Improving the Blackfish bite or maybe not.

[Mattsea]

Got into a discussion while blackfishing the other day on whether tossing in the leg and shell trimmings is a good idea or a bad one. Some were of the opinion that you would just be feeding them and maybe shutting down bite or worse yet, drawing them behind the boat where the shells and legs would settle. Some felt strongly that the trimmings would act like chum and get the bite going or draw fish to the boat. Maybe neither actually matter. I've heard both opinions over the years and would like to know what some of the experts on this forum think.

[kurtisb]

I've see captain Chad take a couple dozen green crabs and smash them with a 2 x 4 in a bucket and then spread them around the boat. Sometimes it turns them on and sometimes it doesn't.

[Jigman13]

Depends on depth and current speed. Deeper water with moderate or better current--those crab pieces are gonna travel pretty far from where you're anchored before they hit bottom.

[hartattack]

Old Timer's Trick - - Collect all the crab trimmings, then send them down in a paper bag attached to hook, line, sinker. A few brisk jigs on that line will free up the paper bag and disperse the trimmings right where you're togging !!

I don't know if it really works or not but it sounds right ! :cool:

[Gerry Zagorski]

Old Timer's Trick - - Collect all the crab trimmings, then send them down in a paper bag attached to hook, line, sinker. A few brisk jigs on that line will free up the paper bag and disperse the trimmings right where you're togging !!

I don't know if it really works or not but it sounds right ! :cool:

Crab Bomb!!

[FlukinFun]

We use something called the "CHUM KING". We collect legs and shells then when somewhat filled send it to bottom and exploded it like the brown bag crab bomb.

[Optimist]

What works one day might not work the next. What works in the morning might not work in the afternoon. Conditions constantly change. I've thrown crab legs and had good luck.... sometimes. Look at a 35' oak tree and picture your boat at the top, the tog on the ground. It will take some luck to get the legs under your boat. Try and see what happens.

[MVP]

Chumming works even in deep water with fast current. Have seen it too many times especially with Capt in RI that we fish with. I have cut 100's if not thousands of fish that were loaded with the legs we drop over the side

Depending on area fishing if you are the first boat there and start chumming and get them going those fish in the area will say under your boat and others around you who set up later will be shut out from the bite

[Gerry Zagorski]

Chumming works even in deep water with fast current. Have seen it too many times especially with Capt in RI that we fish with. I have cut 100's if not thousands of fish that were loaded with the legs we drop over the side

Depending on area fishing if you are the first boat there and start chumming and get them going those fish in the area will say under your boat and others around you who set up later will be shut out from the bite

Hmmm - I like the way you think Alex ;)

[bunker dunker]

2x what mvp said,just got back from ri and its always the same up there.

[Boston Pete]

Funny, we were talking about this while fishing last Friday. I agree chumming works but we're fishing in 50-65' of water, if you have a med to fast current I can't imagine those legs/shells thrown overboard are anywhere near the spot you're fishing over. I would think a chum pot/bag/bomb is the safest way to go.

Last Friday we threw some legs over and they were 20 - 25' behind the boat and only 6-8' under the water. By the time those legs got to the bottom they were probably 400-600' away from the boat....the current was running pretty hard that day.
I just think it really depends on the day/conditions.

[MVP]

Chumming is an art. Not too much as you will be feeding them and not to little to loose there interest. Just enough to keep their interest as fish will line up working up chum line to find your crab.

[Mattsea]

Excellent comments and thoughts. I like the chum bomb concept. I will have to try that. Happy Togsgiving to all.