Captain Katy Brown of Miss Judy Charters is holding up a nice scamp grouper, which was caught at one of my secret grouper holes.  This fish inhaled a large scup, which was lipped hooked on a 14/0 circle hook.  The grouper hit the bait and then made way swimming as close to the bottom with hopes that it could get back to the safety of the ledge.  However, as you can see this did not happen!!! 

Recreational Fishing Alliance

POB 98263

Washington, DC 20077-7581

Call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit

When the water is bouncing between 51 to 55 degrees the old spotted sea trout’s feeding habits seem like they might just shut down.   The bottom line is they most likely do stop feeding and do more hibernating.  However, if you basically hit them on the head with your bait they might just hit it.  The secret is to cast to designated fishing spot, let your bait fall to the bottom, wait, and then start a very slow retrieve.  Most of the trout that are being caught have been done so in 10 feet plus feet of water.   The best suggest that I can offer is that you have lots of patience’s!!

Cold Water Red Fish Bites can happen!

Red fish lurking!  You might not be able to see them, but they are there.  If you want to make sure that you got fish, “just stomp your feet on the deck!”   This action will make fish swirls happen!  However, after this move you are going to have to wait for the schools of red fish to settle down before they start feeding again.  It’s your call! 

I know you know that the water is cold.  However, the red fish still has to move and eat.  With that being said, “It’s time to put on your warm clothes and give this type of fishing a try!”  During this time the red fish is doing it’s best to stay clear of the hungry dolphins that are trying to make them meals.  In order to survive the red fish “goes stealth!”  With that being said, “Fishermen as well as the bait that they use needs to be stealth too!”  There are good and bad noises.  Good noise is a fish jumping and landing in the water.  Bad noise is the radio playing, the dropping of the anchor on the deck , or splashing in the water.  To combat bad noises cut the radio off and handle the anchor carefully placing in the water gently.  

Bait that has worked this week has been mullet cut just like a loaf of bread.  (See photo below) The best mullet used is the older the better.  Fresh mullet works also, but if you don’t have this get the old smelly stuff out of the freezer.  It works quite well!  Some fishermen put this bait directly on the bottom allowing the smelly scent bring in the red fish.  Some place under a small adjustable float, which allows you to place your bait at a certain depth.  The bait placed right on the bottom and left to sit was the hit this past week. 

This is a great bait situation to use for getting the attentions of cold water red fish.  This is a piece of loaf cut mullet, which has been seasoned, first before being used as bait.  To cut a piece of fish like this simply cut the mullet up like a loaf of bread.  To season the bait, cut it up, and let it sit out in the sun and air dry.  This seals the juices and once put on the hook and placed back in the water serious red fish attracting smells just happen!  I call this “bait in the re-paginating mode!”

Artificial reefs

Lots of rod bending action to be had!

Nice Sheepshead at the artificial reefs

These are great places to fish, catch, and keep!

These are areas where a fisherman can catch a lot and keep some too!!

The keeping and release line up is quite interesting!

Releasing Only Section

Trophy red fish and black sea bass are the main fish that are caught in these areas that have to be released. 

Keeping Section

(But don’t forget about size limits)

Sheepshead and black drum have to be at least 10 inch fork length to keep and they have a bag limit of 15 per fishermen.  Here are a few suggestions in regards to the Sheepshead/black drum.  I suggest only keeping them if they are over 15 inches fork length.  The reason being is you don’t get much meat off a 10 inch fork length Sheepshead or black drum.  You can keep up to 15 Sheepshead/black drum for each fisherman.  However, if you don’t plan on eating them or giving them away to those that really want them, please release for another fish day. 

Weak fish also known as summer trout are also caught while fishing the artificial reefs especially during cold water times.  Weak fish have to be 13 inches tail length and have a bag limit of 1 per person. 

Flounder is another fish that just might bite you hook during this time.  The flounder has to be 12 inches tail length and has a bag limit of 15 per fishermen. Most of the flounder caught are a nice doormat size, which means you are most likely are going to have to use a net to land it. 

Cold water sharks sometimes referred to as spiny dogfish are also feeding around the artificial reefs during this time.  We catch smooth and spiny dog fish.  They have to be at least 30 inches fork length to keep.  It is my opinion, that yes these sharks are good to eat if clean properly and are big enough to keep.  However, over the years I have seen a decrease in populations of these sharks and my thoughts are to release as soon a possible.

Blue fish are also known for schooling especially during these cold water times around the artificial reefs.  The blue fish has to be 12 inches fork length to keep and has a bag limit of 15 per fishermen.   The mere mention of blue fish on some occasions will turn a fisherman’s nose so high up that I wonder sometimes if they won’t get a nose bleed.  The bottom line to almost all fish that you catch this morning and eat tonight is that they are so very good.  The secret to the old blue fish is if you keep it, is to gut immediately.  For those that don’t know the so called blood line disappears. 

As I am writing about these current regulations could be changing.  Please always check regulation before going fishing no matter what!!

Savannah Snapper Banks

I am not saying don’t go, but before you do please make sure in regards to current regulations.  Please go to: 

E TA SEA Fishing Team 

Yes it’s considered off season for us blue water fishermen.   However, it becoming more and more clear that this time of the year does offer some unbelievable blue water action.    I have gotten blue water reports after blue water reports of fishermen catching all sort of fish while trolling the blue waters of the stream.  And you know the old saying, “if you don’t go you won’t know!”  Well, it still stands!  If you do go please send pictures, because I would live to have them!

Please always check predicted weather conditions before heading out!

Providing

My father’s place “Helmey’s Garage,” which was located in downtown Savannah was known for handling the toughest as well as the most unusual automotive jobs.  From bricks picked up at job sites to felt purchased at the local hat store to leather purchased from a downtown cobbler to who knows what else and from where!

“Modified Bricks!”

Way back in the good old days and before he started his career into the fishing world my father was known as   “Great Mechanic.”  In the old days you just didn’t plug a car into the old computer to ascertain what the problem was.  You had to first find the problem and then figure out how to fix it.  Not only that, but most parts were never on hand or they might have not been invented as of yet.  Not matter what there was usually something to order. This situation could add weeks, which could turn into to months before you could get your car fixed.  My father according to sources was the man that could take weeks or maybe months out of your car or truck repair time.  

Back in the thirty’s, my father’s car/truck repair service was pretty big and he handled most of the delivery trucks in Savannah areas.  When the drivers were having trouble they would just stop by to either drop the truck off or to talk about there trucking woes.  This one driver stopped by to complain that his truck would not idle on its own. His problem was that when he stopped to make a quick delivery his truck would not idle on its own.   It would always stall out on him.  Back in the old days, batteries were not made for “continues cranking.”   In fact if the trucks or cars just started on the first try in the morning it was said to be a genuine miracle. 

My father asked, “Are you leaving your truck with us?” The driver replied, “Yes, how long do you think it will take to fix it?”  My father scratched his head and said, “Come by after lunch.”  My father according to the story basically started his own personal ritual of checking the truck out.  

After lunch the driver stopped by to check on his truck.  My father quickly told him that it was ready and handed the driver part of a brick.  The driver took it with a puzzled look. My father explained, “When you stop to make a delivery simply put this brick on your accelerator.” The driver didn’t think much about it as far as he was concerned his delivery troubles were over. Daddy was known for his unusual tactics when addressing mechanical problems that drivers had.

As I got this story straight from the driver’s mouth I had to ask about that old brick.  The brick wasn’t whole but instead modified.  He had simply whacked off a couple of inches off the brick’s length.  Daddy’s reasoning for this was that no matter what part of the accelerator you set the brick on it would hold the truck at the correct idling RPM only.  All I can say, “Teleology in the thirties seems simple to us, but you can’t argue with the fact that it worked!”

Thanks for reading!  Captain Judy

Captain Judy Helmey