Got Stripers
09-08-2014, 07:34 AM
Fished Saturday and it was a challenge to say the least, but my friend and I boated about 20 tog, with 6 fat keepers for the table. Those who have fished with me can attest to the fact I'm really good with light small plastic and I'm dialing in on how to catch tog with them. It's a ball on light gear and Saturday was fun for another reason.
I was fishing a large offshore ledge between the Westport River and Sakonnet point and due to the swells constantly washing over the top of this ledge, the tog were literally on top taking advantage I believe of the crabs being knocked loose from their footholds. About every 5 minutes or so, I'd see another wide tog tail breaking the surface frantically waving as it tried to grab some water for leverage to work themselves off the top of the ledge which on the dropping tide was now only under water as the swells came in.
Certainly I have a big advantage with a 101# thrust trolling motor with autopilot which allows me to set up downwind and hold station. That allows me to get me close enough to throw light jigs without getting too close to get caught in the swells breaking over and around the ledge. Others interested in trying could anchor close or motor in for a cast, then just put your finger on line and drift out slowly moving the rod tip to gently move off some weed or coax a tog into taking it fully into it's mouth; we caught our two largest doing just that.
My set up is a light 7 foot fast action (my albie rod) rod to throw a 3/8oz Kalin Ulitmate jig with an olive 4" split tail, reel is spooled with 30# powerpro braid, spro swivel and 20# seagar 30" leader. Its important to use a light jig, which allows you to work it just over the weed, letting the current to move the jig slowly over structure and I'm certain the tog pic it up to investigate if it's edible. My plastic is scent impregnated, but I'm not so sure that plays a part, I think they are just being opportunistic feeders.
The other two keys are a sharp hook and NO hook set. Every cast into this ledge for 3 hours was picked up by tog, it was nice to be able to sit in one spot and catch under those rough conditions. To catch you need subtle rod tip movements, keep the jig moving a bit to make the tog think it's alive and moving away or to clear it from a snagged weed. The urge to set the hook is tough to overcome, but to hook Tog this way, you need to be very patient and almost tease them into continuing to move up the bait until the sharp hook can grab hold; then just reel and pull when you feel weight.
The large swell Saturday I believe produced the perfect conditions for this approach, the tog were in tight taking advantage and I think they were more aggressive in that their window to grab their food was brief. Don't think this can't be duplicated, my friend is a freshwater fly rod guy and trout fisherman, so if he can land 6 tog and a few keepers on gear he's never fished in tough conditions to even hold your footing, I believe anyone can try this.
The diner was soooo good, man I love a panko crused 4" piece of tog rolled in egg and dropped into super hot crisco in a skillet on the grille.
I was fishing a large offshore ledge between the Westport River and Sakonnet point and due to the swells constantly washing over the top of this ledge, the tog were literally on top taking advantage I believe of the crabs being knocked loose from their footholds. About every 5 minutes or so, I'd see another wide tog tail breaking the surface frantically waving as it tried to grab some water for leverage to work themselves off the top of the ledge which on the dropping tide was now only under water as the swells came in.
Certainly I have a big advantage with a 101# thrust trolling motor with autopilot which allows me to set up downwind and hold station. That allows me to get me close enough to throw light jigs without getting too close to get caught in the swells breaking over and around the ledge. Others interested in trying could anchor close or motor in for a cast, then just put your finger on line and drift out slowly moving the rod tip to gently move off some weed or coax a tog into taking it fully into it's mouth; we caught our two largest doing just that.
My set up is a light 7 foot fast action (my albie rod) rod to throw a 3/8oz Kalin Ulitmate jig with an olive 4" split tail, reel is spooled with 30# powerpro braid, spro swivel and 20# seagar 30" leader. Its important to use a light jig, which allows you to work it just over the weed, letting the current to move the jig slowly over structure and I'm certain the tog pic it up to investigate if it's edible. My plastic is scent impregnated, but I'm not so sure that plays a part, I think they are just being opportunistic feeders.
The other two keys are a sharp hook and NO hook set. Every cast into this ledge for 3 hours was picked up by tog, it was nice to be able to sit in one spot and catch under those rough conditions. To catch you need subtle rod tip movements, keep the jig moving a bit to make the tog think it's alive and moving away or to clear it from a snagged weed. The urge to set the hook is tough to overcome, but to hook Tog this way, you need to be very patient and almost tease them into continuing to move up the bait until the sharp hook can grab hold; then just reel and pull when you feel weight.
The large swell Saturday I believe produced the perfect conditions for this approach, the tog were in tight taking advantage and I think they were more aggressive in that their window to grab their food was brief. Don't think this can't be duplicated, my friend is a freshwater fly rod guy and trout fisherman, so if he can land 6 tog and a few keepers on gear he's never fished in tough conditions to even hold your footing, I believe anyone can try this.
The diner was soooo good, man I love a panko crused 4" piece of tog rolled in egg and dropped into super hot crisco in a skillet on the grille.