AllyKat
Angler
Got a call from my buddy Tommy who is always with me on DrewsCrews, asking for "help" His Brother in Law just got a boat a few months back and is getting in the game, and he wanted to try blackfish. So he asked me for in general help with gear and know how. One check of the weather and I was in. Off to Howard Beach loaded up with everything I could think of to make a successful trip. Rods/reels, tackle, ropes, anchor, weights, jigs, bait table, scissors, dehookers, even 2 stroke oil..I didn't want anything to get in the way. The one thing I was lacking was general knowledge of the area. I have never fished Jamaica Bay before, so I downloaded a few maps from where we were heading out of, and where I thought we might want to try. At that point I reached out to the one and only MOJOE for help. Joe was very quick to point me in the right direction, what to watch for and avoid, as well as the multitude of videos he has stored. Those videos not only got me excited for a good trip, but gave me the confidence that I was hoping for.
The boat is a 21 ft '94 GW walkaround with a 2 stroke 175 Johnson. She was clean and outfitted fairly well with plenty of rod holders and a Lowrance combo FF/GPS. I brought on what we needed and we were off, Coming out of Howard Beach inlet with Tommy, his dad and BIL Steve, we started at the train bridge near JFK. We went over anchoring near the bridge, use of the windlass, what to look for on the FF, and split screen with the GPS. We got fairly close to the structure but the fish didn't bite for us, although someone tucked into the piling on his Kayak was doing well. So we lifted anchor and tied up in another area of the train bridge as well. We found life there, with sporadic action, and a few large porgies taking the crabs. Some short tog came up also, but it wasn't the action I was hoping for. On MoJoe's advice, and a little more confidence we untied and ran to the Marine Park Bridge. The area had plenty of traffic with boats trying to get close. The DEC was there checking. We set up near the outside piling and sent the crabs down. Plenty of life with the dying incoming water, but no keepers. Very loud under the metal section of the bridge with the cars overhead. Soon we were at slack water, and drifting away from the structure so we pulled the hook and set up for the outgoing away from metal overhead. Anchored up and let out line until the boat settled close to the concrete structure. The outgoing took little time to switch and flow. Dropping the crabs near the structure, and then letting them fall off to deeper water was the ticket. Soon we were all dropping and sticking fish, and started to get bigger. The newbie toggers couldn't believe we were throwing back 14/15 inch fish, but they loved the fight. We had the fish coming very well for a half hour with Tommy getting a keeper when the Coast Guard came and broke up our fish fest. They informed us and everyone else we were too close to the bridge. So being low on bait, we decided to try the less populated bridge next to Howard Beach. We ran there and anchored in what should've been a great spot, but the fish were not home. Called it a day and filleted the porgies and tog back at the slip.
As dismal as only 1 keeper sounds, the guys had a great time and were very happy with the action and education they got to give them the confidence to go out and do it again. They saw how precise the fishing has to be, and how much tackle and rigs you go through..I was a busy beaver all day! I enjoyed fishing a new area for me, and am very greatful to MOJOE being so helpful towards his fellow fisherman and NE/NYA pals. I'm off the water for one more weekend as travel softball with my daughter consumes my time, but hopefully mother nature has my back next weekend and through November and I get to drown some crabs on the LI Sound before the seasons ends,
The boat is a 21 ft '94 GW walkaround with a 2 stroke 175 Johnson. She was clean and outfitted fairly well with plenty of rod holders and a Lowrance combo FF/GPS. I brought on what we needed and we were off, Coming out of Howard Beach inlet with Tommy, his dad and BIL Steve, we started at the train bridge near JFK. We went over anchoring near the bridge, use of the windlass, what to look for on the FF, and split screen with the GPS. We got fairly close to the structure but the fish didn't bite for us, although someone tucked into the piling on his Kayak was doing well. So we lifted anchor and tied up in another area of the train bridge as well. We found life there, with sporadic action, and a few large porgies taking the crabs. Some short tog came up also, but it wasn't the action I was hoping for. On MoJoe's advice, and a little more confidence we untied and ran to the Marine Park Bridge. The area had plenty of traffic with boats trying to get close. The DEC was there checking. We set up near the outside piling and sent the crabs down. Plenty of life with the dying incoming water, but no keepers. Very loud under the metal section of the bridge with the cars overhead. Soon we were at slack water, and drifting away from the structure so we pulled the hook and set up for the outgoing away from metal overhead. Anchored up and let out line until the boat settled close to the concrete structure. The outgoing took little time to switch and flow. Dropping the crabs near the structure, and then letting them fall off to deeper water was the ticket. Soon we were all dropping and sticking fish, and started to get bigger. The newbie toggers couldn't believe we were throwing back 14/15 inch fish, but they loved the fight. We had the fish coming very well for a half hour with Tommy getting a keeper when the Coast Guard came and broke up our fish fest. They informed us and everyone else we were too close to the bridge. So being low on bait, we decided to try the less populated bridge next to Howard Beach. We ran there and anchored in what should've been a great spot, but the fish were not home. Called it a day and filleted the porgies and tog back at the slip.
As dismal as only 1 keeper sounds, the guys had a great time and were very happy with the action and education they got to give them the confidence to go out and do it again. They saw how precise the fishing has to be, and how much tackle and rigs you go through..I was a busy beaver all day! I enjoyed fishing a new area for me, and am very greatful to MOJOE being so helpful towards his fellow fisherman and NE/NYA pals. I'm off the water for one more weekend as travel softball with my daughter consumes my time, but hopefully mother nature has my back next weekend and through November and I get to drown some crabs on the LI Sound before the seasons ends,
,, thanks for sharing your day with your friends,,sounds like a blast,,, glad you all had a great time,, i told you maga tog there?????,,, im sure your buddys will be out there soon again,,,, they just have to watch out,,,, take care my friend,,,, till next time catch them up,, be safe,,,call# mojoe any time,,,,,,,,,,,,,
