Wednesday, January 9, 2013

On a Good Roll with Togs and Kows.

This post is brought to you in part by the unselfish generosity of the Johnnie B.  Because making that certain connection and getting crabs is just part of the game.

SkunkApe and crew of the Johnnie B got that tog-bug gnawing at me again with some great cold water reports.  Only thing is, if you're looking for tog bait this time of year, you might as well be up the proverbial creek with a turd for a paddle.  Ever since the commercial crabbing season closed, even the Asian Supermarkets were out.  Lucky for me, Skunk was willing to part with some of his lucky crustaceans for a tog print.



For how cold the water was (~45 degrees) I found a pretty decent tog bite.  It was soft and quick so I had a few swings n' misses, but after making the mental adjustment I landed 6 (16.5", 17", 17", 20", 21.5" and 21.5").  



If only I could find a way to get more crabs...




After 8 hours of absolute solitude on the water, I decided to join Jack Daughtry in search of kow stripers.  It was a perfectly calm night when my clicker scream broke the silence.  I quickly brought the beast to the surface but as soon as I turned on my headlamp to take a look at it, it went berserk.  It was definitely bigger than I thought it was going to be.  My drag was set tight as it started thrashing violently, banging it's massive head on my gunwale and spraying water everywhere.  Once the head got back under it peeled line while spinning me in circles.  After pressuring him back within arms length of the leader, all of a sudden, it went slack.  I pointed my light and watched the full length of the fish slowly fade away into the darkness... as a cacophonous "NOOOO!!!" reverberated from my chest. Listening to my voice echoing in the cold still air, I reeled in my empty hook, knowing that was easily the citation I was hoping for.

After several choice words grumbled through the steam from my mouth, fear of that scenario replaying in my sleep set in.  I whispered "c'mon please" a gazillion times waiting for my next hit, but I was only tormented by short strikes.  Jack's line came tight next and I was excited for him.  




It was his new personal best at 41".  
Not too long after, zippzipp was followed by his Visipole moving abnormally fast.  And about 10 seconds later, my clicker goes off too.  Line comes tight and shizam... sleigh ride.

41.5"

44" by the last little fibers of the tail.  Paper two, check.

I didn't stay very long after that, knowing my work load the next morning was going to be tough.  But Jack stayed and got into a few more.  37", 39" and one monster that refused to be measured before peacin' out.

What an awesome freakin' day.

Can I get a "yeah!"?







18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. No, you're awesome Tommy V.
      Thanks for checking in.

      Delete
  2. So Jealous... Jack and I got the Skunk Sunday Night!

    ReplyDelete
  3. HECK YEAH!!!!!!! That eel sticking out of the mouth is totally usable after that 44"er hahahahahaha!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow!!! I'm happy for both of you. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome night. I can't wait to get back out there. Fish Bomb in hand.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amazing catches Rob!

    What kinda outfit do you wear when fishing this time of year? Footwear, pants, etc.

    Specifically what you're wearing during this outing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got on underarmor style 4.0 base layer, fleece sweater with fleece jacket on top, fleece wader pants with snowboard pants over that, smart wool socks X2, Kokatat dry suit over all of that, ninja style balaclava hood head wear and Glacier Ice Bay gloves. When it's not quite so insanely cold I skip on the fleece jacket and snowboard pants. Also, I'm not completely happy with the wader boots I use. My theory is that the cold water that gets in sucks the warmth out of the socks. I'm thinking of getting a pair that's water proof or quick draining... not sure yet. Hope that helps.

      Delete
  7. That is an awesome report dude. Monster fishing at its best.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice pic Rob!! Good things come to those who wait, at-least that's what my last fortune cookie said!!! My evil plan is slowly coming together with your help on here, some day I will be out slaying the striper....

    ReplyDelete
  9. your on a roll man- keep this up and you'll have your 6 before you know it!
    Love the shot with the eel hangin out of her mouth.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Increibles capturas,enhorabuena a los Dos artistas,un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are the fish whisperer ... nice job

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.