Gotta Go Blackfish Report

[Gerry Zagorski]

Oh they're down there and they're hungry too!!

Been in the middle of a construction project at our home for going on 4 months now and got a much needed break and an invite from my boat neighbor Doug on Gotta Go.

Wasn't expecting much with the winds and angry seas we've had for weeks now but it did not disappoint.

Pushed off around 7 with Doug and Tim and turned the corner into some nasty swells... Gave a half hearted attempt for Stripers down the Sandy Hook beach in part to let the forecasted sea and winds lay down before making the ride further south to set up for Blackfishing.

Lots of scattered bird life and an occasional shot at them to no avail so we decided to pull the plug on them and slugged our way south through some nasty swells.

Anchor came tight and we were a bit off the piece Doug wanted to fish but rather then re anchor we decided to stay put and see if anyone was home and that turned out to be the right decision...

It was a little on the slow side at first with an occasional fish here and there but once we settled in and built some life it was game on!! This is the type of fishing you dream of as a Togger since they were suicidal... You'd get hit as soon as you dropped down and if they missed it they'd come back 3 or 4 times to finish it off..

Very few shorts, nothing big but constant action.. We probably wound up with 25 plus keepers (orl) all on jigs with a keeper Seabass and only had 3 or 4 Doggies bother us.

Thanks for the invite Doug and thanks to Ruth for staying home when I bailed on her while she stayed home to look after the never ending stream of contractors and dust.

All in all a great day of fishing and much needed rest from the construction grind.