Big Tog

[Scotty]

Sunday DEC 20th, 2015 was one of those cold windy mornings, flying to the grounds on Dik Larson's center console with 3 die hard toggers (Dik Larson, Dave (Tats) and myself) all wrapped up for some action.* Dik says, "Someone is going to nail something big," on the ride down; and "I bet it's Scotty," or something like that (can't say on an open forum).*

*

Get to the spot and I start fishing half whites with one of those 2 hook snag rigs.* Even though some boats prefer them, I know Dik despises them.* After going thru about a half dozen crabs in the first hour, I figure I'll help to make the bait last and switch to a single hook tog rig.* Problem is that my pre-snelled Owner 5/0s were not finished and because my fingers couldn't move, and I asked Dik to tie a perfection loop on for me.* After re-rigging, I cut a half white w/ legs and drop it very slowly down.* Not 2 seconds later, game on.* This fish takes the bait, and I lift and the laminglass 1143 and it bends like it never has before (according to Dik) and he's seen me boat another 16+ fish before.* I tried to turn the handle but it wouldn't move; the fish was still free and eventually I get a quarter turn on it, then some more, then it starts to come up bucking and bumping with a lot of force. We had some very nervous guys waiting to see what happens.* As I'm reeling it up very slowly and Dave preparing the net, Dik say's, I hope you snelled that right.* Next thing, the fish sees the boat and tries to go down.* Pole goes parabolic, but no drag is pulled from the Newell 220.* A few cranks later, Dave swoops the tog up and all three of us yell "YEAH!!!"*

*

[Dave asked, what did it feel like after the trip and I told him like grabbing a freight train in full motion.* Best I could explain at the time].

*

Well, then comes the dilemma, save it for mounting or throw her back.* This fish was super healthy and was still very ready to go back home, so we took a few pictures, weighed it at 16 lbs and threw it back in.* Dave got it on video, but my releasing technique although perfect for the fish, was not very film worthy.* I didn't get the length or girth and now am very sorry we returned it so quick.

*

Needless to say, it was a great trip with a bunch of good quality tog (aka roasters).* Tats had a double keeper limit, Dik ten keepers and another four for me, only retaining allowable limit (oral)

.

[hookset]

Nice fish Scotty!!

[shrimpman steve]

Very nice fish and nicer release. Way to go Scotty!!!!

[the directa]

Nice job chop stix merry Christmas

[jlrotary]

Nice fish Scotty!

[hammer4reel]

Thanks for sharing a great story, and releasing a super fish for someone else to also have a chance at.

what size tip are you fishing on your 1143 ??

[CadiShackFishing]

Nice fish and C&R Scotty

[Man Workin]

Nice job

[dakota560]

Great report and phenomenal job on the release. Right call in my book....maybe you'll be rewarded with a 20 lber in a few years now that you know where the big girl lives. congrats on the catch of a lifetime!

[Joey Dah Fish]

Great story thanks congrats on the beast and cudos on the release. You can determine the length of the fish by scaling the photo . Blow it up measure your figure on your hand then measure your finger on the pic and then measure the fish in the pic and do your guzentas :) Merry Christmas Scotty !!!!

[kurtisb]

WTG Scotty!

[Chrisper4694]

Great to see more big saltwater fish released congrats! I'd like to see more big fluke released too!

[hartattack]

Awesome :)

[Gerry Zagorski]

What a fish Scooter!! Nice job on the release of the beast.

[Fisherman120]

Nice job Scotty.

[PaBeerGuy]

Sweet Scotty. Beautiful fat tog more than makes up for the day before, eh?:D

[sam18014]

was that the one on capt phill boat

[Scotty]

Thanks for sharing a great story, and releasing a super fish for someone else to also have a chance at.

what size tip are you fishing on your 1143 ??

Thx. 11 tip

[Scotty]

Thx everyone. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to all you guys and girls. Hope u all get a chance at a nice fish! I hope to get a big one w Jerry Fish Monger this Saturday :)

[Tony Cav]

Very nice catch and release rather than a hooked and deceased. Congratulations on a fine fish and thanks for a great story.

[hammer4reel]

Thx. 11 tip

That's what size I had my newest one built to.
It's been taking some getting used too. Not feeling all the scratching I feel with my other rods.
Wish I had gone with a 10

[Matt A.]

awesome fish dude. props on the release of such a trophy

[Scotty]

That's what size I had my newest one built to.
It's been taking some getting used too. Not feeling all the scratching I feel with my other rods.
Wish I had gone with a 10 I just bought a new 1143f blank and need to figure out the cuts. I was given the current rod and am thinking I'll do the same thing (i.e. 11 tip).

Interesting in that there are a lot of opinions out there, w/ many saying to go fatter. I'm inclined to think like you...

[hammer4reel]

I just bought a new 1143f blank and need to figure out the cuts. I was given the current rod and am thinking I'll do the same thing (i.e. 11 tip).

Interesting in that there are a lot of opinions out there, w/ many saying to go fatter. I'm inclined to think like you...

I think some guys only want to feel the real tugs . As I think anything fatter than an 11 and that's all you will feel.

My bigger tog never gave me that hard hit. They felt like static on the line just sitting there chewing ,not moving the line.
I don't think I would feel that with my current set up.

I'm going to have another made with a 10 for the days having a tougher bite. I went with the 11 on this one because half the guys I asked said use a 10 and the other half a 12.
Figured would be best of both with the 11

Looking to catch a slob like the one you just caught.
Congrats again

[Scotty]

I think some guys only want to feel the real tugs . As I think anything fatter than an 11 and that's all you will feel.

My bigger tog never gave me that hard hit. They felt like static on the line just sitting there chewing ,not moving the line.
I don't think I would feel that with my current set up.

I'm going to have another made with a 10 for the days having a tougher bite. I went with the 11 on this one because half the guys I asked said use a 10 and the other half a 12.
Figured would be best of both with the 11

Looking to catch a slob like the one you just caught.
Congrats again
Nobody is telling me to go w/ a 10. Some actually telling me I need a 14. I will sit down with my rod builder and we'll make the final call; no bigger than 11 though.

Regarding MY big togs. It was lights out immediately, they just inhale it, not thinking there is a hook tied to a line and rod and when I swing up on the 8'6" honey and reel six cranks in, they don't know what happened yet, then the rod's backbone kicks in.

1143s are very good. I never caught as many big fish till I received it from TimS. He is a very smart guy and the set-up of this rod, is very good. Everyone says its a surf rod, or too big, or whatever. I don't know. It just works.

Merry Christmas

[DaveTats]

Glad I was there to net and see you catch that fish. I think Dik and I were more excited than you were.

The release was epic

[Scotty]

Tats, wish we could all have been in the picture! Team effort :)

[shrimpman steve]

What is the number "tip" your talking about. Is it the gage of the rod at the tip?

[Scotty]

Not sure how they gage it...but we are talking tip

[Dollar Bill]

Great catch Scotty!

[hammer4reel]

What is the number "tip" your talking about. Is it the gage of the rod at the tip?

Here ya go measured in 64th of an inch ohttp://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy12/reelmusic/Mobile%20Uploads/CRB-Tip-Guide-Sizing-Gauge_media-1_zpsx7dr5px0.jpg (http://s773.photobucket.com/user/reelmusic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/CRB-Tip-Guide-Sizing-Gauge_media-1_zpsx7dr5px0.jpg.html)

[shrimpman steve]

Thanks Dan. That explains it.

Merry Christmas

[Sharkyispy]

Congrats on a great fish. Kudos for the release as well!

[Scotty]

Great story thanks congrats on the beast and cudos on the release. You can determine the length of the fish by scaling the photo . Blow it up measure your figure on your hand then measure your finger on the pic and then measure the fish in the pic and do your guzentas :) Merry Christmas Scotty !!!!
Thanks Joey! I will remember this and if I don't catch the 20 by 2020, I'll just do that! LOL

[Scotty]

Here ya go measured in 64th of an inch

I second Shrimpy