Tog Rod

[FDFisherman]

The rod I have been using the last couple trips is a Rogue Inshore Med-Heavy (17-40lb). Guys all around me catching but I'm not getting a sniff. Maybe I'm not feeling the hits with this rod? I use braid with a 10' - 50 lb mono topshot with a basic Belmar rig. 3/0 hook. I was using whites as bait like the others catching. I'm not a sinker bouncer either

Should I go with a lighter rod?

[tuna13]

are you getting bit and not knowing?
does your crab come back looking like it did when you dropped it?
what size leader to hook?

[FDFisherman]

Sometimes yes. My snelled hook leader is about 10-12".

[mickrazz]

Has nothing to do with the rod. That's blackfishing. The guy next to you catches and you don't. Happens all to often to all of us.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Think you're barking up the wrong tree here Vinn... I've been out pleanty of days where the sharpies who caught yesterday are the ones who stunk it up today.

If you want to test my theory, next time you're out with friends, switch poles with someone who is catching and see how you do. A lot of it is mojo, the exact spot your fishing on the the boat and my bet is the pole won't matter. Then again, I've been out with some people who consistently catch the most fish so all things being equal, sometimes it's the Indian, not the arrow....

Having said this, I think a 7 foot pole is the minimum I'd be fishing with and a reel that is balanced with the pole... Long fore and aft grip too. This helps you with slighter action of the wrists give to the seas to keep your sinker still with less effort.. Another foot of pole means with less wrist movement back by the reel, your pole tip is going to have more up and down movement to compensate for the seas.

I do find that a lighter rod and I mean the weight of the rod, not what it's rated for helps too. You can hold it more comfortably with a loose wrist, feel subtle bites better and not get fatigued like you would trying to steady a heavier rod.

Good luck and if you happen to figure it out, let me know because I'm still trying to figure it out too.

Thats tog fishing... Very humbling.. A hero one day and a hobo the next

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by FDFisherman

The rod I have been using the last couple trips is a Rogue Inshore Med-Heavy (17-40lb). Guys all around me catching but I'm not getting a sniff. Maybe I'm not feeling the hits with this rod? I use braid with a 10' - 50 lb mono topshot with a basic Belmar rig. 3/0 hook. I was using whites as bait like the others catching. I'm not a sinker bouncer either

Should I go with a lighter rod?

How heavy is the tip ??

I know that even if I like the action on a rod is the tip is too big I dont feel 1/10 the bites as I do on a little finer tipped rod

[bulletbob]

That happens when bottom fishing sometimes, not just tog either...
Been on several trips where guys on both sides of me were catching left and right, either tog or ling and seabass, and my clam or crab comes up looking the same way as it went down.. untouched, most of the day.. Tried different leader lengths, different hooks,, sometimes it just happens that way and no one can explain it. I would say leader length, composition,proximity and type of sinker, etc make a bigger difference than the rod if you aren't getting hit.. For decades all anyone used for blackfish were thick warclub style rods with the girth of a pool cue, clunky old 2 to 1 Penn boat reels, line that you could tow a light cruiser with, and hooks that had a tarred cuttyhunk leader.. Those rigs and rods caught tog.. Hi tech is "in" today, with guys using $600 rods and 6 to one ultra high end reels to catch bottom fish.. I have seen guys using those type rigs stink the place up, but a clubby painted solid glass rental rod user among them win the pool or just outcatch all his high tech neighbors.. I get down about it as well, but then one day its your turn to be "hot" and you forget about the humiliating trips... Until the next one... bob

[FDFisherman]

Seems since I started using this Rogue rod my bites have gone down bigtime, thats why Im thinking the rod might be too stiff or I just plain suck! Lol. I use an avet mxl with it.

I hear ya Mick, but it's been too many trips. Mick remember I snuck in by u yesterday? I didnt feel a nibble so I moved, not 15 seconds go by And u nail that slob. Lol

[go_fish]

My thoughts... I would make sure you do not have too much slack in your line. You also don't want to fish a tight line if it could cause your sinker to bounce. It is harder to feel the hits with a longer leader and or a heavier sinker. It is easier to fish vertically up and down rather then letting the line scope out from the boat.

Note that the boat will likely sway left and right on the double anchor. You will have to let line out or take line in to manage how much tension there is the line.

I can see the blackfish hits by watching the line. I am not sure that your fishing rod would be a problem.

Blackfishing is FUN! There is no substitute for experience on the water, get out there and have a great time!

[bulletbob]

bottom line is very simple.. If your crabs are gone consistently you are not feeling the hits.. Could be the rod I suppose, but more likely a leader length or line scope issue.

If your crabs are not getting hit, its a rigging issue, stinkin' bait, or simply bad bottom.. If you are over a big flat rock 10 feet by 10 feet, you'll feel it, but there's a good chance the fish aren't near it.. Also, I feel shiny silver hooks that flash may spook blackfish.. Just a theory.. i know porgies and sea bass don't seem to like them.. I do better with gold hooks for porgies and dark hooks for sea bass... i never use silver colored hooks anymore except for blues.... bob