Forum/Inshore Tackle & Techniques/Post up up your 2019/2020/2021/2022 Blackfishing Pix/Reports/Adventures/Musings
Post up up your 2019/2020/2021/2022 Blackfishing Pix/Reports/Adventures/Musings
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!!
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!!
CaptainOriginal Crew1,853 postsSince 2018
According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the large blackfish, or Tautog, measured 36 inches long and weighed 25.78 pounds. The fish was caught by Aiden Cole while he was fishing with Captain Luke Wiggins aboard the Melissa Ann, allegedly in the Thames River.
View attachment 70025
It also proves that you don't necessarily have to go to RI or MD to catch the Tog of a lifetime!!!
CaptainOriginal Crew1,853 postsSince 2018
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.
Ehhh, sometimes you're the blackfish, sometimes the crab. It happens.
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
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 😎
At least I'm enjoyin' the ride.....
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,065 postsSince 2018
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.
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.
First MateOriginal Crew693 postsSince 2019
Congratulations and nice job on send off!
Commodore5,031 postsSince 2020
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.
Congratulations on a terrific catch and sporting release!!!!
CaptainOriginal Crew1,853 postsSince 2018
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
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
CaptainOriginal Crew1,853 postsSince 2018
T
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.
MateOriginal Crew93 postsSince 2018
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Post up up your 2019/2020/2021/2022 Blackfishing Pix/Reports/Adventures/Musings