any tog fishermen out there?

[niko]

can anyone shed some light on blackfish fishing? i've done the partyboat thing for them w limited success. i know heavy structure and crabs but thats about it. how deep should i be looking, what temp waters? what's typically used for leader and hooks? how late in the season are they active in the buzzards bay area? thanks, paul

[BAITfishing]

Buzzards Bay should be good, and only getting better. You can catch them well into December as they like the cooler temps. Structure is key, but I do not like alot of current as chumming is also key and you want to keep them under the boat. Chum the legs and crush up some of the bigger crabs you have. I use a real short leader, only about 3 to 4 inches from the sinker. THis will help prevent the the fish from dragging your entire rig into the rocks. Heavy mono for the leader over 50lb, it will get pulled into the rocks and you will have to pull it out. I like fishing with brade for the sensitivity, but I also use a 3ft shock leader set up before the sinkervto prevent the brade from ripping on the rocks.
Also I like to use two hook set up, one with the crab and the other set up with squid, you'll have a good chance of bonus, hooking some nice sea bass this why your at it.
Good luck!