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Post by fishscale on Sept 3, 2012 17:15:40 GMT -5
My favorite part of togging is knowing when to swing for the fences. When I fish most other species like porgies, weakfish, sea bass and ling i just give it a smooth steady lift to feel the connection....
Now when I'm blackfishing I almost never swing at those first scratches (unless using hermit or clam) but instead wait till I feel that deep tug after the 3rd hit or so. When I swing, I swing hard and with confidence as if there will be know miss. Sometimes you never feel that deep tug cause they already sucked the crab in their mouth and are sitting with it. When i detect that weight on the other end of my line thats when I also set the hook...
Blackfishing is not like catching sea bass. Put a talented togger on your boat and he will out fish you 90% of the time. Every season I make it a point to step up my game a bit...
I'd like to hear from some other experienced vets what triggers off that hook set and what approach you take to sticky bottom togging??
Less then 30 days until game day and I got the itch bad...
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Post by jackson on Sept 4, 2012 10:07:12 GMT -5
Everyday is a different bite. Sometimes they almost rip the rod out of your hand, sometimes they will give you a very light scratchy bite. No matter what type of bite, you must know when the fish is committed to the bait. Wait for a lingering bite then swing away.
Getting the right bite is another story. Rig and bait presentation is obviously a factor. Rods, line, braid, mono, single hook, snafu etc. If this is correct based on the give variables for that day, the key to getting the right life is maintaing contact with the bait but at the same time leaving a bit of slack in the line so the tog doesn't feel the tightness of the line when he starts to eat. This can be tricky on rough days. Once you master this technique you will improve your game greatly.
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Post by captrichie on Sept 4, 2012 12:25:35 GMT -5
Everyday is a different bite. Sometimes they almost rip the rod out of your hand, sometimes they will give you a very light scratchy bite. No matter what type of bite, you must know when the fish is committed to the bait. Wait for a lingering bite then swing away. Getting the right bite is another story. Rig and bait presentation is obviously a factor. Rods, line, braid, mono, single hook, snafu etc. If this is correct based on the give variables for that day, the key to getting the right life is maintaing contact with the bait but at the same time leaving a bit of slack in the line so the tog doesn't feel the tightness of the line when he starts to eat. This can be tricky on rough days. Once you master this technique you will improve your game greatly. yes you hit the nail on the head..some day hard bite other day soft ... |
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Post by captainjp on Sept 5, 2012 20:51:31 GMT -5
One of my favorite things about catching blackfish is figuring out the bite on a daily, or even spot by spot basis. Like was said, somedays it seems that as soon as it hits the bottom they engulf it and swim away with your sinker and some days you gotta quarter your crabs just to get a bite, leave the legs on, take the legs off, green crabs, orange crabs, asian crabs, a thousand different little intangibles that are constantly changing that you have to adapt to.
One other thing that will never cease to amaze me is the difference a few feet can make. I'm sure we've all seen someone absolutely put a hurting on em and the guy next to them catches nothing, can't even lose a bait, it will never cease to amaze me. We've had days with 200 fish on the boat and somehow someone has none, how that's possible I don't know but it happens.
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Post by captrichie on Sept 5, 2012 21:12:23 GMT -5
It more than when to set the hook ..Line , rig, hook & rod all come into play...
I fish a one hook short mono leader rig with two pcs of crab on the hook...Give them something to come back for...4/0 hook...
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Post by fishinguy on Sept 6, 2012 8:09:43 GMT -5
Wow a lot of great info on here. I can use all the help possible, I've only black fished once did fairly terrible.  But I plan on going at the start of Nov. so hopefully I'll have sometime to get a few practice sessions in.
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Post by jc30967 on Sept 6, 2012 16:56:17 GMT -5
What JP described is why i love toggin so much, for me it's second only to codfishing as far as preference goes  . I will add that blackfish frequently behave differently in different locations, so it requires adjustments in tackle, rigging, bait, techniques in order to consistently score. (As an aside, although I know there are those who disagree, one thing I really like about not owning my own boat and following the fishing in different locations, even out of state, is that you have to learn what works in a given area in order to have a successful trip. You aren't narrowly focused on one small location.). For example, Snafu rigs, while often excellent in areas to the west like 17, often do not work nearly as well in certain parts of the Sound,and I have never seen them be that effective out on the North Fork due to the stronger current there than in most other areas. While I love my slightly trimmed Inshore Heavy for shallower toggin on less sticky pieces like rockpiles, I would never use it when fishing down in Maryland, due primarily to the chance at some true slobs, and that there are some very sticky pieces down there. On and on we can go! You can read about toggin ( or any fishing) all you'd like, and ask those with more experience questions, and that will point you in the right direction.But to truly get godd at it, the one and only thing to do is just get out there and do it! |
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Post by bingorb on Sept 6, 2012 17:14:37 GMT -5
I usually wait until I have no bait left to swing!  Cant wait for the water to cool off. Its almost time! |
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Post by fishbone on Sept 6, 2012 17:17:58 GMT -5
I agree with JC as far as rigs. For me its all about what I feel most confident in when I'm ready to set the hook. Alot of guys prefer the snafu out of SHB but I never really got comfortable useing it. So the most important aspect to blackfishing for me is to use the rig that you have most confidence in!!
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Post by italianfisherman on Sept 7, 2012 8:10:05 GMT -5
I agree with JC as far as rigs. For me its all about what I feel most confident in when I'm ready to set the hook. Alot of guys prefer the snafu out of SHB but I never really got comfortable useing it. So the most important aspect to blackfishing for me is to use the rig that you have most confidence in!! i agree.. |
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Post by fishscale on Sept 8, 2012 15:05:13 GMT -5
I remember fishing on the Ocean Eagle a few years ago 4 spots from the head of the bow. I must have watch this dude Augey and Spencer going toe to toe slamming 6-10 pound slobs on the deck while I struggled for a few keepers fishing right next to them. It came down to the details some of you mentioned as far as rigs, leaving a bit of slack in your line and bait presentation. When to set the hook is a subject on its own. That was the day I told myself I have a lot to learn and made sure I picked up the game quick so I wouldnt be left in the dust ever again.
I will always respect those guys from the "bay" for their tough love and for making me step up my game!!
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Post by fishinguy on Sept 11, 2012 21:20:22 GMT -5
Alright I guess after reading all this useful information I guess it's time to buy a small beginners setup and put this knowledge and techniques into play. Just gotta wait or opening day |
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Post by fishscale on Sept 11, 2012 22:39:09 GMT -5
Alright I guess after reading all this useful information I guess it's time to buy a small beginners setup and put this knowledge and techniques into play. Just gotta wait or opening day I had my two best togging trips with Mr. Jackson on the 6 pack MJ charters That would be the way to go brotha |
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Post by fishinguy on Sept 11, 2012 22:43:38 GMT -5
Alright I guess after reading all this useful information I guess it's time to buy a small beginners setup and put this knowledge and techniques into play. Just gotta wait or opening day I had my two best togging trips with Mr. Jackson on the 6 pack MJ charters That would be the way to go brotha Yeah I was thinking of doing a split blackfish/striper trip with Richie. I normally do only early trips but I want and need to sharpen them black fishing skills. I hear and seen some videos/photos he's pretty good at black fishing. |
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Post by fishscale on Sept 11, 2012 22:54:57 GMT -5
I had my two best togging trips with Mr. Jackson on the 6 pack MJ charters That would be the way to go brotha Yeah I was thinking of doing a split blackfish/striper trip with Richie. I normally do only early trips but I want and need to sharpen them black fishing skills. I hear and seen some videos/photos he's pretty good at black fishing. This is from my last trip with Capt Richie on 10/2/11   |
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But I plan on going at the start of Nov. so hopefully I'll have sometime to get a few practice sessions in. 
<-- I can do this all day..
. I will add that blackfish frequently behave differently in different locations, so it requires adjustments in tackle, rigging, bait, techniques in order to consistently score. (As an aside, although I know there are those who disagree, one thing I really like about not owning my own boat and following the fishing in different locations, even out of state, is that you have to learn what works in a given area in order to have a successful trip. You aren't narrowly focused on one small location.). For example, Snafu rigs, while often excellent in areas to the west like 17, often do not work nearly as well in certain parts of the Sound,and I have never seen them be that effective out on the North Fork due to the stronger current there than in most other areas. While I love my slightly trimmed Inshore Heavy for shallower toggin on less sticky pieces like rockpiles, I would never use it when fishing down in Maryland, due primarily to the chance at some true slobs, and that there are some very sticky pieces down there. On and on we can go! 
Cant wait for the water to cool off. Its almost time!