3/6/05 TOGS & CROAKERS

[nervous wreck]

Fished in the bay just off Gwynn's Island today. We caught Togs to 4 1/2 lbs. and the Croakers weighed in at 2 1/4 lbs. ( 17 1/2 in.) Wasn't expecting the Croakers but a nice bonus for sure cause they hit hard and pulled like summer fish. All fish were caught on hard crab. Togs bit good this morning before the current started runnin' out hard and then the croaker bite started. Hope this report helps confirm that the croaker are biting in the bay. Sorry it should be 4/6/05[excited]

[ChiefRCD]

Well, that sounds great....I guess the season is officially on....LETS GO FISH'N[grin]

[TL]

Thanks for the report. I'd love to try for togs off Gwynn's Island, so any advice or tips would be appreciated. Are they on the reef, or dropoffs, or some other feature? Also, I'm assuming a 1/4 section of crab or smaller with a very small hook, run off a flouro leader and an egg sinker. My guess is that best time is between tides when the water is not moving fast.

Please let me know where I've got it right and wrong.

[ketch69]

Nice report.

TL

You got it on the crab. You will need a 3/0 to 5/0 hook.Mustad 3407 works good. No flourocarbon needed, 50lb. mono. Tie your own rig kinda like the two hook bottom rig used for spot and croaker with the sinker at the bottom.

[nervous wreck]

TL , I tie a 3 or 4 in. dropper loop onto my main line and attach a Eagle Claw LO42FS Wide Bend hook (2/0 or 3/0) so it hangs about 1" above the sinker. Use 1/4 or1/6 of a crab with or without legs and have at it. Sometimes they don't bite as light as others say so be prepared. Had one almost pull the rod out of my hand yesterday after I removed it from the rod holder. He had hooked himself wile I was in the relax fishing mode.

[cwoods]

How deep was the water where you caugh the croakers?

[nervous wreck]

The croakers and togs were caught in 21 ft. of water using hard crab on an out going current. All fish bit like they were hungry and glad to taste the fresh bait.

[guanacay]

Togs will also eat clam and they love sand fleas. Did you catch any cunner (bergall)?

[TL]

Thanks for all the advice. Now I just need the weather to hold up to give it a try.

[warrenahrens]

thanks for the report - NW - let the games begin!!

WA