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

[Leprechaun]

Hi Darth, so that reel is a variant of the Pluton/Ryoga reels of the late 90's/early 2000's. Here's mine as I purchased it from the previous owner, with the optional factory Daiwa "power handle" Installed. I have never had to change a single part in this reel - just regular tear downs and re-lubes and it still runs like a swiss watch, at least 15 seasons later. A great reel.

And here it is as I have it configured today, carrying Gomexus' finest machined 120mm aluminum handle/30mm knob combination. It's a bit scuffed up now - a product of many years of blackfishing. I call it "tog beauty markings":

It rides on a now-discontinued Daiwa Proteus SS Heavy (PRSS64H), which I consider to be the finest factory inshore tog rod I've ever owned - and I've owned plenty. Just wish it had more substantial guides. Have to be careful carrying it to/from the boat, bundled with my other rods. A bit of a pain, but this rod is well worth the extra effort, believe me.

 

[DarthBaiter]

Yes, it's based on the old Ryoga but alot more hefty.

My Ryoga with a Gomex handle and the Saltiga BJ on a Blackhole rod. I wish they would make a saltiga with a thumb button and no level wind but untill they do these are my favorite reels for inshore fishing.

 

[Leprechaun]

Your Ryoga is a 200-series or the more compact 100/150-series? Because the Pluton (originally called Ryoga in Japan) was released here in the USA only in the 200 series, and its my understanding that it is equivalent to the later Salty Bay Jigger, which you own. I may well be wrong, but I don't believe so.

In any case, by any name, in any size, these are among the best light tackle baitcasters that were ever built. Maybe they are the best!

Man, look at us talking about rare, esoteric tackle that most have never seen or even heard of.

You remind me - of me!

 

[Leprechaun]

Almost time to make the donuts! Crab caddies scrubbed and ready to go!

 

[DarthBaiter]

Hit the Sound for the opener and had non stop bite. Mostly 12 to 15 but managed to get 2 keepers. 16 1/2 and a 18. Green crabs in 18 to 23 feet of water.

 

[longcast]

Fish the blackfish open on the south shore today. Started good, great action but quickly lost the tide. Once slack and outgoing started it was over. Put three in the box. Ran the beach as we heard the bass were chomping hard earlier in the day. They be gone when we got there. Nice day with my son and brother in law.

 

[longcast]

Fish the blackfish open on the south shore today. Started good, great action but quickly lost the tide. Once slack and outgoing started it was over. Put three in the box. Ran the beach as we heard the bass were chomping hard earlier in the day. They be gone when we got there. Nice day with my son and brother in law.

View attachment 85935

 

[DarthBaiter]

Pulled in fish all day. Jigs rigs it really didn't matter, they were chewing.

Weapons of mass destruction.

 

[Leprechaun]

Fished a local reef with Kevin/Longcast in a good-sized swell yesterday. Had 50 fish between us. Just three legit rec keeps and a couple of big biscuits. Kills me throwing back really fat 15.75" fish. I believe the near-full moon and swell threw off the better-sized fish bite. Kevin looking all serious with a nice biscuit -

 

[Leprechaun]

How’s about blackfish Pizziaola with Spaghetti? Extra olives, (imported Italian black and Greek Kalamattas), sliced Italian hot peppers, capers, oregano and lots of onion and gaaarlic, of course!

 

[Snapprhead27]

O my that looks amazing!!

 

[captmike28]

We took full advantage of a great weather window this weekend to satisfy 2 different groups of charter customers on the Tog grounds. Although the bite has already been very steady in several locations, I chose to work my favorite drops in the vicinity of Fishers Island and it proved to be a good move.

Saturday’s crew of Vinnie, Frank Jr., Frank Sr. (aka “the Legend”) and Jason joined me for an early morning start in a very shallow drop of 20’ on the west side of the island. Action was very hot right out of the gate on the start of the flood tide. The crew spent a couple of hours sorting through at least about 40 fish to put 4 keepers in the box to 17.5#. Of course, Frank Sr. had the first crack at putting a serious Tog in the boat but the fish’s strong surges allowed it to gain its freedom mid-way through the battle. Also decked were about 15 short Sea Bass.

Next move a little further north to a 50’ drop found a continuation of the short Tog and Sea Bass parade, but Vinnie finally found the first good fish, a solid 4# beauty to bolster everyone’s confidence. But soon the shorts took over again so it was time to move on to my favorite jig stop where the guys did most of the damage for the rest of the trip. In a little under 40’ of water the shorts were soon replaced by nice sized keepers in the 17-18” range until the “Legend” finally sets the hook in a real fat fish, just under 6#. The bite continued to be very solid and by the time we had to leave the guys boxed a boat limit of tasty Tog and threw back 3 more keeper sized fish. As is often the case on this drop at least 3-4 really big bruisers jumped on the baits and broke off after some very serious battles!

Today’s crew of Lanny, his son, and friends founds us start once again in the Fishers shallows with a steady diet of shorts but a few more keepers mixed in this morning. After about 90 minutes the guys had boxed 5 keepers in the 16-17” range and one keeper Sea Bass among many other shorts.

From there we headed straight back to the scene of Saturday’s strong finish and boy were the Tog really growling. Just a couple of shorts and then the big fish really came on strong. Several really fat 3-5# fish found the box until Bruce gets a massive hit on his spinning outfit that almost took the rod out of his hands. However, he did a masterful job and soon the 3rd largest Tog ever landed on my boat hit the deck at an impressive 11.75#!! Despite his very serious look in the photos, I can tell you he and everyone aboard were smiling, shouting with amazement, and high fiving for quite some time.

Th furious bite continued for the next 2 hours and the final tally was another full boat limit with a few other 4-5# fish landed and at least another 10 more keepers released as we cleaned the catch before heading home.

So, it looks like Tog season is off to an explosive start for us on the Captain’s Table. All we need is some continued good weather and I can envision many more happy crew members having a great time and going home with many prized Blackfish filets!

Capt. Mike

 

[Matts]

I took my buddy fireman Joe and his girlfriend Pat blackfishing this weekend. Pat had never caught a blackfish, but by the end of the trip she explained that she now knows why people enjoy catch and release. The fish bit ferociously and continuously till it was time to go in for lunch. Even two newcomers had no problem keeping their rods bent all morning. For dinner, Pat made delicious steamed blackfish in scallion ginger sauce.

 

[DarthBaiter]

Got out for a few hours today with some new gear.
I've been down sizing all my tackle for the Western Sound for years and this is what I settled on for shalllow water jigging with 1/2oz to 1 1/2oz jigs.

It's a Dobyn's Rod SUF 691C with a Curado BFS. The Curado isbone of the smallest bait caster I've ever owned...maybe a bit smaller than my Tatula 70...
The rod is rated for 2-8 lb mono and 1/16 - 5/16 oz lures. I put 15lb braid on it with a 20lb flouro leader.
Caught a 19" tog with it today and it was a blast.
My spine surgeon said no heavy lifting so this set up is perfect.

 

[OVERBORED]

Thanks for the reports and tackle porn!

This is the first tog season I'll miss due to hip replacement surgery.

I enjoy reading about everyone's success. While I'm not out there, I'll be trying rigs for my buds and busting balls from afar!! Lol

 

[Snapprhead27]

Got out for a few hours today with some new gear.
I've been down sizing all my tackle for the Western Sound for years and this is what I settled on for shalllow water jigging with 1/2oz to 1 1/2oz jigs.
View attachment 86161View attachment 86162View attachment 86163
It's a Dobyn's Rod SUF 691C with a Curado BFS. The Curado isbone of the smallest bait caster I've ever owned...maybe a bit smaller than my Tatula 70...
The rod is rated for 2-8 lb mono and 1/16 - 5/16 oz lures. I put 15lb braid on it with a 20lb flouro leader.
Caught a 19" tog with it today and it was a blast.
My spine surgeon said no heavy lifting so this set up is perfect.

I bought this setup last year to mess around with Tog St Croix Mojo Inshore JIC70MF 7' Medium Power, Fast Action 8-17lb, 3/8-3/4 oz with a Valiant Accurate 300. I'll be testing it out this Friday. I can't imagine how light your setup is.

 

[DarthBaiter]

I bought this setup last year to mess around with Tog St Croix Mojo Inshore JIC70MF 7' Medium Power, Fast Action 8-17lb, 3/8-3/4 oz with a Valiant Accurate 300. I'll be testing it out this Friday. I can't imagine how light your setup is.

I was out today and fished the Ultra Light Dobyns rod all day. Had fish to 19 inch and it was a blast. I had the drag cranked down on the Curado and it was singing with anything over 14". I had 4 keepers and a few dozen under 16". Even the shorties put a bend on the rod and it was fun.
The only thing is, I wish the reel seat didn't have a trigger and the rear grip was 3-4" longer. Might modifybit this winter.
My buddy had his Go Pro on, I'll ask him if he got any good footage of the rod action.

 

[Snapprhead27]

I was out today and fished the Ultra Light Dobyns rod all day. Had fish to 19 inch and it was a blast. I had the drag cranked down on the Curado and it was singing with anything over 14". I had 4 keepers and a few dozen under 16". Even the shorties put a bend on the rod and it was fun.
The only thing is, I wish the reel seat didn't have a trigger and the rear grip was 3-4" longer. Might modifybit this winter.
My buddy had his Go Pro on, I'll ask him if he got any good footage of the rod action. View attachment 86227

See, I'd be afraid of cranking the drag down on such a light rod

 

[DarthBaiter]

My friend posted this. I'm the one with the hunched back from the surgery last week.
I lifted all the keepers and had no worries about the rod breaking at all. Felt very solid.

 

[george]

That video was great @DarthBaiter . You guys are quite the team!