captmike28
Well-Known Angler
Yesterday’s split charter found Chef Nader, his friend Dan, my long-term customer Frank G. and Mitch (Chinacat) from the board join me for some fine fall Tog action. This was the first time this season it felt like a real fall trip as my hatch covers were partially frozen when I climbed aboard at 5:30!
Since we had solid action with keepers on a deeper drop on Sunday’s charter off CT I decided to try a favorite deep drop off Fishers that was also helped by the softer ¼ moon tides. Arrived about 90 minutes before the end of the ebb and had solid action for the next 2.5 hours. The typical sorting routine was present but slowly the crew started to fill the box with nice 16.5-18” keepers. By the time flood began we had 10 in the box and, typically, as the shift occurred, Nader does his stuff and lands a fat 6.25# fish to complete our time on the deep drop.
Next, we move into the shallows and everyone breaks out the spinning tackle for some increased excitement with the feisty Tog. Immediately, Nader and Dan deck 2 Tog close to 4# each and Frank quickly follows with one of his own. We are now only 2 fish shy of our full boat limit so the decision was made to return one of those fish and keep 3 slots open for something larger. We tossed back a couple more keepers until Nader, once again, ties into another nice fish of 6#. Then the extremely light current combined with the slackening wind slid the boat off my favorite piece and the action slowed down. Now we ae starting to question the wisdom of throwing back keepers but Mitch’s perseverance manages to deck another nice fish in the 4# class.
Determined to find my fares one more quality fish to fill the limit, I reanchored the boat and after a bit of adjustment with the amount of anchor rode put out I finally got us back on the better bottom. While a few smaller keepers were caught again the guys held back and finally Dan was rewarded with the best Tog of the day weighing in at 7.5#. Cruised home on a nice flat Sound to conclude an extremely satisfying but chilly fall Blackfish trip.
Although it sems like the fun just started it’s hard to believe I am looking at the close of the 2022 season in just another 11 days. I sure hope Mother Nature gives me at least one or two more shots at our excellent North Shore Tog fishing.
Tight lines to all!!
Capt. Mike
Since we had solid action with keepers on a deeper drop on Sunday’s charter off CT I decided to try a favorite deep drop off Fishers that was also helped by the softer ¼ moon tides. Arrived about 90 minutes before the end of the ebb and had solid action for the next 2.5 hours. The typical sorting routine was present but slowly the crew started to fill the box with nice 16.5-18” keepers. By the time flood began we had 10 in the box and, typically, as the shift occurred, Nader does his stuff and lands a fat 6.25# fish to complete our time on the deep drop.
Next, we move into the shallows and everyone breaks out the spinning tackle for some increased excitement with the feisty Tog. Immediately, Nader and Dan deck 2 Tog close to 4# each and Frank quickly follows with one of his own. We are now only 2 fish shy of our full boat limit so the decision was made to return one of those fish and keep 3 slots open for something larger. We tossed back a couple more keepers until Nader, once again, ties into another nice fish of 6#. Then the extremely light current combined with the slackening wind slid the boat off my favorite piece and the action slowed down. Now we ae starting to question the wisdom of throwing back keepers but Mitch’s perseverance manages to deck another nice fish in the 4# class.
Determined to find my fares one more quality fish to fill the limit, I reanchored the boat and after a bit of adjustment with the amount of anchor rode put out I finally got us back on the better bottom. While a few smaller keepers were caught again the guys held back and finally Dan was rewarded with the best Tog of the day weighing in at 7.5#. Cruised home on a nice flat Sound to conclude an extremely satisfying but chilly fall Blackfish trip.
Although it sems like the fun just started it’s hard to believe I am looking at the close of the 2022 season in just another 11 days. I sure hope Mother Nature gives me at least one or two more shots at our excellent North Shore Tog fishing.
Tight lines to all!!
Capt. Mike
