Yeah, I can't do the whole congested mass of people thing, it drives me bonkers. It's going to be really warm (for December ) on Saturday, you guys should have a nice trip. Going after that big OE seasonal pool? Last year it was like 3200 bucks or something. Kinda makes me want to drop the 175 bucks for a bushel of hermits (wtf. for lobster pot by-catch...really?) and go out every day for a week, but alas, that ain't happening this year.
Didn't know about the pool KS... Probably not since this is our first year really Toggin and the OE has some pretty sharp togger regulars. Thinking on getting some white leggers AND some clams just in case we limit out on Tog. We're pretty good bottom fishermen and I think we'll do OK on the Tog. Got my 3/0 Mustad Octos and 8oz flats ready to rock. 30# floro leader and its time to go fishin!!!
Sounds like you're all set! Having some clams around can't hurt, but make sure you get leggers. As far as the seasonal pool, I think it's a one time entry for as many times as you go out with them all season. 20 iirc. Also, I think I found myself a solution to always having to track down crabs before the boat goes out. I'm going to put two big saltwater tanks down in the basement, buy a bushel or two of whites and hermits and just keep them in the tanks all season. The boat I use leaves by 6, so once the late fall comes and Gates's tackle isn't open at 4 anymore it can be a pain in the ass.
Update: The OE is having a private Tog tournament this Saturday so it looks like Sunday for this angler. Guess that means Hunny-do's on tap for Saturday and DVR the game on Sunday!
This might work out better for you in the long run. Same weather, less people on the boat. And the boats buying up the whites is exactly why I need tanks in the basement!
Yeah, the Mohawk is known for having WhiteLeggers available. I wonder if they show up early and clean the bait store out. I'll find out Sunday Morning. I'll call the bait store on Sat to see if I can get several dozen put to the side jic.. Really looking forward to the Tog Challenge!
I think they have their own source for crabs from the docks. Those guys don't seem like they'd ever rely on a bait store haha. Go catch em up man, take pics!
He was my first keeper Tog! 2keepers out of 4 fish boated on a tough day. Think I'm gonna name him "George"...
Nice! George looks like he's going to be a tasty little sucker haha. I'm glad you guys were able to pull out some keepers, OE's a big boat. The weather was really nice, they must have been pretty crowded. I find myself going on open boat charters for tog. It's the same price (70 plus tip ), the boat is smaller and only 15 people on the boat. The only downside is they usually run on weekdays., because the boat's booked on the weekend and you need to call and reserve a spot. But yeah togging's a lot of fun once you get the hang of it and 4 fish on your first trip is pretty good. First time I went I think maybe I caught 1. And the last time I was out I watched a guy who's been doing it for probably 40 freaking years swing and miss all day. He wasn't even drinking ( although maybe it would have helped .) How'd you guys set up, Belmar rig on #30 floro?
KS, the weather was TOO nice if that's possible! Pretty warm out there with little current. The way OE set up on the wrecks, the front and back of the boat did the work while the middle of the boat got shut out for the most part. I was in the back on the rear rail. If you look at the female next to me, she was damn near jigging until I had to ask her to knock it off and fish like the rest of us. She didn't realize that most likely she was scaring the fish off with all the activity she was generating. Finally, she settled down and before it was over, boated one fish which was a keeper. I was gonna move but there was no room up in the front so I stayed put. Pool came in at $600 as the boat had a big crowd. Pool winner was caught early on. First fish of the day up in the bow. Nobody limited out but there were a few with 5 and down from there so I came in about middlin. Pretty proud of myself! I used single hook Belmar rigs. As the day wore on and the current picked up, I went with a longer leader (15") and 10oz. We weren't in deep water either as it was probably in the 60ft. range at most. I used 3/0 Gami Octos snelled with 30# floro. Same for the top shot. I only lost 2 rigs all day too thanks to those flat sinkers! Managed to get myself unstuck quite a few times. More often than not, it was the hook that stuck instead of the sinker. The rest of it was just trial and error until you could get the fish dialed in. Damn Begalls were a pain in the ass but eventually, I could feel the difference between the bites and was able to time my swings better. Sometimes I'd crack the shell. Sometimes I'd peel part of the shell off and leave a piece hanging. I was able to bring 2doz whiteleggers on board which got me quite a few friends. Found out I'm gonna need a cheap pair of kitchen shears too. Those greens were fairly large and damn mean! LOL All in all, I'm hooked! Can't wait until my next trip. I have a BDay coming up in a two weeks so I'm thinking I'll go then depending on the weather. Wifey will make this next trip and I have a feeling she's gonna be really good at toggin too. Women outfished the men yesterday anyway. My new rig absolutely rocked out there too. Lighter rod and reel made it easy to work all day. Looks like you have another Tog aficionado on your hands! Much more challenging than SeaBass.
Sounds like you got it down pretty good, the rest is just practice.Glad to hear the lighter tackle worked out well, it's always more fun that way. The lady fishing next to you was almost definitely scaring the fish with her sinker tapping on the structure. One day I'm going to drop a Go Pro down on a wreck and fish in different ways to record how they react. I'm willing to bet the tog hate it. Yeah, the bergals are a pain, but I have this weird feeling like them picking at your bait gets the tog's attention or something. When you get your shears, try to get ones with as much metal in the handles as possible, the plastic handles break after a lot of whiteleggers. Also, don't forget your hermit bashin' mallet . They're definitely morefun than seabass. Seabass are like "It moved, let me kill it!" and the Tog are like "It moved? Do I look like a sucker to you?" haha
Quick question: Do you wash down your gear after a trip? I do and loosen the drag as well. Warm water and a sponge seems to do the trick. I don't use any soap at all. Just let the reel and rod air dry when done. Keeps the salt damage to a minimum and the gear looking sharp.
Absolutely. If I can spray them down at the dock I will, then once I get home (at the risk of sounding like a weirdo) I actually take all my gear in the shower with me. Hell, I'll even wear my Grundens in there to get them clean hahaha.
That's all I do, as well as OCD friends that fish 5+ days a week as a charter guide. Soap kills the lubes in the reel. Yep, Kerley youre a weirdo I had intentions of fishing from the yak yesterday, as we we had record high temps...... loaded up the night before and was at the launch at sunrise. Wind was already 15kts... and increasing bagged it and ended up cleaning up the yard and pressure washing There was no way I was sitting in front of the computer..... especially as it's raining today, then cool with 20kt winds the next few days
This winter is setting up to be a warm one for us on the eastern seaboard definitely. I'll be going out on my BDay on the 28th weather permitting and bringing wifey with me. She'll be a natural at Toggin since she has "the touch". Having "George" tonight for dinner! Not sure if I'm gonna broil or fry with Panko.
Overall, a very good tasting fish. I would say its better broiled than fried as the filets were thick and flaky. Next friday, it will be broiled Blackfish over rice pilaf. Definetly planning another trip before the limit drops back to 4 fish. Heard of some new changes in bag limits for 2016 too. Not good for fluke so if the OE and the other belmar boats don't wise up, I'll be on the Dauntless unless its seabass/blackfish season. I just don't understand why the Belmar boats don't take a lesson from the Pt. Pleasant boats and just bottom fish all summer. I've caught big Fluke on the Paramount while seabassing.but the upside is, I was guaranteed to come home with a freezer full of a variety of fish.
That sounds good, I think I might do that this week too haha. I've been told you can steam them, then cut them into fingers and eatthem with a nice spicy cocktail sauce like shrimp,. so I might try that too. I have so much fish in my basement freezer right now. I vac it up and it lasts forever. A lot of people really love to fluke for some reason. It's almost a cult or something haha. I'd rather bottom fish on a wreck too. It's almost like a summer tradition for tourists. Fluke during the day, blues at night. How many guys have you seen catch up a bunch of blues, then say he can't take them because he's in a motel? Lots for me. As far as the belmar boats, they'll fill the fluke niche until they can't, but I'm glad they're leaving more ling,cod, porgies,and seabass out there for us to pick away at haha.
No argument here. People will wise up especially if they implement even more draconian bag and size limits on Fluke in 2016. Any bets that's why the Dauntless stays packed all summer..?
