SALTWATER JUNE 2008 CAPT JUDY

June 9, 2008

Happy Fish Day!

Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and “Little Miss Judy’s story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy

Inshore Suggestions and reports

Spotted Sea Trout

Captain Ray Crawley has once again used his old methods to get some new bite. Spotted sea trout are once again preying on the mud minnow as well as any other marine habitats that are staging on the “dead white oyster banks.” As I stated in one of my previous reports “dead white oyster banks” have a lot to offer spotted sea trout and us fishermen. The first thing is that all those dead white oyster offer a great place for small fish to hang as well as feel safe. All those oysters seemly just laying on the bank offers up some great hiding places as well as feeding zones for small creatures. With that being said, “if we know this then those swimming down under also are aware!” Let me stop here by saying, “Although this area isn’t a live oyster bed it still provides food as well as shelter AKA hiding places for smaller fish. This brings on the attentions of the larger ones!” In other words, “they are great places to fish over!”

Captain Ray worked these areas with his most favorite bait green and white 3 X Strike King 5 inch Zulu Baby Bass. These are great baits that can last even after receiving multiple bites delivered from the chopping jaws of the school blues. It’s suggests that when using this lure that you bring along a pair of scissors so as to make any trimming cuts. This is one of those baits that you can’t just bite parts off with your teeth. Scissors needed here!

While using his quiet trolling motor Captain Ray moved having his customers pitch and retrieve over these areas. The bite was scattered, but steady. This report is a good one for sure. The reason being is that I have had many inshore fishermen tell me that they have drove past these areas without a thought in mind about “fish holding here!” This one report opens up an entirely new fishing arena!

Offshore Report
Line size and color does matter!

I got an interesting email from Michael Mosely this past week. He along with his fishing crew has done a little offshore fishing. While bottom fishing Michael put out his trusty spinning reel with standard rigged light tackle bait with hopes for a king mackerel bite. After a few passes over some live bottom they caught some nice bottom fish and hooked up three nice king mackerel. All on board then decided it was time to take a stroll and do some trolling. After all the top water bite seemed solid enough.

Once lines were set out they pulled the area where they had bottom fish, because it seemed to have what the holding kings were interested in. They had around five lines out. Four of the five reels out were loaded with “green” 20-pound test “Ande line.” The fifth was the small spinning reel, which has already caught the interest of three kings. It was loaded with bright yellow Sterns braid line. Michael’s question was “did you think line color makes a difference? Or do you think that it was blind luck that all fish landed on this day were caught on the smallest reel loaded with yellow braid line?

Since I have been fishing so many years just by coincidence only I found out a long time ago that line size as well as color does matter. Although I didn’t first understand or much less cared about line color it was quickly brought to the table about line size. Back in the old days there weren’t that many line colors available. I remember clear and clear mostly. When line colors became available everyone included the fish marveled at the new changes. However, it took a while before line color, at least in the fisherman’s eye, had any weight in the trolling matter. The fish decided quickly what looked good to them not to us!

When I did start paying attention I quickly learned that not only did line color make a different, but also pound test. In Michael’s fish catching case braided line made a hit with the fish on this particular day. From the report the way the line pulled through the water might have been the deciding factor why the kings only hit rigs pulled from the spinning reel. Braided line does make a much cleaner cut through the water thus less turbulence is produced for “those big brown eyes” to see. As far as color of line is concerned I believe and have seen on certain fish days that darker lines work better then the brighter one do.

It is also my belief that if you have all the same color lines pulled and you throw in a different one it will be the focus point for the fish. The reason being is that its causes a spot light affect on the bait used boiling down to “eat this quick, because it’s different!”

I not suggesting that you go out and purchase as well be ready to re-load all reels with one certain line or another. What is suggested is to make notes of what lines worked best when and where. Another suggestion is to throw into you trolling scheme when possible any sort of change such as a different line color along with pulling the baits shorter or longer from the boat.

By the way Michael didn’t come home with a loaded spinning reel. A large king mackerel spooled it before he could get the boat turned around. This is one of those cases where it is proven without a doubt that Michael should re-load this particular reel with the same type and color line! Michael thanks for the mail and “Good Fishing!”

Offshore Fishing Report
Gray’s Reef Sanctuary
For a complete chart of this area, please contact Captain Judy 912 897 4921 or by email fishjudy2@aol.com

This area is close and it “a natural” for sure! Most near shore areas off the Georgia Coast are manmade and we call them “artificial reefs!’ Gray’s Reef is the “Real Deal!” It’s close meaning on a good day you don’t have to take a 30-foot plus boat to fish this area.

Chris Newton called in an interesting catching report from this area this past week. To make this report work I need to start from Chris’s “get-go!” Chris’s fish plan was to slow troll for the larger version of king mackerel. In my book when this is your targeted species certain things have to come together. The bottom line to this report is that Chris did it all right for sure.

Once arriving offshore of Black Beard Island he set his sights for porgies. This was going to be his bait used for the day. I must add making this decision to fish with this bait meant he had to find them first before he could exactly “go fish!” As luck or in this case “good planning prevailed” Chris found some nice large porgies. According to this report the person that Chris fished with knew exactly where these baits were holding. This meant they went there, threw the old cast net, caught, picked out the largest porgies caught, and then moved towards the fishing grounds. Being in the know always helps in this case!

Once arriving to Gray’s Reef light king rigs were baited with large live pogies. The slow troll set went like this. They pulled one bait near the bottom at about 55 to 60 feet. The second bait was pulled at around 25 to 30 feet. Once these lines were “fine tuned” the line of all lines was set out. When I heard Chris say he had put out the “prop wash line” my mind went into to over load. I started thinking about all of the fish that I had caught while in this fish catching mode.

Prop Wash Flat Line

The good news about this style of trolling is the fact that it works anywhere. This trolling concept is quite appealing to those down under fish especially the larger ones. So therefore it works where you have water under your boat…here’s a planned method that has worked for me on many occasions while fishing the blue waters of the stream as well as those that are situated west of this area. This boils down all areas from near to offshore.

I have used rigged ballyhoo, cigar minnows, stripped bait, and just plain pulling lures. The secret to this pulled bait is exactly where you put it. In this case you pull in right in the “prop wash!’ The turbulence caused as the “prop makes way” is beneficial to those that fish. The fish that get lure to it can’t deny it either!

This brings me to yet another topic of conversation and that’s bubbles can cause a fish bite to happen. When you pull a lure behind the boat or sometimes when you just plain retrieve bubbles or what is sometimes called “smoke trails” are produced. Fish that stalk, feed on impulse, have teeth, eat, and swim in the ocean “get at this!’ This means, “it’s an attractant” for sure. This “prop wash trolling” is basically trolling. However, location, location, location in regards to the lure is the most important thing to consider. In this case it’s not what you pull, but where you pull it. It’s a lure that you pull right behind the boat at a slow or medium speed. The discombobulating caused by the prop spinning through the water “calls up fish.” The best news about this is that when the fish arrives your lure is the one that they focus on the most, which is a good thing. I have had many a customer soaked from large fish darting at “prop wash lures pulled!”

The bottom line to Chris Newton’s report was they caught 6 king mackerel, which all weighted in at over 20 pounds plus each. They also had a cobia bite, but never hooked one up. However, just knowing that they are holding in this area is a plus for us fishermen especially those that want to just target this fish. While slow trolling they caught two large black sea bass on the deep baits pulled, which just goes to show you something about this fish. They will eat anything even if it hardly fits in their mouth. In this case large porgies used as bait for king mackerel still appealed to the hungry black sea bass. I have had large bass eat all the swimming baits in my live well to the point that it killed them.

I didn’t mention this, but when the fishermen were casting for the pogies a nice tarpon jumped right by the boat. So therefore if you are one of those fishermen that want to get your best chance at a tarpon it’s definitely time to start getting a plan together! Over the last coupled years it seems that there has been a stronger tarpon bite to the south of us meaning Sapelo Sound, St. Catherine’s sound, and Black Beard areas. These areas have been holding what this fish wants to eat. Thanks Chris for this great fish catching report!

Blue Water Fishing Report

War Wagon

Scott Lewis boat “War Wagon” was definitely properly named. The reason being is that when he leaves the dock catching is more of an issue than fishing! I received a great blue water report from one of the crewmembers that fished with Captain Scott on the “War Wagon” last week. Jake Eherenman loves to fish, catch, and watch the ocean go by especially when heading in an easterly direction!

Over the years I have received many interesting reports from Jake. This is another one to add to his fishing report slate. As they made their way to the blue waters of the stream their catching anticipation raged. Once arriving lines were set and the art of catching began right away. While visiting all the right underwater ledges the fish’s whereabouts were found. When they trolled over the “Triple Ledge” with 8 to 9 lines out solid hookups were had. All fish were amberjack that were 25 plus pounds. These fish were fought, caught, carefully released. For those that don’t know the amberjack in my opinion is one of those fish that falls into the “strong fighters category!” However, the fish that they were targeting was “tuna, dolphin, Wahoo,” which in the blue water fish world is known as a “gulf stream grand slam!”

Their headings changed with all “eyes wide!” As they trolled away from the area they started “picking dolphin” of all sizes. Then end count came to about 40 nice dolphins ranging in 40 plus to 10 and under. As they made their way home high speed-trolling lures were set out. When the high-speed lures were situated, Jake watched as they were pulled “a true and straight 15 knots.” The first fish that found “high speed his greed” hit the lure hard. As soon as the fish became airborne it was quickly identified as a nice Wahoo, which weight in at around 30 pounds. Once landing this fish throttles were place back to the 15 knots stage and high-speed lures were set out again. Jake sat down re-situated his eyes and it didn’t take minutes before number two fish hit. This fish was a nice bull 25 pounds plus dolphin. I am always saying at least in most cases “you will catch more fish with lures in the water than out!” This brings to light this fact: if you had lures in the water when you were moving that your “hook up ratio” would definitely increase. This consideration is not just for blue water fishing it goes for all fish catching opportunities from inshore to offshore…don’t just think about it or do it!

War Wagon Marlin Report

This is a very true statement: When you are out on the water you really never know what you might get to see. Along with War Wagon’s already successful fishing trip comes the sights seen!

While trolling and watching the crew saw a large 500-pound plus blue marlin at it’s best! This boils down to the fact that the marlin was all lit up, free jumping, and was on a definite chase. It looked like the marlin was herding up as well as feeding on the nearby schools of Bonita and black fin tuna. The bad news is the “man in the blue suit” didn’t take the “War Wagon” up on any of their baits offered!

While fighting a small hooked up black fin tuna a large something with teeth ate it. All that there was left was the head, which in some countries is considered a delicacy!

Another Captain Judy Past Adventure

I will never forget the time that I saw a large marlin at batting practice. It happened while I was fishing near the Deli Ledge about 10 years ago. As we trolled I looked from my bridge for fishy areas. Out the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of what I would call a serious splash. In an ocean watcher’s world when it comes to splashes there are quite a few that can be described: The first is dolphin (mammals, porpoises) wakes or splashes, which from a distance look just like what they are. The second is a school of fish in cadence or sequence meaning there is some sort of pattern. This is easily followed from topside by the ones watching especially if you know what you are looking at. The third type is erratic, ripping, and serious splashing. This is what I call what large fish such as a marlin do best when it’s in hot pursuit. In other words “once the fish eye’s its next meal” natural sights are set. The bill exactly is their weapon of choice, which is basically used to beat and soften up what it’s going to eat. I think I have said enough and that you certainly do get my point!

226 Hole Report
Mike Calandra dropped by the office and offered up yet another great blue water report. Although he wasn’t actually on location for this fish day “fishing stories ran ramped.” According to his report one boat fished the “226 Hole this past week” and had a bonus catching day. The tally went like this: there were around 15 dolphins caught on this particular blue water fish day. The largest landed tipped the scales to about 50 pounds. The others landed were only a wee bit smaller. These dolphins ranged from 30 to 40, which brings this report to “Mega status!” To this already great catch day they added one sail fish and marlin release.

The 226 Hole has a lot to offer the fish as well as the fishermen. When the currents of the Gulf Stream currents make a pass by this area “upwellings and backflows” are produced. These newly formed areas are feeding paradises for all fish that swim. The “upwelling” pushes all kinds of nutrients as well as small baitfish from down under up. This causes a chain reaction that offers up a serious “feeding zone of grand portions.” In other words “troll here!”

Backflows at least from my point of view produce imaginary fish feeding walls. These so called walls can also be called “calming zones!” These areas can also be called “structure for some fish to feed and some to hide.” There’s one more thing that backflows can produce and that’s another serious edge to fish. The bottom line is when you see currents change direction and nutrients in the water it’s your sign to “pull them here!” There are specific blue water charts that cover these areas. For more information call 912 897 4921 or email me fishjudy2@com.

Capt. Sam Vick “ROC-N-REEL” 26 ft. Parker

Sail Fish Mania
Captain Sam Vick and crew fished the Deli Ledge this past week. They caught 5 dolphins with two weighting in at about 40 pounds. The other three dolphins were in the mid thirties. During this making way phase they had two large Wahoo “cut offs” right at the back of the boat. While taking this trolling event to a new height they caught and released a fine Atlantic sailfish, which was caught by Travis Burke. (These pictures can be seen on my website, just click on “photo button” www.missjudycharters.com) To top this trip off this was Travis’s first sail! Congratulations!
The group also tried a little bottom fishing, which also proved to be another highlight catching event for this blue water fish day!

“Just Teasin wasn’t Teasin!”

Gulf stream fishing has taken on a new twist. Captain “Little” Tommy Williams along with Captain “Whippy Lash” Kirk Sutlive took that blue water ride this week. The bite wasn’t furious but they did manage to land 12 real nice dolphin. Captain “Little” Tommy fished rips that were loaded with Sargasso weed as well as feeding birds and temperature breaks. However, most dolphins were caught while trolling over live bottom areas located at the B-Liner hole and the Deli ledge. Even though the dolphin were holding deep all interested fish hit small rigged baits pulled on the surface.

Freshies Report!

As The Worm Turns

Fishing the old plastic worm can be boring especially if “slow as you go” retrieval is what’s on tap and it’s not working. It’s a known fact and it has been successful on more occasions than not, that a slowly worked worm inching on the bottom works with great success. However, what about those days when you can’t get that “inch along worm” to work? Well, here’s a suggestion that just might work. Put some “speed on your retrieve.” Instead of thinking like an in-line six go V8. In other words I suggest making longer casts and faster retrieves. The bottom line to the suggestion is that you will cover more water quicker and the bite received will be more from reflex than hunger. Heck, you had already proved that the bass weren’t hungry! Even thought real worms aren’t known for “putting on any sort of speed performance” in this case you just might want to give this fast style retrieve a try. This is another one of those tips that you don’t have to tell anyone that you tried it, that’s unless it worked!

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

Daddy’s Tricks of the Trade!

My father always taught me that to catch a fish you have to think like one. On some occasions fish just eat when the bait is placed in front or anywhere near them. Then there are cases where no matter what you throw at them they don’t take notice! This is when “tricks of the trade” need to be used!

Here are a few suggestions:

If the fish are mouthing your bait, meanings picking it up and dropping it, it’s time to downsize bait used. Cut the bait smaller and place barely covering the hook’s point.

When using live nervous bait such as cigar minnows and Spanish sardines and that’s not getting the fish’s attention try this: take them off the hook, cut them in half, and use each half cut on the hook.

Give free spooling on the bottom a try…some times referred to by old school fishermen not familiar with standard trolling as “bottom strolling.” This is where you drop your bait to the bottom; you leave bailer open, and lightly control with thumb. This basically lets the bait stay put for as long as you can in what you think is the “strike zone.” This is a great tip to go with when the plan isn’t to anchor and the current is screaming! However, be alert, because a big fish hit can happen, spinning the bailer out of control and severely burning your thumb. When this happens you sometimes experienced a major tangling of your line on the reel! Daddy called this quick mess up a “bird’s nest!” This name stuck at least until he found out whether of not he could straighten it out. If he found he couldn’t, daddy then got the knife out, and the tangle was then called “eagle’s nest!”

Most people that have severely burnt their thumb up definitely don’t want to admit how painful it really is. Since I have done this on many occasions I know for a fact that it hurts bad. The best way to reduce the pain is to stick your thumb in a glass of ice water. Back in the old days daddy called us big sissies! According to the big captain wrapping black electrical tape on our thumbs could reduce possible burning of the thumb to a medium. Why use black tape? “Because none of this other stuff such as thumb protectors, duct tape, or water proof white tape had been invented!”

There are many more that I haven’t mentioned, but I will stop for now. However, I am going to leave you with this last tip. One day while fishing with my father one of our customers was eating a ham sandwich. After all he certainly had time to eat the fish bite was a little slow on this particular day. As I remember there was a little complaining going on in regards to the fish bite. My father always had something to say about everything. He was one of those captains that you never knew what was going to fly out of his mouth! Daddy then suggested, “why don’t you try a piece of that ham on your sandwich?” The rest is “different bait used catching history!”

Here’s my line now bite my hook!

Captain Judy