How old are big tog???
 

This is a question for anyone who might know more about aging a tog than I do. Would anyone be able to estimate how old a 15lb tog would be? Is a fish that size older if it is caught in NJ vs MD due to the water temp? I've heard they grow very slowly so I was just curious if anyone would know. Also, the two jumbos that were caught on the osprey , think how old those fish were!

Re: How old are big tog???
 

A tog that big would be well past 20.. perhaps 25.. the very biggest tog over 20 pounds are in the 30 year + range... The average fish we catch say between 15- 18 inches are between 6 and 10 years old.. Personally, I am not sure they can withstand the pressure they are under... Nothing else to fish for in winter these days, puts the heat right on the broad shoulders of tog.. Also the fact that the live market for sushi/sashemi for them is relentless.. I fear hard times ahead in the blackfish population... I hope I am dead wrong... bob


http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/marin.../Blackfish.pdf

Re: How old are big tog???
 

Thank you for your information. I guess they only good thing is they are difficult to catch and the nj/ny area has so much natural bottom unlike the maryland fishery.

Re: How old are big tog???
 

We do have a lot of good bottom.. Problem is, we also have a LOT of boats, and a real lot of very good fishermen with a lot of time to fish... Years ago, winter tog fishing was a very small part of the rec fishery.. Today, its the only decent winter fishery.. The best thing that could happen for tautog is a strong resurgence in the numbers of Cod, Ling, and dare I say it, Whiting,,, The rec boats need other targets beside tog.. They simply don't grow fast enough, and I fear too many are being taken and eaten.. I applaud those that have been letting big ones go.... I personally would like to see "gamefish status" on Tog, but thats a pipe dream.. A more likely scenario would be potters and pinhookers getting the lions share, and paying the states or feds big money for the priviledge, while recs get a limit of 1 or 2.. I hope the stocks stay at a reasonable level.. If not, head and charter boat fishing will no longer be a year round business.... At least until we get a viable winter rec fishery back .. bob

Re: How old are big tog???
 

With all that said, the slow growing process and all, why is it never publicly complained about when someone kills a big tog BUT....... the time someone poses with two big stripers ALL hell breaks loose with how you shouldn't kill those big breeders and the declining striper fishery.
Just saying

Re: How old are big tog???
 

You trying to start trouble Whisperer? Don't make me come up there. Here's what happens some can be released and quite a few are. Others it's obvious that they will not survive so they are taken.

Re: How old are big tog???
 

Alright Joe, but I have been good all year.... well it's only been 21 days. Lol.
Just saying. I know it's "expected" anything over a 10 is a photo and release but sometimes you see picks of a lot of hogs and all everyone says is congrats. Post a 40 Lb old sperms shooting striper and you get 50 replies that you single handed have just depleted the entire future of our already declining striper fishery.

Re: How old are big tog???
 

I know what you mean brother. Nice to hear from you :D

Re: How old are big tog???
 

I asked this question to capt. Charlie of the charter boat Snappa out of Point Judith R. I. He is very knowledgeable about the tog fisherie and he said quote "there just isn't enough studies done on this species for a definite answer ". If anyone knows of a Web site or link on this subject please post.

Re: How old are big tog???
 

From what I have read, they grow much faster down south. Several MD 20 pounders, caught on Monty's boat, have been aged in the early 20's. I read that the world record fish was 22 years old.