Black fishing

[newbie1111]

Looking to head out black fishing for the first time. I have a penn spinfisher v4500 on a beach runner 7' with 30 lb braided I use for fluking. Do u think this could handle black fishing on a partyboat? I really don't wanna upgrade until I know I can handle the cold and I know I enjoy black fishing. Also looking at what supplies I would need. I would probably heading out on the ocean explorer out of Belmar if anybody would like to give me a helping hand. Thanks for the help!

[darrenflynn]

Go conventional for bottom fishing

[newbie1111]

Unfortunately during the holiday season and working a low paying job before I receive my degree I can't afford a new setup. I normally surf fish or kayak fish and occasionally hop on a partyboat during the spring/summer/fall and don't want to fully commit to a whole new setup. Am I wasting my time and money trying to blackfish?

[blynch]

Unfortunately during the holiday season and working a low paying job before I receive my degree I can't afford a new setup. I normally surf fish or kayak fish and occasionally hop on a partyboat during the spring/summer/fall and don't want to fully commit to a whole new setup. Am I wasting my time and money trying to blackfish?

I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that beach runner is gonna make it real tough. You need a rod with a faster action to feel the bite, get fish out of the wrecks quickly, and handle heavy weights. I'd suggest looking around for a decent graphite rod. You should be able to get something decent for under 100 bucks, maybe well under (think tsunami air wave type thing http://www.tackledirect.com/tsunami-trophy-jigging-rods.html#). It will give you a fighting chance. Also, you will probably find it to be a much better rod for the other types of boat fishing you do.

The spinner is not ideal, but for a one time trip I wouldn't call it a dealbreaker.

[MVP]

Unfortunately during the holiday season and working a low paying job before I receive my degree I can't afford a new setup. I normally surf fish or kayak fish and occasionally hop on a partyboat during the spring/summer/fall and don't want to fully commit to a whole new setup. Am I wasting my time and money trying to blackfish?

You are not wasting your time blackfishing. Once you start you will be hooked especially if you like a challenge. Spinning gear is not ideal for blackfishing but will work. There are several boats that are good for blackfishing that are sponsors here. The OE is a great boat with one of the best captains and a great crew the will help a newbie. Winter blackfishing can be challenging so do not get discouraged. Once you get the blackfish bug you will be hooked for life.
Give me a call and I will let you borrow a conventional rod and reel setup and give you some rigs to get you started. I live in Cranford so call me to set up date and time that I would be available

Alex
201-741-1823

[HDMarc]

I agree, conventional is the only way to go for catching blackfish, but if you're not sure that winter fishing is gonna be appealing to you enough to commit to purchasing a new setup, hop on the Ocean Explorer and rent a rod for $5 and give it a go...you'd be surprised at how well many first time toggers do on the rental rods

[Sharkyispy]

Fish4life, when are you planning to go? I'm on the Ocean Explorer saturday and can bring an extra rod too if you don't want to rent one. Send me a PM for contact information....

[Gerry Zagorski]

As mentioned above, spinners are not the optimal set up for Blackfish and if your 7 foot rod is a surf rod, it likely has a very soft tip. Soft tips are great for casting distance since the tip loads up like a sling shot to help you cast. This however will work against you when you try to get a quick hookset on a bite and then try to pull the fish out of the wreck. You'd probably be better off fishing a rental boat rod.

Here is an article I wrote on Blackfishing. Hope it helps you. http://www.njfishing.com/NJ_Blackfish_Fishing.php

[Rottilover]

This is why this site is the best !! How nice are these guys? Going out of their way to help someone they never met. Nice going guys

[CancunPete]

Hey fish4life...come on down to the shop and I will let you use one of my own set-ups.....Or try any one of the sponsors on this site....we are here to help you ...Pete

[newbie1111]

Wow, you guys are awesome! Thanks for all the offers for letting me borrow your gear but I think I might give the rental rod a shot. It would be horrible if my freezing hands dropped one your guys rod into the water. I wish I would be able to hop on the boat this Saturday with those warm temps. I will probably be looking to head out after the new year unless something opens up but will definitely let you guys know when I'm going. Any gear I should bring other then scissors, weights, rigs? Thanks for all the help!

[Gerry Zagorski]

50 lb leader material and some patience

[dfish28]

Post up when you're going I'm between all of us at least someone may be on the same boat as you

[newbie1111]

I'm super excited to get out and test my fishing skills. Cancunpete I will be stopping by the shop to pick up some tackle hopefully you can give me some help and tips. I hope to meet you guys out on the water one day just look for the newb swinging away haha. Thanks to everyone that offered to lend me gear and a tips. Does the limit or season close after the new year?

[Harpoon]

I find I lose some dexterity in the cold weather with wet hands. Big bulky gloves are not good for togging and doesn't sound like you want to invest $ into specialized gloves. Bring some disposable latex/nitrile gloves as they will at least keep your hands dry without losing much dexterity. You can pick them up at most hardware stores like home depot cheap. You can wear the gloves by themselves, with other half finger gloves or under full length gloves.

"you ain't toggin if you aint cursing"

[Ismellfishy]

The OE is an awesome blackfish boat, you will have a blast gauranteed. If you dress properly, cold weather will be an afterthought because as soon as u start getting bit ut heart will start to beat plenty fast to keep you warm. get a big one and youll be warm all day.

Just a thought, after you buy weights, whiteleggers, get in the pool and tip the mate, the cost is almost the same as jumpingg on a 6 pack open boat that will provide you with all the bait and tackle you would need. However based on the AMAZING response from the board sounds like youll be all set!! Good luck and if you go on a weekday maybe ill see ya there!

[frugalfisherman]

Doesn't matter what kind of gear you use if the captain is working to put a special group of regulars over the fish. I'd hit the NK3 in PP. They have heated hand rails.