish

Photo by Captain Judy Helmey

This is a close up picture of what I call a "round up." Some fishermen call this a bait ball and I am sure there are other names for it also. In the bottom left hand side of this picture there is a large fish staging a quick feeding event.

The school of bait, which is the dark spot in the middle of this picture, are tightly school together. They are all moving in one circular direction with the hopes that they will appear to be one large threatening fish. The more intense this though pattern gets in regard to those in the school the tighter the spot will get. I have seen round ups many times before while fishing. The seriousness of the bait thought pattern could be ascertained by the speed in which they are traveling in a circular motion. I have seen the baitfish swimming so fast that the water in the middle of the school turns into a whirlpool in which you can see down into. The reason that the school of fish is schooling in this fashion is due to the fact that there are larger fish in the outskirts basically rounding them up. With that being said, "There are two thoughts patterns taking place with this occurrence." The first is the fish schooling up and the second is those fish on the outskirts. I have learned over the years that most of the time the baitfish that are schooling up are most likely all the same kind of fish. However, those fish on the outskirts can be anything from dolphin (mammals) to dolphin fish to Wahoo to billfish to tuna to sharks. The bottom line is this when this sort of phenomenon is going on it’s your
sign to fish here.

How to get the best out of fishing a round up..
First before I get started on how to fish such a great find, let me congratulate you for finding it in the first place. Lets assume you have made such a find. (Whatever you do try to get a picture, because not only can you show it off you can study it!) The first thing to do is to hold back and watch to see where the feeding on the outskirts by the larger fish, if any, is taking place. If possible try to stay down current and down wind of this find.

You might not can see the larger fish, but believe me they are there. The reason I know this for sure is the fact that the baitfish wouldn’t be schooling up like this unless the larger fish were holding in the outskirts. If you don’t see them feeding it means that the large fish have fed and now they are holding the round up for their next feeding event. This the only situations that I have seen all types of large fish work together. From the ones with bills to those with teeth they all work together keeping a school of fish at bay.

Let assume that you have seen not a thing on the out skirts. Don’t worry the large fish there. Here’s a good plan to go to. First keep the depth that you are dealing with. Most of these bait fish are most likely less than 25 feet under the surface. So even if you are in 200 feet of water you still are only going to be working the upper water column. I suggest setting out surface pulled baits in tow behind birds, aliens type lures, and jets types meaning those that leave a trail. I would consider putting out an Ilander rigged up with ballyhoo. This is going to be that line that always gets hit that’s going to take the longer to retrieve. The reason being is that it’s way, way, and way back! With this type of set up "hits and hooks up should happen!"

What not to do..
Whatever you do don’t pull your lures through the round up, because if you do this could break up all patterns in place. There is an intense pattern holding not only the baits, but the larger fish on the outskirts. Any close pull by or through this area just break up your target rich environment. Please think about your moves made before doing them.

The good news…
Once you are hooked up the fish on the end of your line is going to run away from the fished area. The reason being is now that it’s the one putting off the distress signals it just might be prey upon by the same fish that it was just working with. Bringing to light it truly is a fish is fish world!

Freshies Report
Best used lures for bass in the grass!
Bill Vanderford is "Lake Lanier’s Legend!"
My long time friend Bill Vanderford had sent me some of his most wonderful pictures! With that being said, "You will be seeing them in my up coming weekly Freshies Report!" This means my "Freshies Report" is "Stepping up" and offering some real time serious value! For those readers out there that would like to know more about Bill Vanderford’s accomplishments, his freshwater charter trips or wildlife tours, books written and his special line up of tackle offered, please visit his site
http://www.fishinglanier.com/contact.html for all the details!

Photo by Bill Vanderford
Lures for bass in the weeds…It’s funny, but even though a fish doesn’t have legs they sure feed like they do!

Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!

American-Water Ski Association

For those that don’t know I was a darn good water skier. In fact I could say, "If I hadn’t decided to fish for a living I could have done so by becoming a professional water skier! I started water skiing at a very young age. I just love a boat that would pull me out of the water and up onto a pair of skis. From the time I can remember I have always had a boat of my own. The first boats that daddy brought me were great that is, until I found out about water skiing. From the ages of 6 to about 10 years old I had what I called slow boats meaning not over 10 knots. However, this speed didn’t stops us children from learning how to be pulled behind a boat. Heck, at 10 knots you could ride an inner tube or a large "stop sign." Before you go thinking that my father purchased one of those store brought drag behind the boat inner tubes that didn’t happen. Although I am sure if there was such a thing then I would have had one. My father always tried to get me the latest and greatest when it came to water sports. Back in the old days water tubes were actually black thick rubber tubes that were originally in tires. Now in my case since part of our family was in the farming business some of the inner tubes came from big tractor tires. And let me tell you this "they made a big hit with all of us children, because four of us could ride at a time!"

Back in the previous paragraph I mentioned a "stop sign" as one of the things that we rode on behind the boat. The yesteryear "stop signs" during this time era were octagon in shape and were made from sanded down ½ to ¾ inch plywood. They were yellow in color and had big black letters, which read, "STOP!" My father always suggested removing the "STOP" lettering off the board. However, he never suggested that we paint the yellow board another color. I always wondered what difference it would make anyhow. I never thought about getting caught as we removed the sign time after time at the corner or highway 80 and Wilmington Island Road. As time went on and the traffic got heavier we started taking the stop signs off the streets on the back of the island. There was hardly any traffic there. And as far as policemen not only did we not think about them we never even saw one either.

What I remember about water skiing…
Water skiing was an amazing thing to do. All you had to do was hang on the ski rope and let the boat pull you up out of the water. However, it was most important that you try and keep your ski or skis on. Heck, after we figured all this out it was only a matter of time before those things seemed boring. So we starting skiing on boat paddles, banana peel tricksters, bare footing, skiing on ski shoes, whop boards, and anything that we though we would try to throw us off. Heck, I even remember one time that we mounted forward cup from a ski to a boat paddle. The cup helped keep our foot from slipping off. It didn’t take us long before the cup wasn’t needed either. So therefore for those that watched the children skiing a show is exactly what they would get and we all knew it.

I remember this one time that we tied the whop board to the ski rope so that it would skid along the surface as we rode of top. The driver of the boat would go in a circle slinging us those on the board way out to the side. Here’s the funny thing sometimes those on riding the board would be ahead of the boat pulling them. I remember it being better than any old fair ride. Then we decided that since we had the board tied to the rope and it just cruised along maybe we should try something else. So we got a stepladder, put it on the board, climbed to the top of the ladder, and basically set on the very top step. All this ladder climbing was taking place while clipping along at around 15 knots. As you can see all those watching got a show every day!

Our Daily Audience
There was this one dock on Turner’s creek that always had a crowd. There was this long bench set that went the entire length of the stationary dock. It was always lined with lots of people talking, drinking, and cheering us on. This was our cheering section and there seemed to always be lot of watching interest. Before it was over while practicing for what could have been a skiing career I fractured ribs, pulled mussels, and had some pretty interest head butts with flying skis and those on them! Out of the ordeal I learned how to ski backwards, sideways, on one ski and with no skis. My father didn’t like me to barefoot, because he was worried about me hitting something with my feet. When you are a kid danger never seems to be a factor in anything that you do! As you know I did survive all of this. I know that I could still ski today and would be very good at it. However, lots of traction might be involved afterward. I think for now I will just think about it and not do it! As you can see I had a wonderful father and a great childhood! I am so glad that my memory still allows me to relive it any time I want to! Skiing in my mind is my though for today!

Thanks for reading!
Captain Judy
www.missjudycharters.com

Edited by Captain Judy - 07/Feb/2010 at 2:37pm