CT Togs Non FF 11/2

[ruge13]

Fished for Bass and Albies while the tide droped from 6am on. Slow moring for bass, albies made a showing but picky as usual. I had heard rumors of this years blackfish crop being a good one and have been waiting to give it a shot. With the numbers of smaller fish last year its good to see. So I hit some rock piles. Found plenty of silver dollar size crabs flipping rocks in about 15 minutes. Send them down with a 2oz bank sinker and a 5/0 hook and away we go. Only caught 2 or 3 small, 9-12 inch ones. The rest were all keeper size. Great to see. Kept 2 for the table. If you like Blackfish get out to your favorate rock pile. Highlight of the day was back at the docks, guy asks me how I did. Tell him my story and he waves me over to his cooler. I almost died. This fish weighed 10.6 lbs on my scale. taped out at 28". Monster. I didn't catch his name, but he was on his way to go have it officially weighed in.

[RIBill]

Shaun: great report as usual. Reel-time should set up a gallery exclusively to chronicle your exploits! keep the reports and pictures coming, the season is young!

:-%

[notime]

Shaun,

How deep was the water you were fishing? Did you anchor your yak?

[ruge13]

No anchor, I drift. But a drift sock would help, I don't use one. Most of the rock piles around where I look for them are surrounded by water thats around 30ft. Usually I can hide in the lee of the rock piles (since they stick out of the water at low tide) so current and chop are not too much of an issue. Its pretty easy fishing.

[notime]

Thanks. I may try some tautog fishing next weekend if I have the time.

[ruge13]

There were still a few around this weekend, Ray and I both got a couple good fish in a few hours.

[rockfisherman]

Ray and Shaun,

Nice to see you guys out there. You are hardier souls than I braving the elements that morning in kayaks.

The bass were mostly a first light deal and then they went down. So we switched our attention to togs.

Here's a pic of RI Bill with a nice one.

Nice hat, Bill. You should spring for one with a current logo, tho.

:rolleyes:

[RIBill]

new hat? no way! I wear that hat everywhere! I wear it to church, I wear it to work, I wear it to the gym, I wear it to the grocery store, I wear it to Fenway, I even wear it to bed if the wife is acting frisky!

For all that free advertising, you'd think that Sam or Mark would get me one of those nice Reel-Time beer mugs. I'd drink beer out of it everywhere, why, I'd take it to church...



:-%
:cool:

[RIBill]

here's a shot of son, Kristian, with another nice 'tog...

[RIBill]

and finally, to repay Paul's kindness in posting a picture of me in my fine RT headgear... here's a shot of him in one of his finer moments...

[notime]

Question to RIBill and Rockfisherman,

I'm itching to make at least one blackfish trip on a kayak this year. I said the same thing last year, but I'm more determined this year. I was thinking of hitting Narragansett bay as it's more protected than the open ocean. Based on an article I read last week in Fisherman's Magazine, I was thinking of fishing Comicut(?) Light off the sandbar. Any thoughts? Also, how long does the blackfishing normally last in RI? I can't make it this weekend, but hopefully next weekend. Not ready to put my kayak away for the season just yet.

Thanks for your help.

[RJ]

You RI guys have me all fired up. Blackfish tastes great. I will be stalking them on Monday, 11/17 in LI Sound.

I'm skipping Opening Day of Deer Season, just to put some Togs in the freezer.

There are plenty of deer here, so we will let the crowds stir 'em up and we will take our pick on Wed, Thurs or Fri.

Hoohaa!

RI B - what were you using to catch that monster. Paul seems to catch all the little guys! Why is that!

:-% --125-3

[rockfisherman]

RJ, skip opening day of deer to chase togs? Sacre' Blue! We were using half green crabs for bait, btw. I let the big ones go ;)

Notime, I don't know about the Sandbar up the bay. Togs generally prefer rockpiles, not sandbars.

[notime]

Sorry about the confusion. I meant I was fishing the rocks at Comicut(?) light. The light is not far from the sandbar, that's why I mentioned it. I think its in the town of Warwick.

[RIBill]

notime: yes, I've heard that Conimicut Light is a good toggin location, but I have no first hand experience there. in fact, I generally ignore the Bay for 'tog in the fall because I'm chasing bass and tog in the same outing when I go to the Rhody/CT border and Fisher's Island Sound. since you're used to heading down to Quonny, you might consider bringing bass and tog gear and heading down to Watch Hill or points just west where there is still some bass action to be had (send me an email if you want more specifics). Let us know how you make out up at Conimicut otherwise. Fish On!

RJ: how do? tog for the table! I'm surprised that you can break free from the new "ball & chain" for ANY outdoor activity! :-%

[rockfisherman]

Right...it is in Warwick. A pretty good rip sets up over that sandbar. Folks who have wade fished it have been washed off when the tide picks up. Watch the currents in the kayak.

[ruge13]

Paul...sweet looking boat you go there...but do you need all the muscle for the fish you catch?:p