JackC

The only frozen tog bait I every had work was frozen hermits (given to me in great quantities as fresh bait that had to go in the frezzer due to volume) - those days are long gone. Togs love crabs in LIS, they may like soft baits in other locations but after 45 years of tog fishing, crabs are the best, and asians are better than greens and hermits the best. During a strong fall bite they hit greens really well but that's a different story. Back in the early 80s I used to fish spawning fish on the New Haven oyster stakes - outside the breakwaters - not inside. I used to fish huge sandworms on one rod (it took a few fish) but did better on greens with the top shell removed and fresh hermits where the best of all. The greens outfished sandworms at least 5 to 1, and hermits were a crazy bait (fish when you hit the bottom). I took fish to 16 pounds back then, saw a few fish over 18 but not in my boat (again this is 20 years ago before any seasons, bag limits). (Spring closure is a good thing with the pressure we have on the fish now.) Just my reflections on the "old wives tale" of soft mouths and spring tog and reality. I think it all revolves around a lack of crabs in the shop for sale and the "offering" of available bait. Jack