SALTWATER MAY 2008

May 19, 2008

Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore

Inshore Suggestions
Trolling and Strolling Time of the year!

With fish making way especially at this time you really never actually know where they might be staging unless you look or you have been fishing everyday. Even those that fish everyday have trouble keeping up with the slippery things. All fish move with the food supply. Once finding it they either round it up or chase it down, which means making a move. With all of this being said, “looking could be in your future.”

Trolling light tackle down the edge of a bank is going to be the number one way to find fish quicker. I’m not saying, “it’s the only way, but it certainly will get the job done!” Trolling is best during the mid to high tide stage. During this time you will get the best chance to trolling baits closest to the “strike zone!” In other words, pick areas to pull your baits where you have pilings and covered over oyster rakes. As soon as you get a hit I suggest doing several things that is after you land that hooked up fish. Firstly you have the option of making a mental note and to keep on moving. Or stopping right then, anchoring, and then pitching to said holding spot. Either of these options will work as long as what you do doesn’t disturb the fish’s-feeding pattern. Another way to attack this scenario is to head directly away and into the deepest part of the place that you are fishing. I don’t suggest changing your engine RPM’s or your trolling motor’s movement. The main thing that I am getting at is you don’t want to disturb the “staging of the fish.” If you pull away and them approach from the same direction as before you can successfully quietly anchor and float your bait quietly into the staging area. This is the best suggestion especially when you wanting to use popping of traditional float rigs.

Another way to attack this situation is to basically “shut down” and form up a drifting and pitching pattern. As long as all of this is done in the “quiet mode” the fish catching zone should be all yours. If none of these suggestions “appeal to your fishing fancy” I suggest “keep moving!” Heck, if there are fish in one spot I can assure you that there are probably more down the line! The rule of thumb when your find yourself in this situation is to make notes in your fishing logbook. You think that you will remember, but you probably won’t! As time goes on you will find out the hard way that “memory sometimes doesn’t serve you!”

Inshore Fishing
“Just Go Float-less!”

The tides were unusually high with strong currents, which made fishing tough. Our inshore as well as our offshore captains struggled to get the bait to the fish this past week. Since the water was fast moving and dirty our captain worked with what they had to deal with. Now the bottom line to this scenario is the fact that fish have to eat no matter what! So therefore these conditions are definitely “fishable!” It’s just you need to make a few changes in regards to you attack mode.

Firstly, lets address the usage of corks or should I say, “traditional floats and popping corks!” There have been several reports especially in the last couple of weeks by the serious fishermen that are saying, “just go float-less!” With that being said, “let me offer up some suggestions.” Lets address the traditional float rigs first.

The traditional float rig for those that don’t know are those that allow us to adjust the depth of our bait fast and simple. All we have to do is to move the “nail knot” up or down allowing us the comfort of “bait depth adjustability! This is great, because it’s a quick fix to keeping your bait in the strike zone. However, the float scene hasn’t been offering much in the way of catching this pass few weeks. Some captains are just saying “no to floats” and basically are removing them. This set up is simple to make and even simpler to use. All we do is to remove the float and tie on an appropriate trout sinker/weight. To the sinker they are tying on an 18 to 30 inch leader to which they tie the hook.

The best way to decide which size weight to use is to base it on the amount of current that you are dealing with. This is where I suggest having an array of different sizes in your tackle box. It’s also good to match the main line to the sinker used. You don’t want over kill on either end of you set up. In other words if you are using less than ten pound test main line you really aren’t going to need to use more than ¼ to ½ ounce weight. You certainly don’t want to use ¾ weight because that would be over kill for sure! The heavier the main line the more “water drag” you are going to experience. So therefore adjust according!

The leader should be somewhere around 15 pound test line. Once again it could be lighter test especially if you find you are not getting hits. I always suggest using fluorocarbon leader material, because of its great disappearing act and for the abrasion resistance factor. However, regular monofilament line will work in some cases just as well. I know I have said this before and probably will do so again. Special leader material hasn’t been around that long so therefore the regular stuff has worked many years before this new style leader inventions. The bottom line when not choosing to go with fluorocarbon material is to check your leader real good after every hit or hook up. An easy way to perform this task is to basically pull the leader through your finger slowly feeling for any “nicks or burns.” Also don’t forget to check both ties, which are located at the base of the sinker and the hook’s eye. These are considered very weak points once tugged on and brushed across any sort of structure. The hook used should be one that you are familiar with such as a Kale hook or even a stand “J” style. The Kale has been the best to use, but as I said it’s up to you. It’s important that the hook used doesn’t over power your bait’s natural performance.

With all this being said about tackle size I would like to put my two-cents worth in this fish catching pot! Firstly I would like to say “the lighter the leader the bigger the fish!’ Now I use this phase another way so don’t get confused. I also say “the lighter the leader the clearer the water.” This last statement means that when fishing in real clear water you should lighten up to test leader used. The reason being is if you don’t you intended fish will spend most of its time looking at the leader and not your hook up bait.

Now the statement “the lighter the leader the bigger the fish” has an entirely different meaning. In all the years that I have fished it seems that the larger fish always hits the smallest bait. Now it can almost always be assumed that the smallest bait is rigged on the small leader configuration. (Another mouth full!) It’s my opinion that a fish especially a large one didn’t get that way being stupid. So therefore this boils down to the fact that they actually “look before they leap!” This brings me back to “the lighter the leader the bigger the fish!”

I must reel myself back in! Now lets talk about “popping corks!” As you know this cork when popped imitates the sound of a fleeing shrimp, which prompts the fish to attack quicker. In other words, they hear this “real life like noise,” and it brings the fish to the bait. This is a great fish attracting invention and it normally works with great results. However, this application hasn’t been working in the last few weeks. Now I am not suggesting for one moment that you dump all of your popping corks. I am just going to offer up a temporary change in your fishing design. Get out the old “moth balls and pack them up” at least for a while!

Looking for fish in all the right places!
Story of how to catch a cobia with a shark! It’s definitely not what you think!

The navigational aids that line the channel that helps to show you the way to the ocean can be very interesting especially in the “catching arena!” These areas provide surfaces for marine growth, which brings on the hungry attentions of small fish. Now that I have set the stage here’s how you can use this to your catching advantage. Firstly, let me mention that all or any of these buoys could be holding the attentions of fish especially at this time. The best way to attack this situation is to first always approach with caution. Not all fish will get alerted or even be aware of your presents. As a matter of fact some fish such as the cobia sometimes will come straight to your boat. In their case they are leaving one shade for another, which in this case is your boat. Cobia is known for hanging under anything from metal to wood to the real thing. Buoys are anchored and floating objects are pushed by the current are great places that could hold the attentions of this fish. You know the old saying, “never leave a stone unturned.” Well in this case it’s not stones we are talking about, because they basically sink! However, I do think that you get the picture. Another good place to look is around any surface holding sea turtle, whale shark, or large manta rays. Cobia loves to go with the flow of these beautiful sea creatures.

Small bait that seeks out buoys, debris, and any sort of moving so called shelter for protection. The fact of the matter is that they feel safe holding close to these things. Large fish know this so therefore they use this situation it to their advantage. I have seen on many occasion all sizes of fish hanging together. I call it “harmony in step” within the reef or moving object. However, if one of the participates get hungry or nervous the mood change is instant. Since this article is about cobia and it’s the season to target this fish I would like to share with you this little story.

While fishing in clear waters south of this area several things caught my attention in regards to the real food chain. The chain that I am talking about is “fish eating fish eating fish!” As I watched this unfolded: We were targeting sharks so that we could get the best shot at a cobia also known as a lemon or ling fish. We had to bring the sharks in tight to our boat, because during this time the cobias follow the sharks. The sharks have a buffet of small to large size fish such as pilot sharks also call remora’s holding and swimming with them. The fact of the matter is that those not attached make the same motions as the shark that they are following kind of like birds flying in a pattern. When a shark approached normally a few cobia would be right in step with the shark. The shark is one of those feeders that rip and pulls apart it intended meal. When this act takes place there are lots of floating leftovers in which to suck up quickly. So therefore sharks are popular for this reason. As long as the fish following only eat while the shark is feeding there is not a problem. However, if the fish following decide to strike out on there own “feeding frenzies of the wrong kind get started.”

With that being said, if a cobia takes any sort of bait offering that you pitch to them the demeanor of the holding pattern of the shark changes immediately. What was just a shark follower becomes a potential meal for the “toothy one!” For the sake of getting on with this story lets assume shark came to the boat with several cobia in so-called tow. You made your cast and one of the cobia took you up on your bait offering. As soon as the cobia was hooked up fear and panic started sending out distress signals, which the shark immediately homes in on waves produce. After all it’s their job! As long as you don’t put any pressure on the fish it actually stays right with the shark. However, any real strong tighten of your reel’s drag is going to result in a quick send out of distress to the shark. The absolute only way to land your hooked fish at this point is to “gingerly crab” your line in to the boat. As long as you proceed with this pattern the shark won’t eat your fish! The bottom line is that if you are looking for a fight in this case it’s not happening here! We held the fish at bay as the shark continued on it “meandering way!”

Artificial reefs
Less 50 feet
For those of you that just want to do a little bottom fishing as well as releasing now is the time for this practice run. The bottom fishing incurred will consist of many small fish with an occasional few keepers. However, there is lot of actions to be had especially when using ultra light tackle and small jigs…All you have to do is to drop them and pop them! The end results will be ‘fish one!”

Spanish mackerel is still the upper water column fish to target at this time in these areas. As I have reported over the past weeks these fish are still in a deep holding pattern. You might not see them running the surface, but they are there. We caught over 50 Spanish trolling #3 planers with Clark spoons in tow. The best size to use is going to be 00-RBMS and 0-RBMS silver Clark spoons. The pound test leader to use is going to 20-pound test monofilament. The best length is 15 feet. Clark spoons are old times favorites, which do a great job of imitating the mackerel favorite table fare of glass minnows.

Artificial Reefs
50 feet plus

Bottom fishing in these areas are good. Red snapper, black sea bass, ocean perch, and flounder were caught bottom bumping with plain old squid and cut fish. Quite a few cobias were spotted cruising around the wrecks. Some if these fish took notice at bait offered while others just kept cruising.

This was the first weekend that I have personally seen large numbers of king mackerel on these reefs. The bite was fast and furious this past weekend. We caught “snakes, slingers, and a few gaffers.” The snake kings are less than 8 pounds. The slingers are also called “teenagers,” which normally weight in mid to low teen pounds. (13-17 pounds) The “gaffers” are normally over 18 pounds over. When they get to over 20 to 25 pounds these kings are called semi-smokers. Once they get close to 30 pounds they are call “SMOKERS!” All king mackerel that we put in the boat were caught on 31/2 inch Drone spoons pulled 30 feet behind #3 planers.

Savannah Snapper Banks

It might be a longer ride, but well worth it. This area has it all from big bottom fish to unpredictable top water fair! Large red snapper bite!

Gulf Stream

Winds, winds, and high sea conditions prevailed this past week…. However, as you all you blue water fishermen know, “it’s definitely time to go!” The bad news is we didn’t get to go this past week…the better news is that we might have a chance next week…and now it’s could be presumed that the blue water season is going to be longer this year meaning the edge still looks real good….

Freshies Suggestions

Once again those Macon, Georgia Fishermen know their stuff!

A couple of weeks ago I had Kevin Pitts and Marty Riggs from Macon, Georgia on my boat. They had chartered my boat to do a little offshore fishing. As we rode to the offshore fishing grounds they shared a few of their “top secret fresh water tips!” As you know I get to talk to the best! Please find listed below more fantastic proven Freshies suggestions!

According to Marty and Kevin, Berkley freshwater artificial baits work well. Their favorites are the 3 inch white and bubble gum shrimp patterns. As we talked both agreed that the Berkley white “Trick worm” was a great bait to work around lily pads scenarios. This is their favorite used May/June large mouth bass’s bait.

As conversation aged so did the tips. Another great bait, especially during the spring and early summer is going to be Zoom “black jelly” 6 and 8 inch worm. According to the talking duo, the reason being is that especially during this time of the year small snakes are seen everywhere making them the number one food source for the large mouth bass.

Marty talked a little about night fishing. He wasn’t talking about fishing under or around a light, but total darkness. According to this suggestion the best bait to use to get a serious “dark side manner bite” especially at this time is an old time “black buzz bait!” In this case “night visions glasses” might be needed especially if you want to see it all!

These suggestions are great! They bring to mind once again that fish eat what’s in the area. So therefore bait used needs to not only match the hatch, but also what’s traveling the mat!

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

Little Miss Judy’s Believe it or not!

Cigars and Liquor!

According to my father he knew why Cuban cigars were such a “lure!” I have to still wonder to this day where he got all of this “always shared interesting information.” In this case, it might have been straight from the source. My father personally knew “Castro.” The fact of the matter is he had supper with him on a few occasions right here in Savannah, Georgia. He also visited him in Cuba.

My father loved cigars and he smoked many in his lifetime. He especially loved Cuban Cigars and he always had a few stashed away for special occasions. According to my father Cuban cigars were “rolled on the thighs of virgins!” That all I have to say about that!

Here’s My Line Now Bite My Hook!

Captain Judy Helmey
“Fish Physic!”