There is little doubt if you are interested in blackfishing that you’ve read our series so far. In our earlier article, you learned the basics, and now you are ready to put them to use. Remember, everyone has their own ideas and opinions as to what works, and before long, you’ll find out what works best for you. The method that we provide is simply based on our own personal experiences.
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.
Now that you’re ready to begin fishing, you’ll want to search out shallow water. It is highly recommended you use a depth finder to avoid issues with high rocks in shallow water, especially critical if you are fishing during low tide times. Once you’ve determined which way the current is running, you can move up current and find an appropriate rock shelf for fishing as this is where blackfish tend to hide. Make sure you let out anchor enough until you see the rock pile in your depth finder. Tie your anchor off and start fishing one side of the rocks. If you discover that it’s not a good location, you can simply pick up, anchor and move.
You should not need a weight of more than three ounces to get your bait into proper position and to engage your reel. Make sure that your line is tight but mimicking balancing your sinker. This will help you maintain the right tension on your line and also prevent losing your sinkers in the rocks. As the fish begin to capture the scent of the bait, they will begin moving towards it. You are likely to run into some popular thieves like porgies and cunner – so make sure that you know the difference between the types of bites that these fish will display. Blackfish strike in a two step like ka-thunk whereas the popular bait thieves tend to be quicker and respective. It’s more like ‘tap-tap-tap’.
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 Saltwater Reels, and Team Daiwa Reels.
