SALTWATER MARCH 2006

“Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956”

POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921

912 897 3460 FAX

www.missjudycharters.com

Saltwater Fishing report

March 20, 2006

Freshies Suggestions

Small or large mouth bass

I got to thinking about it. We have what is called small mouth and large mouth bass. Now I know there are those fishermen out there that do in fact know the difference just by looking which bass is small mouth or large mouth. However, for those that don’t here’s a secret old way to tell without asking any one that might think that you already know. All you need is a straight edge or a ruler, whichever you have at the time, both will work. Take the bass in question, lay it flat; then vertically place the straight edge across the eye letting it extend pass the jaw area. If the upright touches the extremity of the upper jaw it’s a small mouth bass. When it’s a large mouth bass the extremity of upper jaw goes back way beyond the eye. It’s my opinion that the two different mouth designs might have been exactly where the terminology small and large mouth came from in the first place.

Inshore Fishing

Over the past weeks I have touched a little on whiting fishing. Basically all I have been waiting for is a bite of sorts of materialize. Well, my dear fishermen, “it has happened!” The whiting bite was prompted when the water temperature reached the 60-degree mark. I always feel that once it gets to this point “continuous spring bite patterns can expected!” With that being said, Captain Jack had quite a day while just fishing this past week. According to his report he got a chance to fish, catch, and release some fantastic landings. With basic fishing on his mind he took his group on a fact-finding mission.

Captain Jack’s Secret Spot
Captain Jack visited a special spot, which normally had schooling red fish especially at this time of the year. Upon arriving he found what he was looking for, which was schooling, legal size, and aggressive feeding red fish. According to the report, the red fish were happy to hit their bait offerings of small live shrimp. These baits were presented with the aid of a small style float. Small float design such as the “Cajun Popper,” doesn’t make such a big splash upon landing. Ripples caused from a float can send out negative not positive sounds to the red fish. Captain Jack pulled up to his spot quietly while pointing out potential areas to set-cast.

Set-Cast

My father used to do a lot of set casting. His interpretation of set casting was a simple one. After studying the movement of the fish, which are controlled by the pull of the bait he then knew where to set his cast. On some occasions I never understood why he cast to some areas on the flat, because there wasn’t any activity. According to daddy, he had already pre-judge the movement of the fish. Daddy would always watch for a while before he decided on where to toss his bait.

360 Degrees
Captain Jack also being from the old school knows how to put “set casting” into action. His day turned out with good catches on the flat. His next day even proved more interesting. His group just wanted to fish. Captain Jack took a ride down the Bull River where he pulled up to an area called “Pine Log.” This is a most forgotten area by many fishermen. It’s located on the right side of the Bull River just before it dumps into the sound. This is an area that you don’t want to run up on at a fast speed especially when it’s near the low tide stage. It looks like it has plenty of water. However, after taking a more in depth observation you will see that it’s very shallow with a lot of the bottom still be covered slightly (inches) at the low tide stage. This is a great area to take a look-see. Fish move in to feed, push out, stage, and then repeat. All this is done over and over at least until the food supply is altered by fast moving water, muddy conditions, and not enough or too much water. The plan was to drift, which is exactly what they did. For bait they used dead pieces of squid, whole shrimp, shrimp parts, and cut fish. After a few minutes they found a steady whiting bite, which right then and there took the edge of the trip! A bite is a bite “no matter what!” Captain Jack took one of the whiting and cut off the head. He didn’t throw it over, but rather used it for bait. While using what we call the “360-degree fishing plan” he placed his bait offering. The “360-degree fishing plan” is basically fishing from all sides of the boat and in all direction from the intended fish spot. The newly cut fish head brought up the attention of a 41-inch bull red fish. The fine bull red was caught in 15 feet of water. The bull red was released unharmed back to the wild so that it could eat and stage once again!

Warsaw Sound

The whiting regime has moved in and invaded the sand bars if this area. The good news is that this is only the beginning of our 2006 springtime feeding. Some fishermen prefer an out going while other prefers the incoming tide stage. I’m one of those fishermen that like almost low tide to two hours after the turn of the incoming tide stage. The reason being is that I am normally am fishing from a much larger boat. So therefore we anchor near the sand bar and have to cast to get to the feeding zone. Those that fish from smaller boats probably can get a more solid bite even longer. The secret to catching and having a great time is fish with light tackle. I suggest using a small thin sharp hook, only enough weight to hold bait on the bottom, and small pieces of peeled shrimp as bait. Some fishermen use two hooks while other prefer the single hook approach. I like to use two hooks. I always situate them below the weight. It’s important that your bait basically lies on the sandy bottom. Whiting cruise the bottom in search of their intended meal. They love small sand fleas, squid, and shrimp parts. When you hook up a whiting make a mental note of exactly where you caught it, because where there is one there will be more especially at this time of the year.

Here another fish that might find these area interesting especially at this time
While bottom fishing for whiting and you find that you have an extra rod to spare give this a try. Rig yourself up a bottom rig that will keep the bait close or just about on the bottom. Large flounder even though it’s not really considered their time, are in the sounds holding fast. Their bite is very slow. So therefore if you aren’t holding the rod you won’t mess up by setting the hook too quick! Your best chance at getting this doormat fish’s attention is to put two live fish on the bottom. Your bait can be anything from a mud minnow to the finger mullet, which I suggest lip or tail hooking. Flounder love a good feeding quest. When an opportunity comes along where there are two chances to eat they usually take advantage. I suggest being adding a little “bait wise” to your offering. Think about it, if you plan on using two baits I suggest trying one that’s alive and use the other for smell. Another set up to use is two mud minnows or finger mullet. I have to add that a mud minnow is one of a flounder’s favorite meals. The second is the finger mullet. However, there isn’t much to choose from at this time of the year. So therefore any bait will probably work especially if you get it in the strike zone!

Back River Bonanzas

I received a great report from one of our local recreational inshore specialist! They spent a great catching day while fishing the Back River of Tybee Island. They caught quite a few whiting and spots while using dead shrimp as bait. Not only whiting, but they also caught a few black sea bass. They experience their best bait on the falling tide stage! It’s time to get out and fish, because catching is now available! Thanks for the report!

South Carolina Connection

Captain Wally “Sea Wolf”

Captain Wally fished the Beaufort 45 (South Carolina artificial reef) and had a pretty good day catching some nice black sea bass. Once this reef was conquered his customers wanted to get a chance at some bigger fish. So therefore he moved out to the artificial reef Betsy Ross, which is located in about 90 feet of water. He wanted to give deeper water a “big bottom fishing” a try. One of his customers did in fact hook up a large fish, fought it for a few seconds, and back to the reef it went. According to the report, Captain Wally believed it was a red snapper or grouper from the way it acted. Here’s the bottom line to the fishing report. We have been waiting for some kind of sign so that we would know that these fish were visiting the reefs located in 60 plus feet of water. “Now we know so it’s time to go!”

South Carolina Artificial Reefs

“Beaufort 45”
This is a South Carolina artificial reef, which is located in about 45 feet of water. This artificial reef is made up of army tanks, barges, and concrete “Z’s.” Bottom fishing for black sea bass is especially good at this time of the year.

“Betsy Ross”
The Betsy Ross, which is located in about 90 feet of water, is a great place to do all types of fishing from bottom to trolling. This reef is made up a few sunken ships, bridge sections, and New York City Subway cars. These wreck additions make great homes for all types of fish.

Official Reef Buoys Mark Many fishing Possibilities
Most of the South Carolina artificial reefs are marked with a yellow nun buoy with a mast that supports a triangular 3D shaped radar reflector. All artificial reef buoys are placed away from the submerged structure also known as “potential fish motels!” However, you can use the buoy to take a heading to the underwater structure locations on the reef. Not only that, but the buoy usually holds the interest of lots of nervous baits. You best way to catch those nervous baits are to get out your “gold hook rigs!” These live ones make great baits while fishing on the bottom or while surface drift fishing. During the spring cobia and other large fish generally hang around these buoy for shade and the food value. Another good thing to use them for is to ascertain the current direction. This information is especially valuable when planning on drifting the artificial reef areas. It’s good to figure out before you go to these areas exactly where the artificial reef bottom is located in regards to the buoy location. This is especially helpful for those that aren’t so familiar with the use of their GPS. While taking a heading from the buoy in search of the artificial bottom areas, please don’t forget to watch you fish finder. Bottom additions can and do roll around on the ocean floor. Once you locate a newly formed spot like this it’s normally fished by few, but adored by many schooling fish! So therefore it can be your secret fishing spot in which the fish only know about it, “which is a very good catching thing!”

Sail Fish Opportunity
This all started in what I call the “way back era!” However, it’s still going on this day and time. Its just most fishermen don’t know what they are looking at. I am taking about “Green Water Bill Fish possibilities!” The best time to really look for a billfish in green water is during the month of July, August, and September. This is going to be your best months to “keep the billfish stare going!” The reason it mostly these months and not others is a simple one. The reason being is that normally they stay closer to where blue water of the Gulf Stream meets the edge of the western waters. It might sound complicated, but it not. The Gulf Stream runs at a pace of about 3 to 4 knots in a northerly direction most of the time. Where the water from the east or west side of the stream meets makes what we call “the edge!” This is where many fish find lots to eat from small to large. You know the old saying, “where you have fish you have fish!” The waters of the stream are normally warmer than those it meets on either the east or west side. However, during the month of July, August, and September temperatures blend a bit, which takes the edge off or should I say, “out!” Since the edge is like the “feeding place for lots of fish” once is disappears all fish get scattered about. Fish seek the prefect temperature for themselves and for their prey.

Now that you have read my history lesson on my take of the Gulf Stream you already might understand what happens next. After all of the water gets about the same temperature fish of all sizes search for what they think is the best water. This boils down to all waters filling this description. So therefore when all water is about the same temperature the bills and the baits that they chase migrate closer to shore giving all of us a chance at one of these wand waving magnificent fish. The wand is their bill and believe me they do know how to used it. The bill is what they used to stun or should I say, “kill their intended meal!” This is a fish that doesn’t have teeth so therefore it can’t and really doesn’t care to chew its meal up before swallowing it. However, they do want to tenderize it a bit before sending it down the old hatch.

I have seen over the years many billfish “doing their thing.” Here are just few encounters that I thought I would mention:

While heading out to the artificial reef “DUA,” which is about 8 miles offshore and in about 45 feet of water I witnessed an unbelievable sight. From a good distance I watch as Sargasso weed was being tossed in the air. After approaching with caution I noticed a large bill screaming through the weeds throwing clumps of weeds in the air. It was a large Atlantic Sailfish, which was feeding on some of the fish trying to hide in the weed. I immediately rigged up a ballyhoo, trolled it as close as I could, and the sail took to the chase. As soon as he billed it, I released the supposedly stunned bait back to the fish, and the sail gladly picked it up. We counted 1,000, 1001, 1,002, 1,003, and then set the hook. This is just about when it really got exciting. The fish went crazy on us. It starting tail walking, plunging, shaking its head, and then as if it never happened threw the hook right back at us.

There was this other time while trolling for Spanish mackerel that we really got some unplanned excitement. A bill ran through the school of fish while all onboard were watching. We all look we amazement then all eyes were on me. I had to be the one that finally remarked, “No that wasn’t a mackerel sporting a bill, but rather a fine sail fish!”

Savannah Snapper Banks
For those that have been waiting for the “bite up” event from the fish it’s taking place right now. The month of March can and usually is pretty good in the bottom-fishing department. However, unless you get in real deep water such as over 150 feet your big fish bite might be a little slow. The banks as we all know is anywhere to 90 to 110 feet of water. During early March the surface temperature is in that “cold pattern” one day to “warmer” then “cold” again the next day mode. However, once we get to the middle to end of March we start experiencing a more up swing in warming temperature ranges resulting in more ups and than downs. This brings us to exactly where we are right now! As of this report ours as well as your catch opportunities are going to be more than “wants,” but rather actual “gets” in the big fish catching department! Our red snapper as well as our big grouper bite is going to be on the up swing with us getting the opportunity at a more solid hook up. As with any type of fishing you must find out what the big boys are wanting before you can get their attention. My game plan in this big fish sport is to go with live bait or large dead bait.

Live Bait for Big Bottom Fish

Hooked live baits work well when placed on or near the bottom especially when target large red snapper or grouper. It’s a know fact that a hooked or wounded fish sends out distress signal, which are actual “the dinner bell” for a larger fish. I have never figured this one out in regards to the wounded fish routine. However, that a fish’s life! If you want your live bait to “ring a louder dinner bell” just click off a fin or part of a tail. Not only will your bait “ding ding,” louder but it will also swim different offering an easy seemly visual target.

Big dead bait for Big Bottom Fish

I’m not going lie I have always preferred live bait over dead bait when it comes to getting my best shot at a big bottom fish. It just feels right for me. However, when that isn’t possible I go with something dead and bigger than I would use alive. There is a very good reason. Dead bait put out a scent that a lurking hungry fish knows is coming from something that hasn’t being swimming for a while. The first to come will be the smaller fish, which will remove the easy stuff first. The eyes, scales, and fins ends will be the first to go. At this point you still have good bait with lots to offer a big fish. Think about it this way when a live fish is wounded it sends out distress signals. We have proven this over and over again. When small fish feed they unusually do so in numbers, which means lots of signals. Big fish lurk around the out skirts of the areas where fish are feeding. As soon as they get close the small fish move out. Keep in mind the small fish are bringing the big fish to your bait. Once the small fish leave the larger fish move in and guess what they see first? Your bait! Presentation, presentation, presentation!

“Little Miss Judy’s Believe It or Not!”

Keel-Hauling

The definition according to Webster’s dictionary is pretty interesting. It’s reads like this Keel-Haul: to haul an offender under the bottom of a ship an up on the other side as punishment. While the offender (as it is written) is pulled under the boat they are drugged across all those marine barnacles that have made the boat’s bottom there home. Most sailors drowned before they were pulled to the other side. Those that didn’t died from drowning went to their reward from the wounds received while being pulled across the barnacles and oysters that were grown to the ship’s bottom.

Here’s a list of things that a sailor might do, which could get him sentenced to “Keel-hauling!” I only listed the interesting ones: making water on the deck, lousy, gambling, mutinous and seditious conduct, fighting, neglecting the sick, and anything else that might anger the captain!

“Keel Hauling at Warsaw”

By my parents!

During the summer of 1948 my father was drug under the boat by my mother! Now that I have gotten you attention here’s the story or at least how it was told to me. My father was on the bow of his yacht “Miss Jerry,” attempting to throw the anchor. My mother “Jerry” was at the helm watching my father. My mother supposedly hit the throttles by mistake, which threw daddy overboard. While falling his legs became entangled in the anchor rope, which is a very good thing or I might have not been here to pass this story on to you. The boat started moving quickly forward dragging dear old dad under the boat. The good news is that the tangled anchor rope, which was around his legs only allowed him to go so far under the boat. This boils down to the fact he was very close to the turning propeller, but not in it. The story gets a little sketchy at this point. Some say my mother sped up while others onboard said she slowed down. I’m not sure exactly what happened. However, I going with the “she slowed down ending since I here to tell the story!”

Here are all of my lines with several hooks attached!

Captain Judy

“Fish Physic!”

Thank You,
Captain Judy
Miss Judy Charters
912-897-4921
Miss Judy's Charter Information