TOG TIPS

Blackfish season in New Jersey “reopened” on November 16 with a 6 fish bag limit at a minimum length of 15 inches, and that put toggers on notice once again to get out to the grounds to fill the cooler. Tog aren’t that far offshore right now and you’ll be able to find them in […]

Blackfish season in New Jersey “reopened” on November 16 with a 6 fish bag limit at a minimum length of 15 inches, and that put toggers on notice once again to get out to the grounds to fill the cooler.Tog aren’t that far offshore right now and you’ll be able to find them in the 50 to 90 foot depths as water temps still remain in the high 50’s, so start by targeting wrecks that lay generally from right off the coast out to about 10 miles. A nice stout set up is preferred.Start with a 7 to 7-1/2 foot rod rated for medium/heavy power and a mildly softer tip like a medium to fast action so as to have the power to pull a tog off the wreck when it tries to dog down, but also to have the sensitivity to feel the bite and set the hook. I actually use an unconventional rod the Fin-Nor Tidal series FSGC7040, but other friends use a Lamiglas 7040CT. Match up with a Shimano Torium 20 or Talica Reel. Spool with 50 to 65-pound braided Power Pro, then I like to Albright knot a 10 foot section of 50-pound monofilament shock leader to which a double overhand loop is tied and a 6 to 12-ounce bank sinker slipped on. Pinch a loop 4 inches above the sinker and loop-to-loop on a snelled 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook, secured with a lark’s head knot.You can also opt to simply tie on a pre-tied tog rig straight to the braid, which usually consists of a 100-pound barrel swivel then a 18-inch section of 50-pound monofilament leader with a overhand knot on the end again for the sinker, then a small dropper loop tied 6 inches above, to which a double tandem snelled rig with two 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks are looped on so you can sink two hooks into a whole crab bait – this is also known as a “Snafu” rig. Use whole whitelegger crabs as best baits to target titanic tog over the 10-pound mark. Its tog time. Load up that cooler for the Thanksgiving Day weekend![vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1511363921794-0627e921649c1f8447e0343cdb0a5466-6' include='4927,4926'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Fin-Nor
Surge
The Fin-Nor Surge Conventional rods will match up to almost any reel for all saltwater angling techniques. These rods are made with a durable composite blank construction and solid tip section that can take on hard fighting fish and rough conditions.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Shimano
TOR20HGA Torium SW Reel
The Shimano Torium Star Drag Reels are new to Shimano's Torium series reels. They are compact, rigid, and powerful saltwater conventional reels with excellent castability and durability expected by saltwater anglers.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Hi-Seas
Grand Slam Leader 50 yd. Coil Clear C-B-50CL
For everyday use in fresh or salt water, there’s Grand Slam Leader, the leader that’s at-home bottom fishing as it is trolling for tuna. An advanced monofilament extruded with properties that make it supple, yet extra tough - Grand Slam Leader performs!View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
TackleDirect
Bank Sinkers
Bank Sinkers are typically preferred for bottom fishing applications, where its tapered hexagonal shape will help to prevent it from becoming snagged in wrecks, reefs, hard bottom, and other structure. Available from TackleDirect ranging from 1/2oz up to 24 oz.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

PORT ST LUCIE SUPER SLAM

I recently attended a writer’s event with DOA Lures in Port St. Lucie Florida at the River Palms Cottages where the bite in the St. Lucie River was prolific. In one morning, I was able to put together a super slam of tarpon, snook, seatrout and redfish. What was the key to success? The simple […]

I recently attended a writer’s event with DOA Lures in Port St. Lucie Florida at the River Palms Cottages where the bite in the St. Lucie River was prolific.In one morning, I was able to put together a super slam of tarpon, snook, seatrout and redfish. What was the key to success? The simple 3 to 4-inch DOA Shrimp in glo color and black/gray.Captain Brenton Roberts poled us around the St. Lucie river at sunup to watch for tarpon boils on the glassy water surface, when a DOA shrimp connected with a small 10-pounder. After landing the poon we sped up to the docks off of Jensen Beach to make some pinpoint casts around the pilings. It didn’t take long to score the first snooklet of about 3 pounds, then we put about a dozen more snook up to 5 pounds on deck. The shrimp worked wonders, but after spying mullet schools being worked over, we cast DOA CAL baits in Silver Mullet to the outskirts and promptly got whacked by a multitude of big jack crevalles and eventually a nice schoolie redfish. With only a trout left to go, a DOA CAL was sent out to pull a sweet 16-inch seatrout off a dock piling, completing the super slam.Light tackle gear was paramount to getting the baits to work properly. The gear to get the shrimp to twitch enticingly and to maintain sensitive contact with the soft baits was a Shimano Terramar Rod TMS-F70M with medium power and medium fast action matched with a 4000 Shimano Stradic reel, spooled with 20 to 30-pound Power Pro line with a 36-inch section of 15-pound section of Seaguar fluorocarbon line tied via uni to uni knot and the lure tied directly with a Homer Rhode Loop Knot. That set up was able to handle the brawn of tarpon head shakes and the finesse of seatrout, all the while giving a fair fight.The St. Lucie River system put up some good times, and coughed up my first super slam in quite some time. To book a place on the St. Lucie river, check out the cottages at www.riverpalmcottages.com in Jensen Beach.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1510856844476-1b46a2911e0470f359989469616fbfa3-7' include='4908,4907'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
DOA
Shrimp
DOA Shrimp have a live shrimp look and swimming action. With their downward facing, vibration legs and consistent level drop rate DOA Shrimp Lures have successfully fooled almost every species of fish that feed on live shrimp.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
DOA
C.A.L. Jerk Baits
The DOA CA.L. 5.5'' Jerk Bait with the new diamond shape tail has proved to be the fish catchinest lure to come down the river in a long time. The heaviness of the body allows the lure to be cast a long distance even with a bait caster.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Shimano
Teramar Inshore SE
Shimano Teramar Inshore rod series was created for anglers from two very different locations: the Southeast and the West Coast. Southeastern anglers will find perfect rods for plug casting for snook, spinning on the flats or tarpon fishing under passes.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Shimano
ST4000XGFK Stradic FK Spinning Reel
The Shimano Stradic FK Spinning Reels are designed for anglers who demand toughness and durability in their tackle. Shimano's Hagane reel design allows for these reels to be long lasting through your many fishing trips.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

STRIPER SURF PLUGS

Surfcasters are entering the glory days now that November has hit and the Fall Run of stripers is invading Jersey waters in full force. The surf game is one of a run and gun approach on the sands now, with beach buggies hopping streets and driving the sands to chase down schools of feeding bass. […]

Surfcasters are entering the glory days now that November has hit and the Fall Run of stripers is invading Jersey waters in full force.The surf game is one of a run and gun approach on the sands now, with beach buggies hopping streets and driving the sands to chase down schools of feeding bass. There are plenty of offerings to toss for linesiders, but no doubt you can’t leave home without an array of swimming plugs in your surf bag. First of all, start with a solid surf bag. I employ the use of a Canyon 6 tube bag, but other options include ones made by TAK, Shimano, and ODM. You don’t want to be lugging something too big and bulky so stick with the minimal amount of tubes and weight.Standard surf plugs start with the tried and true Bomber Long-A 16 and Bomber A-Salt series plugs. Color patterns that get a lot of love include Chickenscratch, Wonderbread and School Bus for sunup hours and Black or Blurple during the night hours. The hot new plug on the scene in recent years has been the Daiwa SP Minnow. Coming in both floating and sinking models, hot colors I’ve had luck with are Sand Eel, Bone and Laser Green Shiner. You can scale down the size of the plug if smaller fish are around. Yo-Zuri’s Crystal Minnow series hits the mark, as do the Cotton Cordell Redfins, and the old school Mambo Minnow, now made by Stillwater lures.Jersey prides itself on its community of custom wooden plug manufacturers and there are myriad plugmakers with varying sizes, colors and styles. A few standards for the plug bag include Gibb’s Danny surface swimmer and the Super Strike Zig Zag darter. The custom plugs are designed to be slow rolled and better mimic large adult menhaden whereas the other plugs mimic profiles of mullet, spearing, sand eels and smaller bunker can be reeled in at a slow to moderate pace. The key to fishing any plug for bass is to fish the proper zones in deep sloughs, cuts and inside the sand bars, and to work them slowly as bass tend to like presentations they can easily pounce upon. Work the morning and evening hours, but know that most serious action comes during the dark hours, so plan your outings accordingly. Best advice to follow as well is to use lighter colored plugs when the sun is up, and go dark when fishing at night.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1510759052632-828fd289cb0b633270d7571e69c023ad-2' include='4894,4897'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
ODM
Surfwave Plug Bag
ODM Surfwave Plug Bags are heavy-duty bags constructed of 2-Ply 9.0 oz sailcloth and designed by fishermen for fisherman. The ODM Surfwave Plug Bag is lightweight yet extremely durable and versatile with separate compartments for convenient access and storage.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Bomber
Heavy Duty Long A Lure
Use Inshore or Offshore. Famous tightly wounded wiggle that has excellent penetration, strength and longevity. Hyper-modulus polycarbonate body and Saltwater Grade hooks, hangers and split rings. These lures are sure to attract attention.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Daiwa
Salt Pro Minnow Lures
The Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow is a versatile, long casting bait designed for a fast, ripping style retrieve that produces an erratic side-to-side swim action to draw predator's attention. The Salt Pro Minnow features: a weight transfer system for easier, longer casts.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Super Strike
Zig Zag Darter
A favorite among Montauk Point fisherman. This is an excellent casting lure that should be used when there is a strong rip current. It digs deep into rips with a tremendous darting pattern. Swims 2-3 feet deep.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

TackleDirect Celebrates 20 Years

Celebrating with a huge anniversary sale, TackleDirect attributes 20 years in business to its exceptional employees, loyal customers and long-term relationships with suppliers. TackleDirect®, World’s Premier Fishing Outfitter, announced today they are celebrating their 20 year anniversary. We were an internet start-up, long before internet start-ups were cool, said CEO, Patrick Gill. Actually, in the […]

Celebrating with a huge anniversary sale, TackleDirect attributes 20 years in business to its exceptional employees, loyal customers and long-term relationships with suppliers.TackleDirect®, World’s Premier Fishing Outfitter, announced today they are celebrating their 20 year anniversary. We were an internet start-up, long before internet start-ups were cool, said CEO, Patrick Gill. Actually, in the fishing tackle industry, even mentioning the internet was very uncool at that time and many people and brands initially turned us down. The Gill Family had long operated a marina in Ocean City, New Jersey when son, Patrick, then a university student, brainstormed with his father the idea of creating an online catalog that sold fishing equipment. Working with limited heat in a tiny bait and tackle shop over the water at the marina, Patrick and their first employee, Wayne Nicholson, built the first version of TackleDirect.com over winter break from college. It was 1997, and almost 20 years later, TackleDirect now boasts over 60,000 products from more than 600 manufacturers shipping to over 200 countries internationally. While our business growth has been impressive, we are most proud of being a family owned and operated business with over 60 full time employees, many with growing families of their own. We attribute our success to exceptional employees, loyal customers and long-term relationships with our suppliers, said Gill.TackleDirect is celebrating the 20 year anniversary with private and public sales. Starting today and running through November 16, 2017, their bi-annual Clearance Canyon retail store sale is being offered for the first time at TackleDirect.com. TackleDirect Loyalty Reward account holders have received invitations to access this private sale. TackleDirect.com is also running a public sale featuring 20% off all TackleDirect brand gear, including their Platinum and Silver series rods, tools, apparel and accessories.For More Details on TackleDirect Upcoming Events: https://www.tackledirect.com/upcoming-events-at-tackledirect.html" target="_blank">

SEA BASS REOPENER

Sea bass season reopened in New Jersey on October 22 and catches have been fast and furious. Most sea biscuits are hanging inshore right now in 75 to 100 feet of water, and its high time to hit them before they migrate offshore to their wintering grounds at the continental shelf. You don’t need any […]

Sea bass season reopened in New Jersey on October 22 and catches have been fast and furious.Most sea biscuits are hanging inshore right now in 75 to 100 feet of water, and its high time to hit them before they migrate offshore to their wintering grounds at the continental shelf. You don’t need any real heavy duty gear to tackle sea bass that will generally be in the 1 to 4-pound class, in fact, lighter set ups are preferred when jigging. Without a doubt, the best way to score a bite is by dunking baits, and fresh clams are heads and shoulders the finest temptations to use, but unfortunately in the Garden State, fresh clams have been hard to come by. That means switching up to other baits like Berkley Gulp 3-inch Swimmin Minnows in chartreuse or pink, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny or white, squid strips, sand eels and strips of mackerel or bluefish.Bait up on a hi-lo rig consisting of a 100-lb Spro Barrel Swivel, a 40-inch piece of 40-pound Triplefish leader with two dropper loops tied 18 inches apart and an overhand knot tied on the end for a bank sinker of 6 to 16 ounces. Loop on size 3/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks or size #1/0 Mustad Baitholder hooks. Jigging can be done with light 1-ounce Andrus round head bucktails, tipped with a 5-inch strip bait or long slender sand eel. Always tie a dropper loop about 18 inches above the bucktail, and lance on a size 1/0 O’Shaughnessy bucktail hair hook in white or pink.Easy to use jigging set ups would include a Shimano 7 foot Terramar TMSE70MH, matched with a Quantum Iron 50 reel, spooled with 30-pound Power Pro braid line. The light set up allows to work bucktails easily on the sea floor. Sea bass will oftentimes “haystack” up in the water column above structure, so don’t overlook reeling up a few cranks with the bucktail or bait rig and keep it steady 20 to 30 feet up in the water column where sea bass will attack it in the open ocean.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1510692413046-05b0fd654b86a653b0de4616a345dbee-6' include='4858,4856'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
St. Croix
MIS70MF Mojo Inshore Spinning Rod
The St Croix Mojo Inshore Spinning Rods deliver exceptional performance and durability at easily affordable prices. Built from St. Croix's premium-quality SCII graphite and wrapped with Batson Forecast hard aluminum-oxide guides with 316 stainless steel frames.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Spiderwire
Stealth Blue Camo
SpiderWire Stealth Blue Camo Braid designed with Dyneema, which is the world's strongest fiber out there. Each size is constructed to provide the ultimate strength with the thinnest diameter for smooth and quiet performance.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Seaguar
Fluorocarbon Leader Material 25yds
Incredible impact and abrasion resistance. Fast sinking. Superior tensile and knot strength. The original FC (Blue Lable) Seaguar 100% fluorocarbon leader material allows you to use a smaller test leader than comparable nylons or fluorocarbons.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Owner
SSW Hooks with Super Needle Point
Great value for the price. Compare prices with other quality hooks. Ideal for baiting up nightcrawlers and minnows for walleye and panfish, and for rigging crabs, shrimp and blood worms for surf and bay fishing.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

TOG TIPS

Fin-Nor

Surge

Shimano

TOR20HGA Torium SW Reel

Hi-Seas

Grand Slam Leader 50 yd. Coil Clear C-B-50CL

TackleDirect

Bank Sinkers

PORT ST LUCIE SUPER SLAM

DOA

Shrimp

DOA

C.A.L. Jerk Baits

Shimano

Teramar Inshore SE

Shimano

ST4000XGFK Stradic FK Spinning Reel

STRIPER SURF PLUGS

ODM

Surfwave Plug Bag

Bomber

Heavy Duty Long A Lure

Daiwa

Salt Pro Minnow Lures

Super Strike

Zig Zag Darter

TackleDirect Celebrates 20 Years

SEA BASS REOPENER

St. Croix

MIS70MF Mojo Inshore Spinning Rod

Spiderwire

Stealth Blue Camo

Seaguar

Fluorocarbon Leader Material 25yds

Owner

SSW Hooks with Super Needle Point