10.15.2019 - Opening day

[steplift20]

You got me. I did. I don’t know what they charge in states island but over here in nj. $70 a half bushel of green crabs. Or $7 dollars a dozen.

[Giorgio]

When you said they wanted $50 for a half a bushel I thought it was a good price, then I talked to Steve and he would get you them for $40, you said you were too far away, that's tough. Now you are saying they are charging $70 for a half a bushel, they know it's that time of the year.
How did you do yesterday and was I close in guessing where your secret spot was

This is one of two times I miss fishing, 1st is the Spring Striper run, 2nd is this time of the year, Black fishing.
I hope you can keep on getting out there, weather is looking good.
ENJOY and GOOD LUCK

[steplift20]

I had a lot of fun and action. Didn t get any keepers but I lost two the broke my line. So the first thing I did was change my line. I put 20 pound test on ,I m not sure what I had before ,maybe 12 pound test. If you were going to fish out of Atlantic highlands I would take you there but I m afraid to say cause if the word got out that would be bad. Itsso much fun and only a few people know. There were 5 or 6 boats there and no body was close to each other. The only thing I could tell you is don;t be afraid of trying new spots that you never fished before. You will be surprised.
Im going out today and buy new line 20 pound test and replace the old no name line I just put on.
Oh and check this out. This guy was anchored up next to me and caught a fluke ,not a keeper but it was a fluke. Crazy and Im sure that wasn t the only fluke there. .

[steplift20]

My oldest son found a spot close to his house where they catch stripers all year long
There must be maybe 6 fisherman that go there until this one guy posted a picture of a reely nice fish he caught ( over 20 pounds) and people figured out 5he spot from the picture and now the place is jammed. I don’t mind if every one fishes in my spot but they are jerks not like me an$ I’m sure you.

[Giorgio]

Step, My lousy 2 cents, I think you need maybe 40# leader line (Fluro) when fishing for Blacks and I use 25# braid for my line. The line has to be something that would take a little rubbing against structure. I'm not a Black sharpie, but I listened to, at the time the old timers when I was young, watched how they fished and as I got older, added a few things of my own. Here's a tip, if you are catching all shorts, move to a different spot, large tog don't like the smaller fish, they don't like all the competition and with black fish, patience is needed. Maybe another hint, the less hardware. no three way's. I tie my line to a very small Tsunami barrel swivel, I tie my only hook about 6 inches above the sinker and put the sinker in a loop, so the only metal is the small swivel, less things to get caught on, but as I said, that's my lousy opinion. Some picture of what I use for them. If you feel like I'm telling you what to do, I'm not really doing that, just sharing what little I know. If you feel I'm over stepping, please let me know. I'm sure other Tog fishermen/women have much better ways and they will probably tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. But it works for me - Sorry for the long story GOOD LUCK while this weather holds out.