Polespearing for tog

[Cast]

Hi experts,

what do you think about polespearing the togs? I am sure its fun to experience killing big stripers with a big gun but I don't like eating stripers. so there is no much point for me to kill them everyday..but is it worth to invest a gun only for tog? I heard they are stupid but everyone I know all hunt them with the spearguns...anyone has any luck poke them with a long pole? I would like to hear some opinions from you....

Thanks.

[OceanEd]

I have absolutely NO idea what a tog is? Animal? Mineral? Vegetable? I do know it is extremely fun to go after big fish with a sharp stick. Get a big pole spear and have a ball.

[warpig160]

Cast,

You will be fine with a pole spear for tog. Pole spears are just simply not popular here in the Northeast, but they can still be effective.

Ed,

Tog is short for tautog. Blackfish is another term.

WarPig

[OceanEd]

Warpig:

Thanks for adding to my knowledge base. It constantly amazes me how diverse the species of fish and the techniques to get them can be from place to place. That's one of the things I love the most about Spearboard...learning in ways I couldn't do so before.

[bruce_s]

Using a pole spear you will have to get closer obviously so stealth is a factor in using them.In the early years thats all we used.As far as being stupid tog are not stupid but they are territorial and consequently tend to not stray far from where you find them.At least thats been my experience with them.

[Vin]

It absolutly works- Tog is a solid fighting fish - so be prepared to keep it pinned while using a paralyzer tip or it'll swim. Try breaking open a sea urchin/ crab- to get them close.

vin

[CTFreeDiver]

If you are new to spearing and looking for the most cost effective way to harvest fish I suggest whatever you choose for gear that you make a practice target first and experiment with that.

Tog are strong little fighters and go right for the bottom. There they try to get under the kelp and kick sand in your face. I find it is more difficult to get them with a pole spear. You have to be weighted just right for that particular depth, have a considerable breath hold, and return to the surface with the fish. With a gun you can shoot the fish, let go of the gun if you have a float line, and return to the surface to get another breath. That way you can return to the surface and make a second dive to deal with the fish. By that time it has probably calmed down. A single flopper may be better than a paralyzer tip.

There is no reason to lose a fish. A gun is simply much more efficient.

Good Luck,

CT

[OceanEd]

If you have a strong fish that fights, DON'T use a paralyzer tip. I would also not recommend using a single flopper tip. I would recommend a rotating (spinning tip) that has two floppers. That way, there is little chance the fish can shake or twist free.

The fish you see in my avatar was taken on a pole spear, and is a 43lb yellowfin grouper. I have also taken up to 40lb African Pompano with the same pole spear. It has a spinning tip with two floppers on the end and uses a tri-cut tip. I have not found anyting that works better for spearing strong fish that like to fight.

[detra]

I'm certainly no expert, and my spearing experience so far has been on scuba, but I have used a homemade polespear with an old screwdriver as a tip to take several tog's. I think a polespear would be sufficient and will certainly improve your technique

I'm just starting freediving, and enjoy doing things the hard way. Consequently, I have now made a hawaiian sling to go after tog and stipers. I guess my plan is get gun if I can manage enough trips to justify the purchase or my homemade contraptions do not work.

[cazzy]

My buddy used a 9', 2 piece pole spear that he purchased from Hanapaa's in Hawaii for $100, last weekend. It came with a paralyzer point without barbs, and is very powerful and a little difficult to track around rocks. He had barbs welded on and had trouble getting the Togs off but he had a blast. Their skin is tough and in some cases he had to cut them out. He shortened the barbs. I'll probably get one over the winter.

[Cast]

Thanks a lot for the replies. Ed, where can I find "a spinning tip that has two floppers". Do you have a pic? I don't like the paralyzer tip too. I think that is a good design if you want to shoot fish from the suface. but underwater, the dynamics doesn't seem right to me.

Ed, nice fish, btw. did you shoot its mouth on purpose? are you catch and release spearfisherman? :thumps:

[Cast]

That sounds a good idea. I was floundering with my scuba gear yesterday. As soon as I killed the first fish, some big stripers smelt the blood then followed me for the rest of the dive. One fish about 40" was just in front of me 2 feet away! Normally I can hardly see any big striper like that with scuba gear. At one time, I missed a flounder. he just took off and chase it into the darkness.


It absolutly works- Tog is a solid fighting fish - so be prepared to keep it pinned while using a paralyzer tip or it'll swim. Try breaking open a sea urchin/ crab- to get them close.

vin

[chasintail]

Could some post a pic of a tog? :confused:

[WreckDiver]

Here ya go Nikki

[Cast]

It is also called tautog or blackfish. I belive the name tautog is from American Indian.

http://www.acfishing.com/fishid/tautog.jpg

Could some post a pic of a tog? :confused:

[chasintail]

Thanks brutha.

[capteider]

polespears on tog are tough in heavy hunted areas. but in low pressure spots there fine. virgin spots = stupid fish . Still for all around hunting your better off with a gun.

[Rifreediver]

dont worry ull love the polespear....i only have a 5' fiberglass one thats old and i can get them just fine. you just need to be patient and make sure you hit towards the head.