Blackfish Time

Family: Labridae

Genus a & Species:Tautoga Onitis

Description: Tautoga are usually a mottled brown to black shade on top with a white or gray chin and underbelly. They can grow up to 3 feet in length and 22 pounds, but are most commonly 2 to 4 pounds. They have thick rubbery lips and powerful jaws. The backs of their throats contain a set of teeth resembling molars. Together these are used to pick and crush prey such as mollusks and crustaceans. They prefer rocky areas and shipwrecks.

When water temps stay above 45 degrees the tog will stay on the jetties and in the back waters. The water temps will vary with the stage of the tide but if there are a couple contiguous tides where the water temps drop to 42-43 degrees, the tog leave for the deeper structures. This happened this season. One day a charter went out and fished inshore structure and they had a five man limit in 90 minutes. Others went to the same wreck two days later and the tog had left. They figured over 100 keeper size tog were on that one piece of structure.There are hundreds or perhaps a thousand or more keepers on the average ocean jetty.

Do Not Worry

We are exhorted to work for a living... to "occupy" until Jesus' return.

That said, we must do so in faith, understanding that as believers we are in His hands.

From Luke 12:

"Do Not Worry

22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[b]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

So, putting first things first, one needs to be right with the King first! Set your heart on things above!

Occupy until He comes, plan, work hard, but above all else: Trust in Him!

National Wetlands Research Center

An amazing library of information on species inhabiting wetlands of the US is available at
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/publications/specindex.htm

Take a look:

USGS National Wetlands Research Center Digital Library

Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates—Listed by Species Name

The index below lists the species covered in the species profiles series. There are 126 profiles in the series, and all are available in the form of PDF files. The highlighted number in each entry refers to the Biological Report Number and is linked to a digital copy of the original publication. We recommend using Adobe Reader 8+ to view these documents. The size of the file is indicated within parentheses. For assistance, please contact the NWRC Library or email the NWRC Librarian at nwrclibrary@usgs.gov.

[A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z]

A

Abalones,
black, green, and red, 11.32 (1.01 MB)
Alewife,
Mid-Atlantic, 11.9 (1.38 MB)
North Atlantic, 11.56 (1.12 MB)
South Atlantic, 11.111 (1.03 MB)
American eel,
South Atlantic, 11.24 (1.04 MB)
North Atlantic, 11.74 (1.28 MB)
American lobster, 11.33 (965 KB)
American oyster,
North Atlantic, 11.23 (931 KB)
South Atlantic, 11.57 (1.10 MB)
Gulf of Mexico, 11.64 (1.17 MB)
Mid-Atlantic, 11.65 (1.24 MB)
American shad,
Mid-Atlantic, 11.37 (917 KB)
South Atlantic, 11.45 (943 KB)
North Atlantic, 11.59 (846 KB)
Amphipods,
Pacific Northwest, 11.69 (789 KB)
Pacific Southwest, 11.92 (880 KB)

and the list goes on and on ....

In another direction - Winter on Sandy Hook

Christmas at History House
Weekends in December, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekdays, December 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
History House decorated for the holidays as it might have
been during World War II. Refreshments and music will get
you into the holiday spirit
Special Events at History House
Fort Hancock Evening Lantern Tour
Meet at the Post Theater Parking Lot.
Friday, December 5 at 6 p.m.
Walk around the fort to learn about garrison life during World War II.
Bring a flashlight. Ends with refreshments at History House
Children’s Christmas Crafts Workshop
Saturday, December 6, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bring the family, and make paper chains and
popcorn garland like in the old days.
Jazz at History House
Sunday, December 7, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
An afternoon of Classic Jazz by the John Doe Trio,.
An Evening Holiday Open House, Featuring the John Doe Trio
Saturday December 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Live ‘40s music and refreshments.
Santa Claus Visits History House
Sunday December 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bring your camera and take a photo with Santa.
Fort Hancock Holiday Walks
Meet at Post Theater Parking Lot
Sundays, December 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.
Take a tour around the fort and hear how the soldiers celebrated the
Holidays. Ends at History House.
All History House Holiday activities are Free.
Thanks to support from the Sandy Hook Foundation.

On the teaser

Sandeels have been prevalent this year, but even without them, fishing with a teaser is almost always recommended.

Sometimes it seems you "hit them on the head" with your offering. I've had multiple times where a first cast
brings a fish, then a long span of time passes before getting another hit, or perhaps no other hit for the session.

Here is such a fish, short and fat, that hit on the first cast this past Saturday at the Longport pocket.