New to Togging

[Hookmanski]

Last year at the NJF Christmas party, I won a shirt with a photo of a Tautog on it that reads "Fishing, I like that $**t". Well I've never caught a tog before so i feel like a poser wearing that shirt!! :D Looking to change that this season.

I read through the article Gerry has posted titled "Doing Battle with Blackfish" and i did give it a shot last year, with no success. I was using rigs and having issues with snags/tangles. I think this year i'd like to switch to jigs. While they might have more of a learning curve, I feel like they're a bit more fun to use. I have an 8ft MH rod that i think would work for tog.

I have seen some people start fishing for them on the rocks and canals already. My question is, is togging a daytime bite? Or do they also bite at night? I noticed the weather all week is going to be rough, and most of my saltwater trips are after work and after the sun sets. Not looking to keep them really, just looking for a tug on the line and some salt air in the lungs. Looking for something to do on these days where the wind is blowing at 20mph from the NE and throwing plugs into the surf is a bit tougher. Thanks in advance! Tight lines!

[nsc_tpt]

Subscribed to this thread.. i started last year with no luck yet for a keeper.. I used party boats for fishing so no idea on the Canals and Jetties....

[porgylber]

Trying to walk out on a jetty this week is nuts. The hard NE winds and strong tides make it dangerous. I know that waiting another week sucks...but unfortunately that’s what we have.
I’ve never caught a blackfish at night. In fact, I’ve never seen one caught at night. I believe that they are sight feeders.

[Chrisper4694]

I'm sure it's not impossible to catch them at night but i don't think i've ever heard of that either... If you want to catch them from shore, you'll have to get info from someone that's done it. I'd imagine it's a real pita with snags bottom fishing rocks from a static shore position though.

I'd highly recommend getting on a boat of some sort that's known for good tog fishing. They'll get you on some good spots, then you just have to worry about getting bit and winning the battle haha that's the tough part.

Once i started using a jig for tog, I now ALWAYS try to get away with it if i can. But, that being said, it doesn't always work; it's not always the way you're going to get them. You have to be ready with bait rigs too.

If your biggest issue was getting snagged try a lighter weight and a break away loop on it. so basically you'll snag just as much, but you won't have to retie the whole rig when you break off (just loop another breakaway and weight on, much less frustrating) and if you hook a fish you don't have to worry about fighting a snagged weight and a strong fish at the same time!

[MudCat08]

Hey man, I fish for tog from shore exclusively. The jetty bite has been going strong since September. They leave to deeper water once it gets too cold so get on them asap. They are generally a daytime fishery.
A few tips for you:
Slack water tide in clearer blue water is best. Muddier faster water can be tough.
If the ocean jetties are rough, fish the canal.
Stock up on hooks and weights cuz you're going to snag and lose plenty. Same with jigs if that's what you use.
If you snag every cast, move over a little.
Use a larger hook like 3/0 to cull for only bigger Blackfish.
Half a green crab works wonders. Cut the legs off, remove the top carapace.

Good luck! Post up a photo when you get your first tog.

[hartattack]

https://www.njfishing.com/NJ_Blackfish_Fishing.php

[Skolmann]

East end of the wall and jetty on the Pt. Pleasant side of Manasquan Inlet, Pt. Pleasant canal and the south jetty at Barnegat Inlet all good places to cut your teeth blackfishing from land.

In all my years of fishing, I’ve only seen 1 blackfish caught in the dark and that was on a magic hour fluke trip 10+ years ago.

[Cuz]

Be prepared for losing LOTS of tackle. Fishing on a charter boat would be my recommendation for a new/first time starter. You get first hand instructions from the captain and crew. Also, from other fishermen aboard. Plus the boat jumps from spot to spot until they find the mother load. Once you mastered the bite, I then would strike out on my own. They are difficult fish to catch most days. Even on wrecks, off the beach rock piles or reefs. It's like a marriage you love to hate! You get two good days and five that you hold your breath for hoping you don't get aggravated to death. Get a few trips under your belt with some experienced black fishermen. Then enjoy the fine taste they offer.

[rumster]

My advice to you is your better off coming up with a clean hook rather than swinging and missing... As you become familiar with how they feed it is commonly said wait for the good bite. Blackfish more often that not will pop it a couple of times before they suck in the bait... Rookies swing and miss vs guys that know the deal wait for the right bite and sink the hook followed by the fish digging for the bottom. Setting the hook with a solid lift and reeling is key.. No pumping necessary just hold the rod high and reel..... Anything less and the fish will take you for a rocky ride to the bottom. Good Luck.

[Chelsea-Sea]

Call Mark of Bluerunner sportfishing. He runs open boat fishing in fall you will learn from a pro!

[torchee]

I've caught a bunch of keeper blackfish this year from jetties. I often start before first light but never have any real luck until the sun rises.

Jetty fishing requires some special skills/practice. Even a 16" tog is a challenge to catch when hooked 10 ft away in shallow water. They run hard and your response needs to be instant as to not break it off.

Top of the tide helps as well - don't have to fight current and fish.

[jmurr711]

as the reigning queen of blackfish on this site let me make this suggestion to you. This time of year jetties & bridges all hold a wealth of tog just many are of the smaller variety but are a great time try & fish the last hours of the tides as current isn't as strong. I would recommend if you really want to get into the game jump on a 6pack as there is a better chance you will be on prime real estate vs a 100ft boat with 60 other anglers, with that said nothing is more fun than watching party boat sharpies.I have never caught a tog at night but early morning & before dusk seem to be the best time. lastly in the words of the the Legend LAB:

THERE ARE NO FISH IN THE CANAL

[Hookmanski]

Wow, thanks for all the info everyone! Defintiely noted about the nighttime bite, I'll leave my togging experiments for the daytime hours. If I can get down there during the day sometime soon I'll probably give a jetty/inlet a shot, and if not i'll definitely look for a 6 pack or party boat to try it out on, and ill bring both rigs and jigs.

Around when do they start moving out to deeper water? I think it'd be cool to get one from shore but I'd be happy wherever I caught one :D

[jmurr711]

every year is different some years we are in 30-50feet into early december sometimes we are in 80-90 all depends on water temp.