Jersey’s five fish tautog limit returns November 16 – are you geared up?
My first head boat trip was on the Big Mohawk III with Capt. Gary Fagan. I remember Stan on the bow with his wooden side cast reel. I had never seen such a thing before, and he out fished the boat and it wasn’t even close—a true legend.
Linen line has faded, then came Dacron and mono; now it’s all about braid, which allows us time to take a hard look at what else is different in today’s gear in terms of rods and reels.
This month begins the search for big ol’ whitechinners; tackle busting brutes that live in the stickiest of spots that will test your tackle and your moxy down to your very foundation. It’s important to keep in mind that trophy blackfish season in the Northeast carries through to some of the coldest months of the year, which can put even greater stresses on our gear and our constitution.
Having a very mechanical mind – and a bad habit of fishing a lot – it has me sharing some new concepts with some who build and design the tools that we use. Modern technology has made rods, reels and lines so superior to the best that we had even just 10 short years ago; and if it gives me an advantage, I’ll take it! And if you can stay comfortable while at the rail all day long, your chances of hooking your new personal best (PB) tautog are greatly improved. So here are a few of the things I’ve seen changing at the rails of some of the best blackfish boats around.
Don’t Spare the Rod
Whether fishing a jig or a rig, a blackfish rod is a special tool. Rods in the 7- to 8-foot range are perfect; the longer the rod, the more leverage and lifting power I have on the initial hookset. A sensitive rod is preferred by many, but sensitive and durable do not go together very often. High modulus graphite rods do not respond well when doubled over while frozen. I know, right?
Modern rod construction has blended the qualities and made them super durable and scary light. Due to new blank technology, such as solid tip construction and composite overlays, these rods have become super light and tough. If you prefer a parabolic bend with excellent sensitivity, it can be done. If you like a slim and very stiff rod with a soft tip, they are here. Not all crazy high priced, many of these rods are on the rack at your tackle shop now, while others are still in the developmental stages and will be available soon.
Rods from Black Hole and Jigging World have a strong following. Tsunami makes several rods that are an excellent rod at a terrific value with many innovative designs. Their Classic Series and Bottom Fish Rods represent a great value. Both Maxel and Tsunami’s Slow Pitch rods are worth a good look too. For the jigger, the Black Hole Challenger 701L is a great choice, as is the Tsunami Slim Wave. ODM will release game changers in both the spinning and conventional categories in the very near future. ODM Rods feature a futuristic concept in design and quality that is uncommon in today’s profit driven world. United Composite and Rod Geeks make blanks that will make it hard for you to choose just one.
Of course, you really must fish a rod (or a few) to be sure of what you want. If you have a very exact rod that you are after, a custom build from a modern blank will spoil you rotten. If you spot a rod that looks right for you on your next trip, ask its owner if you can give it a try. I often offer fishermen to try a rod if they show interest. If they like it, they take a picture of the make and model so they have the exact rod. If it’s a custom, I’ll give the builder’s name and phone number. The builder knows exactly which blank he built for me. He knows if he cut the blank, and where. He knows butt and handle length exactly for what he built, so duplicating a rod is no mystery. All rod builders have a recipe book.
Jiggin’ or Baitin’
High quality spinning reels for jigging include some new players that stand tall. Light weight and very braid friendly, Daiwa’s new BG series in the 3000 size is perfect for jigging tog. These reels are strong and smooth. Lower gear ratio and excellent torque make these reels a great choice at a reasonable price. I like 20-pound test J Braid, which is a super smooth braid that will stay soft for a few seasons.
Conventional revolving spool gear has developed into having both star drag and lever drag fans. After fishing them all, let’s just talk about reels that you can buy and have serviced in the USA. I prefer a star drag for immediate lock and loaded power. But what’s the best of the best? Take a good hard look at a Daiwa Saltiga SASD15. With a 5.1 to 1 gear it’s got torque for days, and drag for weeks. Need more power? It has a two-position handle and it is the only reel in its class that I know of featuring a “spool lock” mechanism that takes pressure off of the drag; that way when you’re stuck in the piece, you can engage the lock and not fight a slipping spool. It will hold about 300 yards of 55-pound test Daiwa boat braid, which has multi-color patterns to alert you when your rig nears the bottom. Bright color stands out easily against the sea, so spending a day watching your line is easier.
Recent retooling on the Maxel Hybrid 25 also gets its good solid look as well. Shimano fans swear by their Trinidad 14A and the Ocea Jigger, though the latter is a Japan-only reel with limited U.S. service. Try to keep your reels from getting a saltwater bath, as it spells trouble for all reels. Try a light spray of WD40 and a wipe down at the end of the day. Avoiding direct water spray will keep your reels and yourself much happier.
Tackle and gear has evolved so much over the past few years that it’s time to leave some of that old stuff at home; put it in the box with your pager and your Black Berry. Don’t worry where you put it, you’re probably not going to go back to it, not for blackfishing anyway.
| ‘18 TAUTOG REGS |
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Wherever you find yourself fishing the rest of this year, make sure you know the regulations for the state you’re fishing through to the end of 2018. MARYLAND DELAWARE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK |
