Georgia Fishing - Inshore/Offshore (RED SNAPPER MAYHEM!)
Capt. TJ Cheek
December 7, 2008
St. Simons Island - Saltwater Fishing Report
December offshore Fishing 2008 – Coastal Georgia Saltwater
INSHORE GEORGIA
There are some years that are just premier, and this winter season has been one of those that will never be forgotten here on the Georgia Coast, inshore and offshore.
This weekend yielded results like no other year we can remember. Inshore, Trout fisherman caught hundreds of trout. I mean hundreds. There were 11 boats fishing on Friday that I know about personally. Between these 11 boats, there were over 450 trout caught from ten inches right on up to 3-4 pounds.
The trout are being taken on artificial, popping floats, slip floats and free lined shrimp. The offerings did not seem to be key. This year, the fish are HERE!
Novice and first year trout anglers have enjoyed numbers of trout like they have yet to witness in their short inshore fishing time on the water. This will be the year that will keep anglers coming back over and over, and also offers up the chance for them to hone their techniques when the bite is slow.
Not only has this been great for the fisherman, the economy's trickle effect is in full force. The excellent fishing both inshore and offshore have boosted local Marina bait and fuel sales through the past month almost double from the months preceding this incredible fishing. If you haven't been fishing in Georgia, now is the time…..
OFFSHORE GEORGIA
I hate to be repetitive, but I must. The Red Snapper are biting better and better. Just when I thought I couldn't get any better, the fish gods shined on us all weekend in the cobalt blue ocean at the 115 ft. mark... AKA: Georgia's 40 Mile Bottom.
This stretch of live bottom is very well known from Florida up to South Carolina by offshore fisherman. The weather keeps the area out of reach for smaller boats less than 25 ft. with the exception of only a few flat calm days.
The 40 mile bottom stretches from Savannah Georgia to Fernandina Beach Florida and lies 45-50 miles from shore. The area is laden with coral, rock piles and ledges up to 15 ft. offering relief for baitfish and many types of ocean growing organisms. Red Snapper teem on the ledges and live bottom are where bait is holding and this year, they're big.
"Mule Snapper" as we call them, are plentiful this year with only a few fish shy of the 20 inch size limit. A 20 inch Snapper is a fairly good size fish compared to those on Florida's west coast which allows a smaller size limit for anglers, although there are some large Snapper caught there as well.
On our most recent trips, we managed a few Red Snapper over 20 pounds and many others in the 10-15 pound range. Cut Bonito seems to be the best choice for bait per usual. Although squid will suffice, there is nothing quite like a chunk of bloody bonito dropped on a live bottom ledge. Snapper can't stay away from it… We did not fish live bait all 3 days we fished this past week. No need.
A drone spoon or jig is used to catch the bonito (Little Tunny) around structure where bait fish are prominent. They're an easy catch and again, the best bait available for Snapper of all species. The bonito are then bled and cut into 2 inch chunks using the skin of the fish to embed the hook. The fish can't snatch off a bonito chunk very easily.
HOW WE RIG FOR SNAPPER – SWEET AND SIMPLE
Our rig consists of a Shakespeare Arsenal Reel with 60 pound Penn Yellow Mono line and several of my reels are loaded with 80 pound Ugly Braid for excellent feel when the fish are finicky. A 3-way swivel is attached to the main line. Attached to that, a 6 ft. cut of Penn 100 leader and the third side of the swivel gets a 12 ounce weight attached. When conditions allow, we fish lighter weights on a fish-finder rig with the same length of leader.
These rigs are very simple and mostly trouble free from tangles. They have been proven time and time again by fisherman all over the world.
Good Luck and I hope your fishing trips have been excellent and Happy Holidays to all!
Capt. Richie Lott
http://www.richielottoutdoors.com
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