OFFSHORE JAN 2006

Inshore Fishing

Captain Frank Cullum reported that he has catching a lot of spotted sea trout while using the ever-popular YOZURI “S” minnow as his artificial bait. He has been finding them holding around docks and drop offs. According to the report the bite pattern has been best on the on the out going tide stage.

During this time of the year especially after the dropping of the water temperature spotted sea trout seem to be the first to take to their deep holes. Throughout the years it has been proven that once the water temperature stays below the 55 degrees mark this is one fish that “turns on” it’s natural hibernation mode. Trout go where they can lounge, which means they don’t need as much food to survive. These holes that I am talking about can be found almost anywhere in the scheme of a slough, creek, river, or sound. The secret is to pick the deepest spot of the area that you are fishing. This is normally where not only trout but also other fish look to hibernate together.

In the past long before we had the option of purchasing live shrimp we used these areas to provide us with much needed live bait. During the cold times all types of marine life use these deep holes as a safe have. Upon throwing a cast net a few times we normally had all the bait that we needed. I’m not suggesting targeting trout where you cast, but just to keep that suggestion is mind. I have caught finger mullet, menhaden, whiting, shrimp (large and small) and blue fish while casting a net in these areas.

Rupert Stroll

My old friend “Rupert Heller” taught me this winter trout trick. I later named it the “Rupert Stroll.” During the cold months spotted sea trout take to their select deep holes. Keep in mind that this is a fish that during its lifetime doesn’t migrate too far. So therefore where you found the trout last year or the year before is a great place to start looking. The Rupert Stroll went something like this. You best boat positioning is going to be anchoring a little up current and adjacent to the hole. At this point it’s time to do a little pitching and strolling. Rupert most prized saying, especially during this time of year is, “the only way to get a trout to eat is to knock it on top of the head with your bait!”

The case of the Missing tooth!

The “Rupert” went fishing this past week and had a really good catching day. According to the report he found his deep hole, did the stroll, and caught about 10 nice trout. Seven out of the ten were in the 13 to 14 inch range with the latter three being a much larger size. The crew kept the three nice trout for supper. He did want to report this one thing that he noticed. When he netted the fish he noticed that one of the trout only had one front tooth. As you know there is supposed to be more than one. Trout are known for their “killing mouth design.” However, it certainly does take more than one tooth to do all of this killing properly. At any rate, after noticing he starting checking, which was the last three trout caught. All had one tooth missing. We talked about it and both concurred that we would have to think about it. Well, I have and this is my take on the missing teeth: All fish in the hole are trying to kill the same old small life like stone that looks like a fish! That’s all I have to say about that! Please send any thoughts that you have!!!

For bait he was using the old stand by “Electric Chicken” screw tail with a pink ¼ ounce jig head. The bait was attached to his most popular ultra light rod reel outfit, which was loaded with 6-pound test line. I must say, before I go on about Rupert’s tackle, “absolutely none of his tackle that he uses is stand by/right off the shelf stuff, he tweaks it all.” It’s actually customized! I know this for a fact, because I have fished with him before. During this time of the year especially if you want to catch trout, when it’s cold, while the trout are in the hibernation mode, and when they aren’t feeding it’s necessary to “go with the light ultra light tackle!” I will be showing some of Rupert’s tweaked tackle off as well as much more tackle styles at my (Captain Judy) inshore fishing school on January 21, 2006 at Tubby’s Tank House. I still have a few spots left. (Give us a call at 912 897 4921 to sign up)

Fishing for Striped Bass AKA the old rock fish

It’s a good time to give this fishery a try. You might as well it’s one of those fish that loves high winds, cloudy sky conditions, fast moving water, and lives for those cold-water temperatures. This is a great fishery to choose especially when those conditions that I have listed come to past. If these fish don’t show there will be still time to change up and target the winter spot tail bass and spotted sea trout.

Here’s a great striped bass scenario.

Let’s assume all weather conditions are apropos meaning that the striped AKA rock bass should be on the feeding mode especially at this time of the year. There are two main areas that hold this fish’s attention, which are the Savannah River and the Ogeechee River. Make your choice of the two areas and then get the old chart out. Your best bait is going to be anything from the real thing to surfacing pull artificial stuff. If you are planning on the moving game of trolling I suggest pulling both surface and deep style lures. I do suggest that the lures pulled fall into the 6 to 8 inch length. When trolling I suggest giving the area picked a good work over before moving on. It has been proven that some bass prefer feeding with or against the current. This boils down to trolling with and against the current before making a change up to a different area.

When making a decision to anchor and float or cast your bait offerings to the fish I suggest looking for areas, which provides shelter for bait. Striped bass are great ambushers! It’s always good to keep your eyes to the sky, because the presents of birds can tell you a great story. If the birds are hovering and not feeding this means that you have bait, but it’s not at their beak’s reach. However, where you have birds in waiting you can count on this equation: “Bird hovering means bait on the scene. Birds diving means the under world is pushing and feeding.” It’s time to be a bird watcher!

Georgia’s Artificial Reefs

It’s that time of the year where it’s definitely a short ride to the fish. We have been fishing at the artificial reef “KC Buoy” most of the week. It’s a simple time of the year all you need for bait is a little squid and cut fish. You best rig to use is going to be two-hook bottom style with 2/0 to 4/0 hooks. For those that want to got with lighter tackle I suggest using a 2 ounce slip sinker, tie on a swivel, add a 18 inch leader, and tie on a small 2/0 hook. With this rig you can go with the artificial lures such as the Berkley Gulp styles. We have found that the “New Penny” style in both the crawfish and crab pattern works the best. You don’t have to use the crawfish pattern whole you can cut them up making the pack last three times as long.

South Carolina’s Artificial Reefs
Eagles Nest and Betsy Ross

Hooked Up Blue Fin Tuna

This is unconfirmed, which means I didn’t see it with my own eyes, but a blue fin tuna supposedly was landed this past week. The fish was allegedly caught while trolling South Carolina’s offshore artificial reefs Eagles Nest and Betsy Ross area. According to sources the fish would have tipped the scales to about 250 pounds. The fish was caught after daylight, but before noontime. It hit a rigged ballyhoo. At this time I can’t say whether the horse ballyhoo was pulled with an Ilander lure or not! Congratulations to the crew on the your 2005 blue fin hook up!

Captain Ed and Robin!

The fishing team of Capt. Ed and Robin Stabell had an interesting day this past week while fishing the artificial reef “J Buoy.” According to the report they had on some real big takers. Captain Ed and Robin’s hooked fish were so big and strong that they couldn’t get them close enough to the boat to make a proper identification. According to the report received the first fish hooked almost took Robin on a barefoot skiing event. However, even with quick thinking of loosening the drag Robin’s reel was still spooled to the point stage of “Melt Down!” After taking with Captain Ed we both realized that these fish were probably blue fin tuna.

The Tuna Reason Being!

This is a fish that changes its normal feeding patterns especially during migration time. Tuna are known for being school motivated in every way. Normally while in the feeding department they do so with the school, but sometimes while on the migration path they take up a different feeding pattern. I talked with Sammie Peters (Release Marine) and he shared some real interesting information with me. Sammie participated in a blue find tuna tagging program, in the late nineties, that gave all involved a chance to track the doings of this magnificent fish. After quickly tagging over 12 fish they began their quest for finding out some blue fin tuna feeding knowledge. According to Sammie these fish had a definite plan once released. They first assumed intention was to speed their way to some sort of a wreck, which as you know always holds baitfish. All fish took about the same track to near and far wrecks while holding for minutes in some cases hours in these areas.

With that being said, it seems that Captain Ed might have found such a tuna holding scenario. He had all the right indications. He marked large single fish holding around a wreck. After hooking up a fish that he couldn’t do anything with the broken off fish or fishes still held in the same area. While watching, loosing most of his line, and burning up some of their reels he noticed a few things on the surface. There were large areas of oily slicks, which were being watched by many hovering birds. When the underworld feeds the birds go into a surface-diving-feeding pattern. Not only that, but there was a brief sightings of some large colorful fish near the surface! I called this without a doubt “fish with lights,” which means that were feeding and enjoying the sport of the chase. Fish that sport a skin instead of scales always light up when in the feeding mode! Congratulations to the fishing team of Captain Ed and Robin!

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

Running Naked

My father always told me that Warsaw Island was the only beach that he knew of that you could legally run around and sun in the nude! Please don’t try this without checking out the current rules and regulations!

Here’s My Line Now Bite My Hook!

Captain Judy Helmey

Thank You,
Captain Judy
Miss Judy Charters
912-897-4921
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