How old are big tog???

[Joey Dah Fish]

Originally Posted by NJ Dave

With all that said, the slow growing process and all, why is it never publicly complained about when someone kills a big tog BUT....... the time someone poses with two big stripers ALL hell breaks loose with how you shouldn't kill those big breeders and the declining striper fishery.
Just saying

You trying to start trouble Whisperer? Don't make me come up there. Here's what happens some can be released and quite a few are. Others it's obvious that they will not survive so they are taken.

[NJ Dave]

Alright Joe, but I have been good all year.... well it's only been 21 days. Lol.
Just saying. I know it's "expected" anything over a 10 is a photo and release but sometimes you see picks of a lot of hogs and all everyone says is congrats. Post a 40 Lb old sperms shooting striper and you get 50 replies that you single handed have just depleted the entire future of our already declining striper fishery.

[Joey Dah Fish]

Originally Posted by NJ Dave

Alright Joe, but I have been good all year.... well it's only been 21 days. Lol.
Just saying. I know it's "expected" anything over a 10 is a photo and release but sometimes you see picks of a lot of hogs and all everyone says is congrats. Post a 40 Lb old sperms shooting striper and you get 50 replies that you single handed have just depleted the entire future of our already declining striper fishery.

I know what you mean brother. Nice to hear from you

[lenny bent rod]

I asked this question to capt. Charlie of the charter boat Snappa out of Point Judith R. I. He is very knowledgeable about the tog fisherie and he said quote "there just isn't enough studies done on this species for a definite answer ". If anyone knows of a Web site or link on this subject please post.

[kurtisb]

From what I have read, they grow much faster down south. Several MD 20 pounders, caught on Monty's boat, have been aged in the early 20's. I read that the world record fish was 22 years old.

[Togman316]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

[hammer4reel]

The only study done really wasnt very well .I think with the amount of big tog around, they grow faster than that study said.

due to tog being pretty territorial I would think that there would be little chance that a tog could get that big without being hooked in that area for 30-40 years as that study wanted us to believe.

some guys want to believe a ten pound tog is 15 years old. I just dont see that adding up

It would be nice if guys tagging like monty had better results with fish that have been recaught.

I saw an interveiw that he had over a thousand tag returns from over 10000 that were tagged

[Dino]

is it me or do all the good posts on njfishing these days turn into someone grovelling about the good old days being gone and how all the fish are going extinct .. this was an outstanding season for blackfish guys.. fish of all size classes, and plenty of large tog, all signs of a healthy population. lets remember this is njfishing.com not njwhining.com lol

[RussH]

Originally Posted by Dino

this was an outstanding season for blackfish guys.. fish of all size classes, and plenty of large tog, all signs of a healthy population. lets remember this is njfishing.com not njwhining.com lol

I agree, I went out 3 times and only skunked out once!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Dino

is it me or do all the good posts on njfishing these days turn into someone grovelling about the good old days being gone and how all the fish are going extinct .. this was an outstanding season for blackfish guys.. fish of all size classes, and plenty of large tog, all signs of a healthy population. lets remember this is njfishing.com not njwhining.com lol

glad you had a great year. lots of guys i talked to on the boats didn't do as well..Blackfish populations are down 40% from what they were.. There are dozens of population studies.. If you can't find them I would be happy to provide links... They are under high pressure compared to what they were under historically.... bob