| Fishing Editor
Over the next two weeks or so, the Savannah River below the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam could be the gathering place of fishermen in boats trolling or casting brightly colored mini lures and hooking and landing a silvery fish – the American shad.
Often called “the poor man’s tarpon” because of its leaping abilities when hooked, some fish will stay deep. Their strong runs coupled with river currents offer the ultimate fish fights to users of ultralight or lightweight spinning tackle
The more adventurous can test their skills by using fly rods to cast single doll flies or small plastic grubs, many of the latter sporting hot pink tails. The rule of thumb for shad lures is each must be small, colorful or flashy. The last-named describes the Barracuda brand silver spoons, No. 00 in size, available in most stores selling fishing tackle.
American shad are salt water species which spawn, like salmon, up major fresh water rivers like the Savannah. Peak spawning periods generally begin in late March and end in early May. Georgia’s Satilla, Ogeechee and Altamaha rivers also are major shad spawning areas, while in South Carolina the same applies to the Edisto, Cooper and Combahee.
Buck shad, or the males, weigh up to 3 pounds or less, while the females, or roe shad, are much heavier and 12-pounders are known to exist. The late Henry Baxley, of Augusta, in 1986 caught the state record American shad of 8 pounds, 3 ounces below the lock and dam.
Daily limit is eight fish per angler and a fishing license is required. A crucial piece of equipment for shad fishing is a long-handled landing net. The fishes’ mouths are paper-thin and many a fish has been lost when the fisherman tried to lift it by grabbing the line in an attempt to hoist his catch into the boat.
Fishing report
Capt. Dave Willard, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full-time professional fishing guide specializing in hybrids, striped bass and trophy largemouth bass. www.crockettrocketstriperfishing.com Residence: 1 (803) 637-6379. Cell phone: (706) 214-0236 – Last Saturday, Dr. Kade Hardy of Augusta and his father-in-law, visiting from Mississippi, had a great time catching largemouth bass, Kentucky spotted bass, hybrids and white perch. The bass were caught in 30 feet of water, the others in 40 feet. “Dr. Murphy told me he was a former hunting guide and we had a good discussion about that,” said Willard, who enjoys deer hunting.
Capt. Billy Murphy – His son, Brad, has taken over operation of the family fishing guide service, Double Trouble Fishing Guides. He can be reached at (803) 991-3646 – I fished with my son, Jonathan, last Wednesday and caught 18 crappies trolling Hal-Flies beneath floats over trees in 10 to 12 feet of water. Last Thursday, Mike Palmer, of Hephzibah, and I pulled planer boards and free lines, winding up with 15 hybrids and stripers and two largemouth bass. One of the bass weighed 6 pounds. I caught a 12-pound striper and Mike landed a 22-pounder. We pulled the boards over flats above Little River Marina. We caught some female largemouth bass loaded with eggs. I fishied by myself today (Wednesday), and caught some nice bass on a Lucky Craft Pointer jerk bait in shad coloration fishing secondary and main lake points. My boat is sitting in 10 feet of water. I am seeing hundreds of 1-1/2 and 2-inch-long herring, leading me to believe those fish have spawned.
BEAUFORT, S.C. & VICINITY
Capt. Ralph Goodison Jr., Fripp Island, 1 (843) 986-4070 – Fishing has been slow inshore for red fish and spotted sea trout, but good for whiting and flounder. For those liking catch and release shark fishing, the Fripp Inlet recently produced a 7-1/2-foot-long hammerhead. In deeper water around the 6HI Buoy and the tire reef, nice black sea bass, black drum and triggerfish are being caught while bottom fishing.
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Miss Judy Charters, Capt. Judy Helmey, 1 (912) 897-4921. www.missjudycharters.com 124 Palmetto Drive, Savannah, GA 31410 – Before the rain, lots of fish were caught. Surface temperature inshore has reached 60 degrees, while offshore it’s 58. Once temperatures stay above 60, all the fish will turn on. Live shrimp ar3e scarce in our area so my charter captains have been driving south past Fort McAllister to other bait shops and loading up. The sheepshead bite is strong and should last until the end of this month. Occasionally, bottom fishermen will catch small black sea bass. All they have to do is quit for a while, the smaller fish will move on and the larger fish will move in. The artificial reefs in 60 feet of water are producing some nice catches
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