Blackfish reports

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I know I keep repeating this, but the REASON tog season opens mid november is because thats when they slow down historically. They don't want too many caught.. Only us old timers recall that by the 1st of December almost every single "bottom fishing party boat" switched to Whiting and Ling.. There was NO winter blackfishing to speak of, despite a few caught incidentally while Whiting/Ling fishing. I once saw a guy catch 2 nice one in shallow [30 ft] water in frigid mid january on mackerel chunks.. poor thing must have been starving.. Blackfish are most active in 65-55 degree water, and get less active the lower the water temp goes.. Yes there are always be a remnant that will bite in say 42 degree water, and I guess thats why guys today consider snow, wind, and bitter cold "blackfish weather"... In my day "blackfish weather" was a 65 degree late september day with no wind and bright sun, and the fishing was spectacular...