Georgia Saltwater Fishing Report September 2011

Saltwater: Inshore: Capt. Judy Helmey said a subtle change takes place in September. “All fish are basically put on notice that fall patterns are pending. Just the fact that daylight is a couple of minutes shorter makes all the difference. This is not the month for migrations, it’s the month for feeding on everything that is available. Spotted sea trout, redfish and flounder might feed at different times of the tides; however, here’s what they have in common — all of them like live shrimp. You can serve it up anyway you like from naked with or without any sort of leader or weight or under popping or adjustable floats. Here is the secret to the bite in September — once you get the bite going, it’s easy to change your bait. If you start using live shrimp, and they all happen to die or you run out, your best bet then is to change over to any leftover parts from previous hits or start using DOA Shrimp artificials. When using pre-rigged DOAs, I suggest removing the weight and hook. Then I suggest taking a 2/0 to 3/0 Kahle hook and hooking the shrimp up like you do the real deal. Since you want the DOA to look as natural as possible, you need to place the hook in the mid ship of the shrimp. Once it’s balanced on the hook’s bend, it becomes the prefect waving bait in the current under a popping cork or an adjustable float. The best colors are root beer, clear gold glitter, clear chartreuse tail and golden cherry red. I suggest using 1/4-oz. DOA shrimp patterns. Another secret is to drop a few DOAs into the livewell. I call this ‘adding juice appeal!’” Capt. Bob Barnette said things are starting to look up. “It appears we are going to have a great fall trout season, and the redfish are everywhere. There have been a few tarpon reported, most in the 80-lb. range. Shark fishing will improve over the next few weeks. As always look for them in the edges of the sounds using whole small fish or cut bait,” Bob said. “As for the trout, I would use the common float rig with live shrimp. Redfish are everywhere, and on most days you can catch your limit using the same rig as for the trout, only you need to set the depth where the shrimp bumps across the bottom. This setup will also put you in the path of the wonderful flounder. Flounder lay on the bottom hiding and waiting on the food to come to it.”