2013 Blackfish results

[MVP]

Kept a fishing log for the first time this year for tog from 11/17 until the end of the year 2013. Have fished more in 6 weeks than all of 2013 combined. The thrill of the right blackfish bite keeps you coming back for more punishment and rewards

Been a challenging year but very rewarding. When you think about it the principle and gear used in blackfishing is very simple as you can carry everything you need in a small bucket. It is all the small details that make the difference between catching and not catching especially during slow bite.

Fishing with such good fisherman there is always the opportunity to learn something that will help you improve your craft. I learned allot this year that I think has made me a better blackfisherman. I have been able to figure things out and still put fish in the box when others are struggling. Have really had to work hard to put catch together on tough days. I guess it is this challenge that keeps us coming back. Most people think we are crazy when we tell them we are leaving our warm bed and houses to go blackfishing in the middle of the winter. Enclosed is list of trips with totals.

11/17 Tagged Fish - 7 keepers. Fun trip with fellow njfishing members but slow bite
.

11/23 Mary M - 4 keepers Slow Bite

11/26 Legacy - 10 Keepers Very good bite
out of SI, NY

11/29 Legacy - 6 keepers Good bite

12/1 Mary M - 6 keepers Slow bite

12/2 Friends boat - 13 keepers Very good bite
out of AH

12/4 Friends boat - 11 keepers Slow bite for other three guys I was just in the zone with slow steady pick of quality 5-7 lb fish out of AH

12/5 Fish Tank - 1 keeper. Decent fishing as 5 out of the six guys had between 4-6 fish I just sucked. Capt Tommy fished for about 45 min through out the trip and had his limit using light fluke d rod with 20 lb test mono. Humbling to say the least

12/8 PUOSU on OE - 2 Keepers - Slow bite

12/19 Mimi - 5 keepers - Slow bite

12/26 Friends Boat out of AH = 7 Keepers. My buddy was fishing two rods. Dead stick momo rod outfished us both using braid. Very interesting lesson learned

12/27 Mary M - 5 keepers. Super slow. Only 14 keepers for 7 of us.

Total 12 trips
Average: 6.41 fish per trip

With current regs they have us brainwashed to feel that we have had a good day if we limit out. (NOT)

Curious what others thoughts are on your blackfishing results for 2013.
On all trips only kept are legal boat limit. As fishing slows in NJ I will be heading further south in search of 20 pounder.

[MVP]

Kept a fishing log for the first time this year for tog from 11/17 until the end of the year 2013. Have fished more in 6 weeks than all of 2013 combined. The thrill of the right blackfish bite keeps you coming back for more punishment and rewards

Been a challenging year but very rewarding. When you think about it the principle and gear used in blackfishing is very simple as you can carry everything you need in a small bucket. It is all the small details that make the difference between catching and not catching especially during slow bite.

Fishing with such good fisherman there is always the opportunity to learn something that will help you improve your craft. I learned allot this year that I think has made me a better blackfisherman. I have been able to figure things out and still put fish in the box when others are struggling. Have really had to work hard to put catch together on tough days. I guess it is this challenge that keeps us coming back. Most people think we are crazy when we tell them we are leaving our warm bed and houses to go blackfishing in the middle of the winter. Enclosed is list of trips with totals.

11/17 Tagged Fish - 7 keepers. Fun trip with fellow njfishing members but slow bite
.

11/23 Mary M - 4 keepers Slow Bite

11/26 Legacy - 10 Keepers Very good bite
out of SI, NY

11/29 Legacy - 6 keepers Good bite

12/1 Mary M - 6 keepers Slow bite

12/2 Friends boat - 13 keepers Very good bite
out of AH

12/4 Friends boat - 11 keepers Slow bite for other three guys I was just in the zone with slow steady pick of quality 5-7 lb fish out of AH

12/5 Fish Tank - 1 keeper. Decent fishing as 5 out of the six guys had between 4-6 fish I just sucked. Capt Tommy fished for about 45 min through out the trip and had his limit using light fluke d rod with 20 lb test mono. Humbling to say the least

12/8 PUOSU on OE - 2 Keepers - Slow bite

12/19 Mimi - 5 keepers - Slow bite

12/26 Friends Boat out of AH = 7 Keepers. My buddy was fishing two rods. Dead stick momo rod outfished us both using braid. Very interesting lesson learned

12/27 Mary M - 5 keepers. Super slow. Only 14 keepers for 7 of us.

Total 12 trips
Average: 6.41 fish per trip

With current regs they have us brainwashed to feel that we have had a good day if we limit out. (NOT)

Curious what others thoughts are on your blackfishing results for 2013.
On all trips only kept are legal boat limit. As fishing slows in NJ I will be heading further south in search of 20 pounder.

[Scotty]

Been out about the same amount, but with less fish. Here we go:

11/18 - BMH - 7 keepers to 4# on whites
11/22 - Ductworks - 5 keepers (many shorts) - had largest and most
11/30 - Private boat - 0 keeps (terrible anchoring conditions)
12/4 - BMH - 2 keepers
12/5 PUOSU (OE Belmar) - 0, lost a monster (Bait sucked)
12/13 - BMH 4 kepers + pool
12/20 - BMH - 5 keepers
12/24 - MBH - 4 keepers
12/27 - Mary M - 1 cod and 1 keeper tog
12/28 - Private boat - 0 keepers (Bait sucked)
1/1 - Ductworks =- 3 keepers (1 large)
1/5 - ?

On days I caught none or few, others did catch fish. Seems to be a little better than most years for me, as I've been eating a steady diet of tog since before Turkey day LOL

[jmurr711]

opening day monger- 3keeps 10+ shorts
12/8 puosu-3 keeps 10+ shorts
12/19 Monger- 10keeps including 10lb 15+shorts
been blown out 3times
have this sunday puosu,next sunday the 12th with Hank & am hoping to hit Va in february & oc,md if anyone invites me
have noticed this year small crabs been key except 1 drop on 12/19 when they ate soups for 6minutes

[shrimpman steve]

11 trips
They all sucked
Nuff said

[Foul Hook]

Good thread Alex. I've been out numerous times(you guys keep better records than me) and cant say I've had a great bite any day . One time I had 5 on private boat(last Sat, I got lucky )one time I had 4 Black Fri (O.E.), other wise it was 1 to 3 keepers. I've fished maybe 10 days this season to the tune of about $100 each day. I agree with the thought that the a**holes who set the limit have not one clue what is going on. I'll be keeping what I feel is sufficient from here on out, all species .Let em catch me, it's the way they want it.

[rumster]

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

11 trips
They all sucked
Nuff said

Have to laugh steve. We have never met personally, but from what I hear your a great guy and a very good fisherman. That`s why they call it fishing and not catching there`s no guarantee of results other than a nice day on the water and meeting nice people.
I only fished for tog only 4 times this year on a site sponsered boat as a result of having knee surgery.
Worst day 4 keeps and alot of shorts. The other 3 trips were great, catching limits and then some only keeping 6 with loads of shorts. Great thread!

[Fishin Polski]

Five trips, three party boat and two open boat/charter, total was 25 throwbacks and FOUR keepers!!! that blows!!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Seems like the quantity of fish this year is off but the quality has been good. Lots of big fish caught in NJ waters this year.

As for me 2 words sum it up.... "I sucked".

Prior to this year we were treated to some lights out T shirt togging in the shallows in late Sept early October while the 1 fish limit was in place. Even a hack like me could catch 30 plus fish. This year we opted to fish more for Stripers during that time and did not target the Blackfish as much... I think we did 2 or 3 trips but never really got them going like we had in the past.

[tautog]

I had three good pvt boat trips, but too many blowouts. Fished more for sea bass because of the season closure and the winds. Would rather be offshore on a 100 footer in 5-7 foot than further inshore on a 30 footer in 4 to 6.