Post up up your 2019/2020/2021/2022 Blackfishing Pix/Reports/Adventures/Musings

[Leprechaun]

Worked hard, but couldn't duplicate the prior trip's results. Full moon? Maybe. Who knows?

Ehhh, sometimes you're the blackfish, sometimes the crab. It happens.

 

[Chinacat]

I had an opening in my busy charter schedule today and gladly accepted an invitation to do some South Shore Tog fishing with my good friend, Lep. Since Pete had a solid trip just two days ago, we anticipated a repeat performance. Of course, the Blackfish had other ideas!

We ran back to the drop that was so consistent for Pete on Tuesday only to find a very slow start for the first 30-40 minutes. Then came the typical light, scratchy bites but it was still hard to connect with anything other than a few small Tog and Sea Bass. I lost faith in conventional set up so I reached for my Spinning rod and sent a 2 oz. jig down next. Although I did enjoy catching a steady stream of Tog on this lighter outfit the fish sizes still did not change.

Pete did everything he could shifting around both this drop along with 2 other spots tried but the big fish just seemed to be hiding today. At about 2 p.m. we started to get another round of steady Tog bites with many short fish caught but the best we could muster today was just 2 small keepers out of a total of around 40-50 fish.

Regardless of the results it was still a nice day on the water with a fellow fisherman. We will get them next time!!

Spending day on the water with a great friend is really what its all about!!
If 2 of the best local fisherman around couldn't find them, they weren't there ?‍
I feel sorry for the fish the next time the 2 of you team up for another shot at them

 

[Matts]

Last year I was fishing near some big rocks in my end of the Western Sound, when I was surprised to hook something big, and it cut me off on the rocks. I thought I'd give that spot another try.
Action was a little slow, with mostly tiny fish - then I hook something that doesn't budge after I set the hook on my 3/8 oz jig.
I don't want a repeat of last year, so even though the drag is slipping, I walk to the side of the boat farthest from the rocks, and thankfully the fish turns and heads for the deeper water, away from the rocks. The fish is fighting hard, but not making long runs. I get it up to the surface and can't believe my eyes. I was expecting something in the 4-5lb range, but this blackfish looked as big as a striper in the water.
Now I've got to walk around to the other side of the boat, as my net is behind the door of my center console, collapsed and in need of extension.
Somehow, I keep the line tight, as the monster is happy enough to stay 10' or so from the boat; but it won't come any closer to net. I begin to realize how hard it is to slide the fish to the net with my light spinner in one hand and the net in the other. Eventually it slips into the net and I just need a moment before bringing it in.
10.5 on the boga and 25.5 inches. A few quick solo pics and a big splash in my face from its tail as it swims away. A boat record and more meaningful than my first DD on a RI charter.

 

[OVERBORED]

Great fish and even better play by play!

Congratulations!

 

[Snapprhead27]

Congratulations and nice job on send off!

 

[Chinacat]

WOW...
Thats awesome
I like the part about the release. That must've felt great!

 

[captmike28]

Last year I was fishing near some big rocks in my end of the Western Sound, when I was surprised to hook something big, and it cut me off on the rocks. I thought I'd give that spot another try.
Action was a little slow, with mostly tiny fish - then I hook something that doesn't budge after I set the hook on my 3/8 oz jig.
I don't want a repeat of last year, so even though the drag is slipping, I walk to the side of the boat farthest from the rocks, and thankfully the fish turns and heads for the deeper water, away from the rocks. The fish is fighting hard, but not making long runs. I get it up to the surface and can't believe my eyes. I was expecting something in the 4-5lb range, but this blackfish looked as big as a striper in the water.
Now I've got to walk around to the other side of the boat, as my net is behind the door of my center console, collapsed and in need of extension.
Somehow, I keep the line tight, as the monster is happy enough to stay 10' or so from the boat; but it won't come any closer to net. I begin to realize how hard it is to slide the fish to the net with my light spinner in one hand and the net in the other. Eventually it slips into the net and I just need a moment before bringing it in.
10.5 on the boga and 25.5 inches. A few quick solo pics and a big splash in my face from its tail as it swims away. A boat record and more meaningful than my first DD on a RI charter.

Fantastic battle and fish together!
Congratulations on a terrific catch and sporting release!!!!

 

[cany]

Excellent report thanks for sharing

 

[captmike28]

The combination of good weather, nice sea conditions ad water temperatures now in the mid to upper 50’s set us up for a 3 day stretch of boat limits of nice Tog which only required a single drop each day!

Friday, I had the James party join me and although the SW wind was forecast to start blowing steady in the afternoon our start in the morning was wonderfully calm. We headed straight to my favorite reef on the CT side of the Sound and set the hook on a nice rocky patch in 50’ of water. Almost immediately the short Tog life began but soon a nice mix of 16-18” keepers began finding their way into the box. Despite getting a slow start, Abdel finally connected with a fat 5.5# fish that wound up winning him the private pool among his friends. The steady action continued right up to then end of the ebb tide as we approached a boat limit. Then the flood began and the strong SW breeze really kicked in setting up a nasty wind vs. tide situation complete with curling 3’ waves. Even though we had slid off the main structure the fish kept biting until the conditions became too uncomfortable to continue fishing. We did seek some shelter on the north side of Plum Island and picked away at a few more Tog while I cleaned the catch of the day.

Saturday’s saw conditions were much nicer so I took the John party right back to the scene of Fridays success. The Tog were right where we left them on Friday and once again the crew did a great job of sorting through the many shorts to put together a boat limit of fish to 5.5# once again by 11:30 a.m. This time the group wanted to play a little more C&R with their light jigging tackle so we moved inside to a nearby drop in only 20’ of water. While I cleaned the day’s haul the crew did manage to catch and release several more Tog including a few more keepers gently retuned to fight another day.

Today’s stellar sea conditions allowed me to take the Sal team to my favorite jig spot near Fishers Island. With the very light winds I just narrowly missed my prime numbers by about 100’ but a quick re-anchoring got us right on the real sticky stuff and soon the Tog were flying over the rail. With the quarter phase moon tides and the protected nature of this location, the crew was able to fish their light spinning rods and jigs all through the ebb tide. Sal started things off with a nice 17” keeper quickly followed by a second fish of similar size from his buddy Frank. Then Sal’s’ spinner doubles over and after a spirited battle, I slip the net under a beautiful 7# fish.

The bite continued for the entire ebb tide cycle with a few short lulls followed by a spurt of keepers. Overall, the quality of Tog today was better than we saw the prior 2 days with the top 5 fish of the catch ranging from 5-7#. So, there you have it… good weather, lower water temperatures and talented anglers produced a clean sweep of limits of tasty, hard fighting North Fork Tog!!

Capt. Mike

 

[longcast]

That is some great tog fishing!!!

 

[Tigashrk]

After I caught my limit of tog on Saturday I dropped my camera down to the bottom to see what was going on down there. I was a little surprised about the amount of life. Here’s a short clip.

 

[cany]

Thats so cool Thanks

 

[Togilator]

I released these 2 nice whitechins last weekend. They were caught using a 1.5 oz backwater bait glow football jig. Big fish was 12.2 and took 1/2 a white crab and the other was 10.5 and took a whole small white crab with shell on. They were taken up in Newport RI on the Bad Influence with Capt. Jeff Viamari. Unfortunately I lost something far larger than either either of these tog on Monday. It wasn't meant to be. I guess that's the chance we take fishing light tackle spinning rods with jigs for these beasts.

 

[Snapprhead27]

Way to go!!

 

[Flukinit]

Congrats Rob!! Sound and look like some great trips.

 

[longcast]

Those are some awesome tog!! Wow.

 

[captmike28]

Two great fish from the guy who lives up to his screen name every Blackfish season!!
Nice going, Rob. And Kudos on the releases!!!

 

[Leprechaun]

I released these 2 nice whitechins last weekend. They were caught using a 1.5 oz backwater bait glow football jig. Big fish was 12.2 and took 1/2 a white crab and the other was 10.5 and took a whole small white crab with shell on. They were taken up in Newport RI on the Bad Influence with Capt. Jeff Viamari. Unfortunately I lost something far larger than either either of these tog on Monday. It wasn't meant to be. I guess that's the chance we take fishing light tackle spinning rods with jigs for these beasts.


View attachment 70616View attachment 70617View attachment 70618

Wow Rob! Those are serious fish to take on any tackle, let along a relatively light spinning setup, so kudos! Can you describe your preferred spinning rod/reel/line, for the edification of the rest of us? Thanks, Lep

 

[Togilator]

Wow Rob! Those are serious fish to take on any tackle, let along a relatively light spinning setup, so kudos! Can you describe your preferred spinning rod/reel/line, for the edification of the rest of us? Thanks, Lep

Hello Pete, The bottom we fish up there is mostly natural bottom, we fish very few wrecks. The natural boulder bottom is generally more forgiving than wrecks so I fish light, probably to light. We still slice off plenty of leaders just not as many like on bridge/Highway rubble or man made reefs and wrecks. I have a plethora custom rods but find myself fishing the following factory rod setup quite often up North.

Daiwa Proteuss spinning rod number PRSS64LS

Shimano twin power 2500 FD with 5.3 gears and larger size handle

30 lb X-9 braid

4' of 40 IB fluorocarbon leader, sometimes tied direct to the braid. Other times with small swivel and soft bead above swivel. I am switching to heavier leader starting immediately.

Backwater baits football jig 4/0 HD hook from 1 to 3 oz glow jigs. We never catch dogs up there so all I use is glow jigs there.

Bait of choice-small to medium size White crabs. White crabs produce far more big tog than greens. Halves or wholes depending on the bite. Every day is different.

I switch up to the PROTEUS ML series rod and a heavier custom set up with a 4000 size reel when fishing with the jig down South. The L model is a really light rod for this fishing but it is very satisfying when you land a double digit on it. I have caught tog to 13.8 lbs on this set up. My goal is to land a 15 lb plus fish on it which I know that I had on the line Monday but the leader popped. I fish heavy drag and am not a believer of 15 and 20 lb braid. If I cant hold bottom with a 1-3 oz jig and 30 lb braid I will soak a bait on conventional gear. After losing that fish Monday and speaking with a friend who has caught some giants on the jig I am upping my leader to 50 lb minimum and may got 60 lb like he uses. Even if it means less bights I am done using 40 lb leader for the jig.

Thank you everyone for the nice replies. I will be back at it this Sunday/Monday.

 

[Snapprhead27]

Hello Pete, The bottom we fish up there is mostly natural bottom, we fish very few wrecks. The natural boulder bottom is generally more forgiving than wrecks so I fish light, probably to light. We still slice off plenty of leaders just not as many like on bridge/Highway rubble or man made reefs and wrecks. I have a plethora custom rods but find myself fishing the following factory rod setup quite often up North.

Daiwa Proteuss spinning rod number PRSS64LS

Shimano twin power 2500 FD with 5.3 gears and larger size handle

30 lb X-9 braid

4' of 40 IB fluorocarbon leader, sometimes tied direct to the braid. Other times with small swivel and soft bead above swivel. I am switching to heavier leader starting immediately.

Backwater baits football jig 4/0 HD hook from 1 to 3 oz glow jigs. We never catch dogs up there so all I use is glow jigs there.

Bait of choice-small to medium size White crabs. White crabs produce far more big tog than greens. Halves or wholes depending on the bite. Every day is different.

I switch up to the PROTEUS ML series rod and a heavier custom set up with a 4000 size reel when fishing with the jig down South. The L model is a really light rod for this fishing but it is very satisfying when you land a double digit on it. I have caught tog to 13.8 lbs on this set up. My goal is to land a 15 lb plus fish on it which I know that I had on the line Monday but the leader popped. I fish heavy drag and am not a believer of 15 and 20 lb braid. If I cant hold bottom with a 1-3 oz jig and 30 lb braid I will soak a bait on conventional gear. After losing that fish Monday and speaking with a friend who has caught some giants on the jig I am upping my leader to 50 lb minimum and may got 60 lb like he uses. Even if it means less bights I am done using 40 lb leader for the jig.

Thank you everyone for the nice replies. I will be back at it this Sunday/Monday.

Very nice. How do you like the 3oz jigs? I find that when I use 3 or 4 oz I can barely feel the bite and I never take hook up using those 2 sizes. Not sure if it's a leverage thing when going that high up on a jig head or what.