Checked by DEC while kayak fishing late season blackfish (tautog) with

What a season closer for shallow water blackfish from the kayak. Although the bite was a little different than usual, we had some really great action for how late in the season it was. We were in about 20' of water and the water temps were below 50F but the fish were still on the chew, we just had to figure out the bite. Got my first DEC encounter as well while out on the kayak, and honestly its nice to see. It was a quick and pleasant encounter with the officers as they just checked our fish and info quickly, and we got right back onto the bite which never stopped really.
Make sure to check out Dan's video of the outing here: • Measure Twice, Keep On...
Light Spinning Setup:
Rod: modified shimano TMSX66M • Cutting the last eye o...
Reel: daiwa KGLT2000D-XH • Daiwa Kage LT 2000D-XH...
Mainline: Berkley x9 8lb. crystal amzn.to/38sLXjA (affiliate link)
Leader: Yo-zuri Hybrid Mono 20lb. test: amzn.to/3QNrH08 (affiliate link)
Lure: 1/2 - 3/4 oz. blackfish jigs
First-Person Camera: GoPro Hero 11 amzn.to/42Refec (affiliate link)
Third-Person Camera: GoPro Hero 9 amzn.to/42y7vCm (affiliate link)
External Battery: amzn.to/3M4xr1l (affiliate link)
Fish Finder: amzn.to/44SZglL
Fish Finder Battery: amzn.to/43CXweL
VHF radio: amzn.to/3oYciyj (affiliate link)
Fish soft cooler: amzn.to/46LGQ7P (affiliate link)
PFD: amzn.to/3pRU2Y0 (affiliate link)
Drysuit: amzn.to/3GvA1Lv (affiliate link)
Fish Stringer: amzn.to/3rFGZcO (affiliate link)
Trolling motor (modified): amzn.to/45yw3vC (affiliate link)
Track mounted cleat: amzn.to/3MRXr17 (affiliate link)
waterproof gloves: amzn.to/3SNAJv2 (affiliate link)
Playlist of the Hobie Compass 2021 kayak I use and the modifications I've done to it:
• Hobie Compass 2021 Kay...
check out sopeluv.com/shop for custom logo upf50+ performance fishing shirts
#kayakfishing #jigfishing #tautog #blackfish #fishing

[@gm1937]

Congratulations on reaching 7K subscribers! looking forward to fishing the "Peter Ranieri" jig or shad by the time you reach 10K. I'll be the first to place the order. Christmas Greetings from Gio, western long island sound.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Gio! I greatly appreciate the support you have provided thus far, thankful to just be able to fish and make videos. haha sounds good, I'm sure ill think of something to make one day - Merry Christmas to you and your family as well

[@fentog]

Nice ! Where are you ? LI or CT side ?

[@PeterRanieriII]

This particular day was on the CT side, (I’m usually in the LI side)

[@RexWang_NewYork]

👍👍👍

[@reinaldomoll]

Are those gloves really warm? Nothing seems to work for me, my fingers are always cold.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Theyr just ok. I have yet to find really good gloves, if you do please tell me!

[@reinaldomoll]

I will, may have to be battery heated ones lol.

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@reinaldomoll lol I’ve tried like a battery powered pouch and that was ok as well but once your hand gets wet it just becomes so difficult to get warm again

[@reinaldomoll]

@@PeterRanieriII that’s the key for sure. Probably have to take the glove off and deal with the fish. Then dry it off with a rag and put the glove back on,

[@jeffhilton2700]

Not cool to check kayaks in cold water like that. Seems too risky.

[@PeterRanieriII]

it went smooth this time, but yeah I can see it getting dicey with the boat that close

[@anewlookatlurestopwaterpop5466]

Good job peter some nice tog .

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks,For that late in the season, there were some good ones around! You had a good November too for tog!

[@anewlookatlurestopwaterpop5466]

Yes it wasn't too bad but next will be better.

[@onboard4793]

Nice vidéo , Why the US flag?

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks 🙏 just proud and thankful to be an American

[@onboard4793]

Thanks buddy for the answer take care and nice fishing

[@unionsquaregrassman]

Thanks for th video!

[@trevorshao]

The was a sec when u reached for the bucket and the kayak tip a bit 😮

[@PeterRanieriII]

It’s true, but this kayak has some very good stability. When I did that self rescue video, I was amazed at how much I had to rock the boat in order to roll it.

[@trevorshao]

@@PeterRanieriII link? For the Self rescue

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@trevorshao kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5u2kod-q9iWoMksi=n8-m3U5UjjM3NL0k

[@fishingtacklechannel]

It’s crazy how the system is rigged to go after recreational fisherman and smaller scale local commercial fishermen while commercial fishing corporations trash the ocean with their commercial net and overfishing.

[@PeterRanieriII]

cant argue with that, but I like that they are around

[@CytoplasmicGoo]

Recreational fisher people as a whole also pull a lot of fish from the water. It is good they come around, you have no idea how many trash people keep illegal fish.

[@fishingtacklechannel]

@@CytoplasmicGoo I never said they shouldn’t, what I want people to realize is that it’s rigged to allow mass overfishing for corporation while spreading narrative which misleads people into to think that the real problem is recreational and local fishermen.

[@wahidabdelbaky7200]

What registration you have to show? For the Kayak?

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@wahidabdelbaky7200 correct, since I have a trolling motor on it I need a registration for the kayak

[@waterboy5164]

Hey the season just started where the new videos?!? Question I just got a new kayak do you have any bumpers or anything to protect when fishing up against pilings ?

[@PeterRanieriII]

Yooo it’s go time man! Ima little late to the party this year, been really busy and in process of moving (not far though, same general area). Hopefully be able to get out the second half of April. I use pool noodles sometimes if I know I’ll be up against some barnacles. Just tie a rope from bow to stern and through the center of the noodle, works pretty good in the short term.

[@rubecork7102]

Really petty for the DEC to be checking out kayak fishermen. It just overall doesn't feel right. I wouldn't be thanking them.

[@PeterRanieriII]

I mean in fairness we saw them checking the nearby boats as well...it was for sure interesting having a boat that close to me tho, haha

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

I'll probably be fitting in one last trip on Saturday, since the forecast is calling for temps in the 50s. They've been doing combo trips instead of having separate boats for tog and cod like they usually do. You have your choice of bait, clams or crabs, so you can target the fish you want. The tog has been on fire all season, with some cod and sea bass mixed in for those going after them.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Love trips like that, always fun to catch multiple species. Hope you get out there and get some keepers man, could be the last window of opportunity for the seabass and tog at least.

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

@@PeterRanieriII Yeah, everything except cod closes on New Years. Even then, the last two years, the winter cod bite has been practically nonexistent. It always seems like they shut off in winter.

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@joshuariddensdale2126 interesting. yeah you really don't hear much about winter cod too much anymore, do they go to coxes in winter?

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

@@PeterRanieriII They do still go out to Coxes in the fall and winter. Had a fair day today. Lots of short seabass to pick through, but did manage two keepers.

[@gm1937]

Peter, wish I had the guts to fish in the semi-frigid cold....my boat is already wrapped for the winter break☹. You are right about enforcement.....it doesn't happen often enough. In general, the Sound fishery is healthy but I do see undersized fish harvested all the time from shore. The DEC is barely making a dent. Responsible fishermen like you and so many others continue to do our small part to sustain this fishery so that others can enjoy it as well. If you take a cod fish trip on the Viking, I'd love to see that video! greetings from Gio, Western Long Island Sound.

[@PeterRanieriII]

Hey Gio, it really was right around my cut off for comfort out there, lol. I completely agree, healthy but damage can still be done with the amount of bad actors out there, I guess they just dont have the man power to patrol such a vast area. I will certainly make a video if I get a chance at the cod. Seriously tho, let me know if you make a trip as well!

[@francus7227]

Okay Peter, As is often the case with addictions and obsessions, the big picture can be obscured. I'll time stamp it to help you..... 0:34. Your repeated mentioning of a "soft bite". Any outside observer can see what it really is.... It's NUMBNESS ! 26° ! ! ! Nice clip.... again. Look forward to the next one. Thanks.

[@PeterRanieriII]

bahaha - I cant deny that one Francus It said it was going up into the 40's but I dont think it did, sun never came out and the wind was stiff enough to keep the extremedies numb. I actually had to spend 5min chipping ice out of my rod holders before launching, lol. Thanks as always, see you on the next one

[@allseasonfishing4030]

nice ones bro

[@PeterRanieriII]

Thanks man , just glad they were biting like that!

[@carlbellinghausen9040]

From one kayaker to another. You have a Merry Christmas to you and your family, we'll see you in the Spring.

[@PeterRanieriII]

why thank you 🤙 fellow kayaker, merry christmas and see you in spring!

[@anthonymarotta9372]

Great video as usual !!! Been check your vids out for a few seasons now !!! You dont disappoint with action. I was wondering what kind of camera are you vetti g your underwater images with !! Often thought about getting one but no clue on what to get ..

[@PeterRanieriII]

Awesome 😎 I’m just using a hero 9 GoPro. It’s on a 3D printed fishing line mount I found on Amazon a few years ago, can’t seem to find it anymore 😢

[@anthonymarotta9372]

@@PeterRanieriII thanks Pete appreciate the info tight lines .

[@johnlin31]

Where did you fish in this video?

[@PeterRanieriII]

I was still in the western sound but just on the other side of the sound from where I usually fish locally

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Great video as always and loved the journey this year. If you don't mind me asking, which wetsuit do you have any do you have any reviews on it that you wouldn't mind sharing?

[@PeterRanieriII]

Hey man glad to hear you enjoyed the vids this season. We’ll see you back up this way next year I’m sure. So I actually use a dry suit when the water gets near that 60f mark. Ive heard of people using wet suits under their clothes and I’m sure that’s a good alternative to nothing but a drysuit is def the safest way to go. I have the kokatat angler, put a link in description, it’s awesome, and I would recommend. I’m sure there’s many others out there that are great though. You get used to wearing a dry suit after a while, honestly I don’t mind it at all

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

@@PeterRanieriII yes sorry, I mis-typed, I meant drysuit. I'm looking and going to buy one but wanted find out which one you had an how breathable you thought it was. I'm looking at the Kokatat Gor-Tex-Pro but they are supper expensive. I def need to get one especially to expand the fishing season when I make trips up to Long Island in November and I typically fish all year long here in Maryland. Thanks for include the link in the description.

[@PeterRanieriII]

sry here was the link: amzn.to/3GvA1Lv i just looked at the gor-tex-pro and your right that one is a bit more expesive than mine. Not really sure how much of a difference it would make. I mean I dont ever really feel like mine is not breathable enough. On hotter days I'll admit I sweat a little in it so maybe the fore tex one would prevent that to an extent. They look very similar otherwise though - i do reccommend these, have had zero issues, been 2 seasons, just rinse after each use and keep indoors to prevent the sun from corroding the latex

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

@@PeterRanieriII thanks for the extra info.