Big Tog Tactics

[Gerry Zagorski]

So what separates the people who catch big Togs regularly from the people who catch regularly catch, but usually not anything big?

I have my opinions. I’d like to hear some others....

[Gremlin2009]

Maybe the tackle or bait they use. Also could be the location of the wreck

[hartattack]

I can't figure it out. I was having a great day on the Jig with Greenies but Brian's monster below (released ) was caught on a high-low Clam rig The bite that day was so suicidal I even caught 'em with Clam on the Jig. Snafus, sliders, Jonah crabs, white-leggers, I've tried 'em all. Maybe the Sea Bass rig is the answer - NOT !

[dales529]

Well its not who Mom likes best or who is the more handsome brother thats for sure

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by dales529

Well its not who Mom likes best or who is the more handsome brother thats for sure

Or the thousand dollar set ups some people have

Hell, I've seen guys fishing out of windows with mono on a Penn Squidder and a Penn Slammer out fish most everyone...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by hartattack

I can't figure it out. I was having a great day on the Jig with Greenies but Brian's monster below (released ) was caught on a high-low Clam rig The bite that day was so suicidal I even caught 'em with Clam on the Jig. Snafus, sliders, Jonah crabs, white-leggers, I've tried 'em all. Maybe the Sea Bass rig is the answer - NOT !

There is some luck involved for sure Larry.... Brother Joe is the perfect example

All kidding aside, putting in your time and knowing what to do when you get that bite of a lifetime makes a big difference as does your gear. So does the piece your fishing and how the fish are biting that day...

I've also witnessed times where the captain says.... We're going to a big fish spot and you only get one shot at these fish... As soon as someone breaks one off we're moving. Sure as shit someone breaks a big fish off and that's it, the whole bite shuts down...

[Adrenalinerush]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Or the thousand dollar set ups some people have

Hell, I've seen guys fishing out of windows with mono on a Penn Squidder and a Penn Slammer out fish most everyone...

Fishing out a window? Were you on The Gaffer?

[reason162]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

So what separates the people who catch big Togs regularly from the people who catch regularly catch, but usually not anything big?

I have my opinions. I’d like to hear some others....

In my limited experience...the biggest tog seem to go for the lightest pickups. They almost always slack up your jig. The most violent tugs and runs seem to always be smaller fish...whereas the most subtle "up bites" end up being tanks.

I think a lot of people simply miss those bites. And being in the "ready" position to swing and hold a big fish all day, people tend to lose focus too. I end up with migraines on the water I'm focusing on my jig so much lol.

[porgylber]

Tog are strange creatures. A few years back, I was on a charter having an epic day catching them. It was so good, the boat ran out of bait. The guy next to me whipped out a sandwich and removed the pepperoni. He says, watch this...and proceeds to catch back to back 8 lb plus fish.
No idea on whether salami or ham works.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by reason162

In my limited experience...the biggest tog seem to go for the lightest pickups. They almost always slack up your jig. The most violent tugs and runs seem to always be smaller fish...whereas the most subtle "up bites" end up being tanks.

I think a lot of people simply miss those bites. And being in the "ready" position to swing and hold a big fish all day, people tend to lose focus too. I end up with migraines on the water I'm focusing on my jig so much lol.

I feel,it’s the same bite on a normal,rig also.
Big fish swim up and just munch down, feels like static on your line.
I get that kind of bite I swing and reel hard,