captmike28
Well-Known Angler
Following a few days off we were back on the Tog grounds this past weekend with 2 different and talented crews.
On Saturday I had my long-term customers John and Ricky, joined by Mitch and another veteran of my split charter crews Frank G. The brisk NW breeze heading across the Sound had me somewhat concerned about hitting my numbers with an opposing flood tide in my favorite jigging spot off CT. However, the breeze was strong enough to overcome the opposing light tidal flow in this sheltered area and as soon as we dropped the crab baits the action started. Although there was the usual stream of shorts the keepers kept coming at a slow but steady pace. Although I usually like to fish at least one deeper nearby dop here it wasn’t necessary as by the time we reached slack water the crew had already boxed 14 keepers to 6#. Frank, who is normally very deadly with the jig, put on quite the show having everyone else aboard almost watching in disbelief as he personally boated 9 of the keepers caught here. We did make one more drop in the southern region trying to take a couple more fish for that area’s limit and again, Frank topped off the catch with the final keeper Tog to make 15 total in the box!
Sunday’s trip was much more of a struggle as the light NE breeze predicted was quite a bit stronger. I had wanted to head east to Fishers but the wind made the choice for us, so it was back to CT. Once in my jig area the wind vs. tide scenario made it very difficult for me to position the boat properly. While I usually have us on the desired piece on the first, or rarely, second try, I made 4 attempts to get us on the desired bottom. Each time the forces of nature conspired against me. We spent about 2 hours trying to get a bite going but only managed 3 keepers to 4# here this morning. Thankfully the nearby reef is a much bigger piece of bottom, and we put ourselves on the right spot there first try. Again, a lot of sorting took place, but we did manage to cull 4 more keepers to 5# from this drop before the new moon ebb tide started to scream. Finally, the wind dropped out and we were able to finish the day back in the shallows. Right on the numbers first shot and immediately the Tog started biting again. In the last hour of the trip the guys culled 3 more keepers to 6.2# a (PB for Sunday’s Frank) to run the tally up to 10 total fat Tog in the box on a very challenging day.
Hope to see better conditions this coming week as the moon starts to wane again. Only 2 weekend dates left this season if anyone wants to jump on them, Sunday 11/10, and Sunday 11/17. Water temps this weekend finally dipped into the high 50’s so the best is yet to come!
Capt. Mike
On Saturday I had my long-term customers John and Ricky, joined by Mitch and another veteran of my split charter crews Frank G. The brisk NW breeze heading across the Sound had me somewhat concerned about hitting my numbers with an opposing flood tide in my favorite jigging spot off CT. However, the breeze was strong enough to overcome the opposing light tidal flow in this sheltered area and as soon as we dropped the crab baits the action started. Although there was the usual stream of shorts the keepers kept coming at a slow but steady pace. Although I usually like to fish at least one deeper nearby dop here it wasn’t necessary as by the time we reached slack water the crew had already boxed 14 keepers to 6#. Frank, who is normally very deadly with the jig, put on quite the show having everyone else aboard almost watching in disbelief as he personally boated 9 of the keepers caught here. We did make one more drop in the southern region trying to take a couple more fish for that area’s limit and again, Frank topped off the catch with the final keeper Tog to make 15 total in the box!
Sunday’s trip was much more of a struggle as the light NE breeze predicted was quite a bit stronger. I had wanted to head east to Fishers but the wind made the choice for us, so it was back to CT. Once in my jig area the wind vs. tide scenario made it very difficult for me to position the boat properly. While I usually have us on the desired piece on the first, or rarely, second try, I made 4 attempts to get us on the desired bottom. Each time the forces of nature conspired against me. We spent about 2 hours trying to get a bite going but only managed 3 keepers to 4# here this morning. Thankfully the nearby reef is a much bigger piece of bottom, and we put ourselves on the right spot there first try. Again, a lot of sorting took place, but we did manage to cull 4 more keepers to 5# from this drop before the new moon ebb tide started to scream. Finally, the wind dropped out and we were able to finish the day back in the shallows. Right on the numbers first shot and immediately the Tog started biting again. In the last hour of the trip the guys culled 3 more keepers to 6.2# a (PB for Sunday’s Frank) to run the tally up to 10 total fat Tog in the box on a very challenging day.
Hope to see better conditions this coming week as the moon starts to wane again. Only 2 weekend dates left this season if anyone wants to jump on them, Sunday 11/10, and Sunday 11/17. Water temps this weekend finally dipped into the high 50’s so the best is yet to come!
Capt. Mike
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