Serrated Knife
Togging For Blackfish
It is important to keep in mind that any information that you receive from this article represents only one method and opinion. While these methods and opinions are based on traditional methods, they are still proven to produce fish. If you are interested in pursuing blackfish, there is little doubt that you will soon develop your own method and your own decisions on rigs.
If you’re fishing from a boat, there’s a pretty good chance you are using a conventional rod and reel which has stiff action. You likely picked this gear for its flexibility since it allows you to present baits with heavy lead (upwards of 6 oz) and still give you control of stopping. Keep in mind that since blackfish love the rocks, you will likely need all the stopping power you can muster. You will be best outfitting your reel with monofilament or braided line in the 30 – 50lb grade. This will provide you with a great rig that won’t break much since you’ll be using a leader for landing blackfish.
For many, they prefer the three-way rig. This involves a three-way swivel using at least 50 pound test. Take a 2 foot length of floral carbon leader material in 50 pound weight, and tie on a 2/0 octopus hook. Using a snap or dropper loop in the second eye will connect your sinker to your rig. The final eye of your swivel will be to attach your main line
Blackfish prefer crab and therefore, it is typically the best bait. As a general rule, they are better than porgies and much better than soft baits including clams and sand worms. At a minimum, you will want to have at least two dozen crabs for each angler. A knife will be required in order to open them. In general, a serrated knife will be your best option.
In order to open a crab, your best option is to place your blade on the belly. The point should be right between the eyes of the crab. Run a hook through the 2nd leg socket and allow it to come out of the top of the shell. Once you do this, you will notice the strong smell of the crap permeate and this will be amplified when it is dropped between rocks. For smaller crabs, there is no need to split them – simply remove the legs and hook them. Do make sure that you make use of a lead sinker to crack the shell before you do this.
Rock piles in shallow water are a good place to start looking for blackfish. You should start off in twenty feet or less of water, and that should help you with anchoring over rock piles as well. Depth finders may aid your success. Once you have determined the direction of the tide, you’ll be able to locate the best place up current for fishing. Once you identify the right location, use your depth finder to determine just how far your anchor needs to be dropped. Tie your anchor off as soon as you see rocks. This allows you to start fishing on one side and if needed you can move easily to the next spot.
Start off modestly using three ounces of weight. Drop your crab to the bottom of the water and engage your reel. Remember to keep your line tight, similar to the action you would take if you were trying to balance your sinker. Remember, keeping a tight line will help you be more successful and prevent you from snagging your sinkers in the rock beds. You will more than likely run into a fair number of porgies and cunner who will be interested in your bait. It’s important that you notice the different strikes that are unlike the blackfish. Blackfish tend to be more aggressive more of a “ka-thunk” feel versus the tap tap tap repetitive hits of porgy and cunner.
It will be important as you feel your strike that you are prepared to set your hook. Remember, the fish has one goal – to get away – it’s your job to keep him from doing that. Pull back with your rod lessening the drag. You will get a workout with this fish, as he will try very hard to pull the line back towards the rocks where he feels safe. Once you are clear of the rocky outlays, it shouldn’t be too difficult to wear the fish down before snagging him with a net. If local regulations do not restrict you to catch and release, these fish make great eating.
These tips will help you get started and may even cause you a bit of trouble. You’ll soon find that you are looking forward to your next black-fishing expedition, because they are fun to wrestle and your fishing trips are likely to be very productive. It’s even better if you can bring them home as they make for great eating also.
When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Reels, Penn Reels, and Daiwa Saltwater Reels.
Sharpen Chef, Kitchen or Serrated Knives with the AnySharp
|
|
Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife $24.72 Nothing is worse than going to cut with your cutlery, and having the handle slip around in your hand. To combat this potential for injury, Victorinox has created this Fibrox chef’s knife. The Fibrox® handle is textured and provides a firm grip, even when wet, and does not slip or slide around. It is comfortable and fits naturally to the shape of your hand, and provides an attractive and modern st… |
|
|
Ginsu 04817 International Traditions 14-Piece Knife Set with Block, Natural $21.95 Many associate Ginsu knives with the product’s kitschy infomercial from the â70s that begins with a karate kick to a watermelon and proceeds with a demo of these knives cutting through just about anything in the house. Like the original product, Ginsu’s International Traditions is designed for the home cook who is not attuned to the maintenance required of a more high-end knife. H… |
|
|
Presto 08800 EverSharp electric knife sharpener $39.99 The easy, automatic way to sharpen most kitchen and sporting knives to a razor sharp edge. This electric knife sharpener features a professional two stage system precision that grinds a perfect sharpening angle then fine hones and polishes the edge. It uses Sapphirite sharpening wheels, the same ultrahard material used in professional sharpening shops. And the no guess blade guides automatically h… |
|
|
Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Sharpener $7.03 Smith’s pocket pal combination ceramic, carbide and diamond knife sharpener. Coarse carbide, fine ceramic, and fine diamond taper for sharpening straight and serrated blades. Compact and lightweight unit comes with lanyard hole…. |
|
|
AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener $5.33 This knife shapener sharpens any double edge blade whether serrated or plain, thick or thin and it will do it faster than youd believe possible. AccuSharp sharpeners are the best, easiest and fastest sharpeners around. The difference is in the specially formulated, precision ground and mounted tungsten carbide blades…. |
|
|
Gerber 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge $79.99 From Gerber, the 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife is designed to help you endure in the toughest environments. It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sh… |
|
|
Good Grips Rocker Knife with Serrated Blade $10.95 The Good Grips Rocker Knife with Serrated Blade makes cutting meat easier. Rounded knife blade utilizes a rocking motion for easier cutting, which requires minimal arm strength. The extended safety cap protects fingers while cutting. A great solution for persons who have had a stroke, and for persons with limited arm movement, strength or arthritis.Good Grips Rocker Knife with Serrated Blade Featu… |
|
|
Wenger 16962 Clipper Swiss Army Knife With Nail Clipper Ergonomic Design With 1.75-Inch Pen Knife Blade Stainless Steel $21.99 Features a pen blade, nail clipper, springless scissors with serrated, self-sharpening design, nail file, nail cleaner, toothpick, tweezers and key ring…. |
|
|
Good Grips Serrated Rocker Knife $13.00 Good Grips Serrated Rocker KnifeCushioned grip keeps the utensil in the handâ even when wet!Good Grips® stainless steel utensils feature a 1-3/8â (3.5cm) built-up handle. The soft, latex-free material has flexible ribbing that adapts to any grip. This handle design is so unique, it has a U.S. patent. The forks and spoons have a special twist built into the metal shaft that allows them… |
|
|
Dewalt Dc527 Area Light (Tools / Installation Tools & Accessories) $61.68 DEWALT DC527 AREA LIGHT. BUILT-IN TELESCOPING & 360 ROTATING HOOK ALLOWS UNIT TO HANG FROM 2″ MATE,OVER-MOLDED LENS COVER PROVIDES INCREASED DURABILITY ON THE JOBSITE,13W FLUORESCENT BULB PROVIDES BRIGHT AREA LIGHTING,TWIST & LOCK TOOL FREE-LENS COVER ,PRE-HEAT CIRCUIT HELPS ELIMINATE BLACKENING AT THE BASE OF THE BULB,RUNS ON THE 18V BATTERY SYSTEM FOR LONGER RUN TIME,BATTERY SOLD SEPARATELY… |
Comments are closed for this entry.