2013 Blackfish results

[NoWorries]

Only 6 trips this fall toggin on boats in NJ. Lost a few to weather. Trips were 1,3,5,1,0,6. My worst year ever in many years of tog fishing. Been doing this a long time. Conditions were bad on most trips and bites were hard to get. South winds, wind against tide, stormy, you name it. There were others on those trips that scored better so ......... No good trips in my book. Lots of crap weather but my log for last year showed 14 trips thru Feb with better weather and much better results even with Sandy in the mix.

[Tunarun]

That's a nice thread you started. Hopefully no one will highjack it and start saying, see, if you fish with that guy etc you catch and with that other guy you don't. I believe a Capt brings one to a spot with the hope that u and I catch, he doesn't have a Crystal ball to guarantee it. I'm rambling on, sorry, it must be the coffee or the cold. lol As for 2013 for myself, I would give it ***out of ***** since I do most of my winter tog fishing in De and Md where there is a lot less pressure which helps Tremendously with ones ability to catch the Elusive Tog and Big Tog. I probably had limits on all my trips except for maybe two but nothing larger than 11lbs. I also fished recently on the OE, I think it was 12/3 and had 9 keepers, 2 Jumbos one shy of 10 lbs and the other shy of 12 lbs, then on the MaryM 12/27, just 2 but I had my chance to catch a few more but couldn't keep them on the hook, a Very Picky bite. Dennis

[Reelron]

Originally Posted by Tunarun

That's a nice thread you started. Hopefully no one will highjack it and start saying, see, if you fish with that guy etc you catch and with that other guy you don't. I believe a Capt brings one to a spot with the hope that u and I catch, he doesn't have a Crystal ball to guarantee it. I'm rambling on, sorry, it must be the coffee or the cold. lol As for 2013 for myself, I would give it ***out of ***** since I do most of my winter tog fishing in De and Md where there is a lot less pressure which helps Tremendously with ones ability to catch the Elusive Tog and Big Tog. I probably had limits on all my trips except for maybe two but nothing larger than 11lbs. I also fished recently on the OE, I think it was 12/3 and had 9 keepers, 2 Jumbos one shy of 10 lbs and the other shy of 12 lbs, then on the MaryM 12/27, just 2 but I had my chance to catch a few more but couldn't keep them on the hook, a Very Picky bite. Dennis

Whew! Scared me, for a minute I thought the thread got hijacked!

[jlrotary]

As far as NJ blackfish goes

Nov 16 last lady II 3 keepers
Nov 29 Fishstix 8+ keepers
Dec 8 ocean explorer 1 keeper
Dec 16 ocean explorer 5 keepers
Dec 27 FishTank 6 keepers
Dec 31 Monger 2 keepers


Outside NJ

Nov 2 private boat in DE 4 keepers
Jan 2 Morningstar in MD 5 keepers

[Blackfish Doug]

One word terrible the best day I had in NJ was 4 keepers on the Mimi. But the one trip I did up in RI I got enough Blackfish to keep me happy for the rest of 2013. Started this year with my first & only keeper on New years day on the Mimi so at least I didn't start it off with the skunk.

[hookset]

This being only my 3 rd year blackfishing I feel it has been an ok year! Made so changes with my gear that I feel have helped hook more fish but I have had less hits this year then prev! I am lucky enough to get out at least 1 time a week almost always on the Mimi!
I got the skunk two trips opening day and PUOSU! I got my 6 fish limit twice 4 fish one time and 2-3 all the rest! One day I got a pair of 8 pounders which is my PB! agree with everyone on the picky bite this year where several times I would be hit once and they never finish the bait!

[hartattack]

Too bad I didn't get out much this season Even worse is my not attending PUOSU VI day 2 tomorrow

11/22, Golden Touch 4 Keepers, 10+ shorts (Riverbassfishing Will had his limit)

12/8, PUOSU on OE, 2 keepers, 4 shorts (Will kicked butt again, that kid can Tog ! )

Hoping PUOSU day 2 on Mimi is one for the books

[Fish Tank]

HI,MVP I like to keep my eyes on the guys that fish with me,only to see if i can be some help.Needless to say i have learned plenty by watching the sharpies that are on the boat.Watching you assured me that you could fish on my team anytime.We all have those days,i got lucky and had the hot hand.Believe me,i have had days when some nine year old kid outfished me.Its all about enjoying the company and doing what we love to do.I wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year.capt.tommy joseph

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Fish Tank

HI,MVP I like to keep my eyes on the guys that fish with me,only to see if i can be some help.Needless to say i have learned plenty by watching the sharpies that are on the boat.Watching you assured me that you could fish on my team anytime.We all have those days,i got lucky and had the hot hand.Believe me,i have had days when some nine year old kid outfished me.Its all about enjoying the company and doing what we love to do.I wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year.capt.tommy joseph

Tommy,

You are so right when it comes to what constitutes a good day of fishing
In the past I would not consider it a good day unless I caught both quantity and quality of fish. Over the past 2 years I have learned to base success of trip by the company on the trip and just enjoying the experience regardless of the catch
I can thank guys like you, Shrimpman Steve and other friends for teaching me this important lesson. Fishing has been much more enjoyable now that I have grasped this concept. Do not get me wrong as I am very competitive and like to catch just as much as the next guy but do not base success of trip based on how many fish are in my cooler. Trip with you was my worst catch day of the season but also was one of my most enjoyable as I got to spend time with friends Tropics and Finreaper as well as meet new friends that fished that day with you. Also watching you fishing lighter leader and getting bit while others were not also added to my tog arsenal. Seeing the passion you bring after 80 years on this earth only emphasized what is really important. Family, Friends, having passion in what you do and giving back. Another example was trip with my good friend Stephen on his boat the Legacy. Caught very well that trip but the highlight for me was watching his son John catch his first keeper blackfish all by himself and being right by his side in coaching him through it. As you can see from picture his father could not have been prouder. This is what it is all about for me now. Sharing a day on the water with good friends and passing along the passion we have for fishing to the next generation. Speaking of sharpies this kid will be out fishing all of us by the time he is 13