10/31/23 RI Kayak Toggin

Weather forecast showed an offshore wind 10-20mph in the morning, subsiding in the afternoon to 0, and given there was no swell it seemed like an easy window to launch the kayak and get after some Tog. I launched mid afternoon into calm waters with virtually no boats. I was limited on time, and only had about 30 good crabs, so this wasn't going to be any Tog Marathon. Fished mostly within half a mile of shore off Newport and found solid toggin catching around 15 keepers half on jig, half on rigs, with the biggest fish around 7lbs. I only fished one spot all afternoon which was one of the many giant rock formations that drop from 40-60'. Started with the rig, but after awhile the bite dried up, so I switched to the jig and continued to catch. The bite only slowed down toward dusk and when I ran out of crabs. Probably had 20 shorts, and small seabass were also in the mix. I was hoping to find a double digit size Tog but today it wasn't meant to be, but it was a fine session. Didn't take any pics other than the brilliant sunset on the paddle back to shore, but did film this video. All Tog were released a little smarter, to hopefully continue their life cycle and be caught again in the future.