Pier Togging

As blackfish (Tautog) make their move back inshore, they will be staging on backwater pier stanchions and around dock pilings.

Pier fishing is a walk on affair which requires no corkers or heavy duty gear to navigate the flat, concrete surface, making it easily accessible to land the formidable tog. You don't need the truly heavy gear that you would use togging out on the shipwrecks, but still need something with enough backbone to winch up a battling blackfish.

A 7-foot Fin-Nor Tidal series rod matched with a Shimano Torium 16, spooled with 50-pound Power Pro braided line does the trick for me. Rigs are simple. Many pier pounders employ a fishfinder slide rig when togging, consisting of a 2 to 3-ounce egg sinker lanced on the braided running line, a small orange bead, 150-pound Spro barrel swivel, then a short 20-inch length 40-to 50 pound Trikfish leader with a size 3/0 Gamakatsu or Mustad Baitholder hook on the end. Another typical pier toggin' rig is the simple dropper loop set up with a 3 to 5-ounce bank sinker on an overhand loop, then a snelled size #4 Virginia style hook looped on about 5 inches up from the sinker.

For maximum results on the pier, it is best to fish an hour before or after the slack tides, when current doesn't run too fast. If the bait is flailing around, blackfish won't be able to grab it. Pier pilings usually have plenty of mussel growth on them which attracts tog to feed in a big way. Drop the rig straight down and wait for a bite. Early fall baits include fresh pieces of clam, green crabs, and if you can get 'em, Asian crabs, as they are the most natural bait found around the pier and inlet areas. Other helpful items when pier blackfishing include a sharp pair of Cuda scissors, Calcutta needlenose pliers, and a simple bait rag to keep your hands clean and dry.

Gear Used:

• Fin-Nor Tidal Casting Rods
• Shimano Torium Star Drag Reels
• TackleDirect Egg Sinkers
• TackleDirect Bank Sinkers