FishKnapper

Caught my first black fish(s) before the season closed here in Connecticut. Great fight and better eating! I've heard some things about where they can be found (mostly depth info, etc.) and I'm hoping there are some of you die hards out there that can give a newbie some good advice. I plan to head out again in January when the season reopens. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks.

Scup

Cold inshore waters forces them more to the warmer offshore waters. Do not know what you have for a ride, but I am either too wise or too chicken to fool around out there this time of the year. Whatever you do, be very careful of our crazy and erratic New England weather. When the water temperature drops to the point where my survival time is less than five minutes without a survival suit, I would not head out unless it was aboard a charter or head boat. Another problem you will face in January, there is not much traffic out there that could lend immediate assistance should you get in trouble. We do not like to lose members! You must really be a die hard to go out in January for only 4 fish per man. If you think I am kidding, the next time you are in the Stonington area, take walk down to the waters edge of the fisherman's dock. The fisherman's memorial lists the names of professional fisherman that made one trip too many and they knew what they were doing.

Bryan A.

I have never fished for Tog in January but have a few theories on where they might be hiding this time of year. Go deep.

Where are you fishing out of and what type of boat? It could be alittle nasty out there this time of year.

__________________
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plugmeister

Get some tip-ups, hit the lakes. What would you use for/where would you get tog bait?

plugmeister

I'll add this to the previous reply and to my reply on another site: When the water freezes in the bottom of the boat it gets a little dicey, to say nothing of the delight of the ice on your reel and guides.

FishKnapper

Thanks for the advice. If the weather is warm enough and the seas remain calm (relatively) I am planning on heading out of Niantic. How deep will they be at this time of year? I don't and won't take risks, and I appreciate the concern you have showed. Spent a couple of hours today fishing the Housatonic and caught a handful of schoolie bass. Also foul hooked a rather large and angry carp. Thanks again to you all.

plugmeister

Did you get the bass from shore?

CaptDom

I fish all winter long, and have made plenty of trips on the bluebird days out front in boats under 20'...I have never, and hope to keep it that way, had an accident on the water. I fished twice in early Feb off Block Island and Coxes in an open 23' CC in 2004, both on FAC days.

You definitely need to increase your caution level, but a safe and seaworthy boat, with a safe operator, in calm conditions is fine all winter long; it will not matter if the water is 30 degrees or 70....you are boating not swimming.

I have often imagined the horrors of capsizing or going overboard in all types of conditions and scenarios, and what I would or could do if it happened. With redundant safety equipment ,especially communication devices, you will be prepared to act quickly and efficiently to increase your chances of rescue. Even in the middle of summer, hypothermia will get you eventually, and in summer the tendency to relax your guard and take greater risks is in the mix quite often.

Don't know about where you are, but here in Newport the frostbite sailing races take place on weekends and nice afternoons during the week, the entire winter. These guys get into tiny little 1 man sailers and capsize all the time, they have a few smaller CC support boats out and about. There are always a few commercial boats as well should you need some help, not to mention the USCG.

I say enjoy your boat on those fine bluebird days we get every winter. Slap the boat in, avoid getting wet, and have some fun. There are always a few seals around to check out, and you just may catch a few fish. Pollock and cod are around if you know where to look. Not sure on the tog unless you go deep(100 feet plus around here) as I have never caught any tog in dead winter close to shore.

Use clams for bait, tog will pounce on a clam if you put in front of a hungry fish's face.

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COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING
NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358
www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

FishKnapper

Yup the bass came from shore, there were a mess of guys in boats but I didn't see them land too many fish. I have developed a good technique and last year in April I landed 68 schoolies in two and a half hours. The bite is so subtle this time of year; barely a "tick" on the line. I can hardly wait until mid March when the catch increases markedly. Until then I settle for a handful of linesiders a day.

plugmeister

You're using bait or plugs/lures??