captmike28
Well-Known Angler
Ran two more Tog charters this week and the results could not have been more different, ranging from our best trip of the season, so far, to a real struggle the following day.
On Thursday I had our own Matt (Snapperhead), his friend Joe, and two great guys from southern NJ, Vince, and Adam. First off, let me note that both Matt and Vince are part of our law enforcement community and during these exceptionally tough times I am very grateful for their efforts to keep us all safe.
This was a special trip for Vince as his wife purchased it as a birthday present for him. Although he is an experienced fisherman, he mentioned his Tog efforts to date had been mainly off jetty’s. So our trip was his first shot at a serious boating Blackfish trip, “North Fork Style.” All I can say is he really made the most of his opportunity. We shoved off, predawn, as I wanted to catch the last part of the ebb tide on my favorite reef on the CT side. Matt got us started with a nice 17” keeper among many other short Tog and Sea Bass the rest of the crew kept boating. With a little persistence we did ultimately put 4 keeper Tog, same size, in the box here before losing the tide.
Next stop another popular nearby reef where the short parade began again but Vince managed to lead the way by boxing 2 more small keepers on this drop. Then it was time to move on to my #1 jig spot off Fishers for the real action to begin. Typical start with about 15 minutes of short action then Matt breaks off a real good one on his spinner. That encourages Vince to change his tactics who break out his own spinning rod and jig. Within a few minutes he has a beautiful 4.5# fish flopping on the deck. The bite became very steady for the next 90 minutes and slowly but surely the crew filled the 5-person boat limit in addition to throwing back a couple of extra keepers.
The big thrill for the afternoon was when Vince’s spinner doubles over a second time and the fish starts zipping drag and swimming out and away from the boat. He was convinced it was a Striper, but I said that is how a big Tog fights in shallow water on light tackle. Sure enough, after a very spirited battle I slid the net under out biggest Tog of the season to date, a 7.75# slob. A few quick photos and the fish was released the fish to fight another day. So, my special guest was not only high hook, but he also took top honors for the best Tog of the trip. Great way to celebrate your 35th, Vince!
Today was almost the opposite side of the spectrum. I had the “Rod Professor” Al Goldberg and his friends Rusty, Mike, and Paul aboard, all very experienced anglers. Overcast skies with rain in the forecast and a steady SE breeze really limited the number of areas we could fish. Started on the north side of Plum and found the usual abundance of short Tog but Al does manage to put a nice 3.5# fish in the box. A little while later Mike adds a 17” keeper but as the ebb tide slowed down so did the bite.
We tried another slightly deeper drop a little to the west but only caught more short Tog plus one nice 3# Sea Bass. Now the SE breeze is really freshening so we headed further west into the Sound to seek shelter and hopefully a better bite. The flood tide was really pushing hard on the last drop and the crew needed up to 16 oz. sinkers to hold at times and try to catch the fish on some very light bites. The whole team worked hard but only managed to cull 3 more keeper Tog and one more Sea Bass, plus a surprise Triggerfish for the box. Pretty bumpy ride back to port but at least we did get in the day which may be the last one until next week with the continued terrible weekend weather approaching. Oh well, welcome to Blackfish season!
On Thursday I had our own Matt (Snapperhead), his friend Joe, and two great guys from southern NJ, Vince, and Adam. First off, let me note that both Matt and Vince are part of our law enforcement community and during these exceptionally tough times I am very grateful for their efforts to keep us all safe.
This was a special trip for Vince as his wife purchased it as a birthday present for him. Although he is an experienced fisherman, he mentioned his Tog efforts to date had been mainly off jetty’s. So our trip was his first shot at a serious boating Blackfish trip, “North Fork Style.” All I can say is he really made the most of his opportunity. We shoved off, predawn, as I wanted to catch the last part of the ebb tide on my favorite reef on the CT side. Matt got us started with a nice 17” keeper among many other short Tog and Sea Bass the rest of the crew kept boating. With a little persistence we did ultimately put 4 keeper Tog, same size, in the box here before losing the tide.
Next stop another popular nearby reef where the short parade began again but Vince managed to lead the way by boxing 2 more small keepers on this drop. Then it was time to move on to my #1 jig spot off Fishers for the real action to begin. Typical start with about 15 minutes of short action then Matt breaks off a real good one on his spinner. That encourages Vince to change his tactics who break out his own spinning rod and jig. Within a few minutes he has a beautiful 4.5# fish flopping on the deck. The bite became very steady for the next 90 minutes and slowly but surely the crew filled the 5-person boat limit in addition to throwing back a couple of extra keepers.
The big thrill for the afternoon was when Vince’s spinner doubles over a second time and the fish starts zipping drag and swimming out and away from the boat. He was convinced it was a Striper, but I said that is how a big Tog fights in shallow water on light tackle. Sure enough, after a very spirited battle I slid the net under out biggest Tog of the season to date, a 7.75# slob. A few quick photos and the fish was released the fish to fight another day. So, my special guest was not only high hook, but he also took top honors for the best Tog of the trip. Great way to celebrate your 35th, Vince!
Today was almost the opposite side of the spectrum. I had the “Rod Professor” Al Goldberg and his friends Rusty, Mike, and Paul aboard, all very experienced anglers. Overcast skies with rain in the forecast and a steady SE breeze really limited the number of areas we could fish. Started on the north side of Plum and found the usual abundance of short Tog but Al does manage to put a nice 3.5# fish in the box. A little while later Mike adds a 17” keeper but as the ebb tide slowed down so did the bite.
We tried another slightly deeper drop a little to the west but only caught more short Tog plus one nice 3# Sea Bass. Now the SE breeze is really freshening so we headed further west into the Sound to seek shelter and hopefully a better bite. The flood tide was really pushing hard on the last drop and the crew needed up to 16 oz. sinkers to hold at times and try to catch the fish on some very light bites. The whole team worked hard but only managed to cull 3 more keeper Tog and one more Sea Bass, plus a surprise Triggerfish for the box. Pretty bumpy ride back to port but at least we did get in the day which may be the last one until next week with the continued terrible weekend weather approaching. Oh well, welcome to Blackfish season!
