This winter has been more like July in December. I can't believe how nice the weather has been over the last few months. I also can't believe how windy it was during our warmer fishing months. Anyway as my father use to say, "It's what it is!"

I always get ask this question at this time of the year. "Is the bottom fishing any good during the cooler months?" My standard answer and has been for a very long time is, "Yes it's great!" I guess all this confusion is due to the fact that if you don't need any suntan lotion you couldn't possibly have a chance to catch any bottom fish. The bottom line is that I love bottom fishing at this time of the year. It's that time when we can catch large numbers of fish close and fast.

This is the time of year when the bottom fish are close, which makes the boat ride to the fishing grounds shorter. If you are lucky enough to be able to pick a sunny calm day then you should be able to catch fish. The artificial reefs are holding lots of interesting bottom fish. We have been catching lots of Black Sea bass with squid. I have been trying a different approach. I started using a "Hopkins Lure" instead of squid. This is a drop and jig style type of lure that I remembered my father using a lot in early fifties. He loved to use this lure while he was bottom fishing at the old black fish banks. You just simply attach the lure to the snap swivels or directly to the line. I like to use the medium size Hopkins on about 20lb-test line. It's silver in color and has one treble hook in tow. The bottom fish love to chase this lure, the more you jig it, the more hits you get. I have been catching summer trout, sheepshead, Spot! tail bass, black drum, and large Black Sea bass. I locate the fish, stop the boat, and drop down right into the school. You will be amazed at the hits and hookups that you will get. The lighter tackle makes for great action. It's a great change of pace from squid to artificial bait. There isn't any smell to deal with.

Another fish that is holding at the artificial reefs at this time is the sheepshead. These fish are usually found schooling over the higher structures located within the reef area. I prefer fishing the barges for these fish. I have caught over the year's lots of sheepshead with just a dangling squid head on the hook. However, if you really want to target these fish your best shot for a hook up is to use a fiddler crab for bait. It's not like regular drift bottom fishing. You will need to anchor up current of the intended spot to get the best shot at these fish. This positioning enables your bait to drift naturally into to the strike zone. It takes a special feel to catch a sheepshead. In fact the fishing roomer, which have been going around for years is that you have to set that hook before the fish bites. I didn't get the meaning of this roomer until I tried to catch one of these fish. However it can be done by anyone who wishes a fishing! challenge. Once you catch one of these fish there is a good chance that you will be get hooked on this style of fishing. For amounts of bait needed the rule of thumb is to figure it takes 10 fiddlers to catch one sheepshead. You do the math it sounds to complicated to me. It all boils down to this, the more you go and experience the set the hook before they bite method, the less bait you will need!

For those who don't mind a little longer boat ride give the Savannah Snapper Banks a try. This place has always been a good area to target and catch the large bottom fish. I usually find them on the ledges located in 95 to 105 feet of water. Your best bait is going to be a live fish. However, don't rule out using the old stand by dead bait, which is frozen cigar minnows or just plain old squid. They have worked in the past. I just prefer to go with a live bait it just seems to get the attention of the big fish quicker.

My method of catching big bottom fish has been very effective. After all I have been catching and studying these fish for years. It's important to know the area that this fish wants to live in and why. Of course location of the boat in reference to the ledge is another need to know. The right rig and of course the right baits to use also. All of these things mentioned will help you get that big fish that you are looking for. However lets face it all of this information makes the fishing thing sound like a lot of work especially for those fishermen whom only get to go a few times a year. So therefore I am going to share with you what my father shared with me to change my fishing to catching. I have named it, "Fishing 101."

Always have a fish plan. In other words take out that bottom chart and take a look at the bottom area in which you are planning to fish. As I have suggested for years, the "Maps Unique" chart is the best to start with. For those who are just getting started pick an area that has lots of natural bottom that is close together. This will allow you to make long drifts while bottom fishing. Do all of this planning at your stable kitchen table. Now write these areas down and dedicate one spot that you intend to start your bottom fishing expedition. Don't worry about live bait it will be there. Just bring along you gold hook bait rigs and catch it in this spot. Don't worry the fish will be there!

Always take a pen and paper with you to you fishing spot. Write down all coordinates down while drifting in these areas. You must remember, "Where there is live bottom there is small and large fish." So therefore every spot you write down is a potential fish drop. I have over thirty-five years of fishing records that I can reference from. Believe me it's very important to keep records.

For those who don't know which terminal gear to use you can either ask you favorite tackle store or call me. (912 897 4921) I have put a line of bottom fishing rigs on the market. My rigs are simple, easy to use, and the best part is that they have been proven. So you already know for a fact that they will work!.

Once arriving at your intended fishing spot, get set up, catch some bait or use the bait that you have brought. I always take squid with me. It's the universal bait and all fish will hit squid. Don't panic once you arrive and don't start catching fish. Give your fishing methods a chance. When I first started fishing I was very young and impatient. So therefore I wanted instance results, but as I have learned from my past years of experience you can't always have that when fishing. That comes only after years of fishing which then allows you on some occasions to figure out without a doubt what a fish wants and when. I know what you are thinking, "Who has all that time when all you want to do is to catch a fish?" So therefore as my father use to say, "Judy you can't catch a fish without keeping a bait in the water."

Please visit our web site at: Savannah, GA Offshore Fishing Charters and Inshore Fishing Charters with Miss Judy Charters or call 912-897-4921 or 912-897-2478.

Thank you,
Captain Judy