As temperatures start to drop, fall becomes the perfect time for targeting tautog (also known as blackfish) in the Northeast. These hard-fighting, tasty fish are known for their tricky bites and love for rocky structures, making them a popular target for anglers. Here are four essential tips to help you maximize your tog success on the water this season.
1. Find the Right Structure & Location
Tautog are notorious for sticking close to underwater structures such as rock piles, reefs, jetties, and wrecks. These areas offer protection and plenty of food for tautog. Utilize fish-finding technology, such as sonar, to locate these rocky areas. Once you've found a good spot, anchor up and get ready—tautog rarely stray far from these structures. During early fall, your best chance of getting a bite is inshore. However, as the season progresses into late November and December, offshore fishing becomes the ideal choice to catch tautog.
If you drop down and start getting bites from smaller fish, it’s a good idea to stay put. It’s best to remain in areas with even slight activity, especially during colder months. However, if the area shows no fish activity and doesn’t improve, it’s worth moving on to find livelier waters.
2. Use the Right Bait
In the fall, tautog primarily feed on crustaceans. Green crabs and Asian crabs are their favorites, but fiddler crabs, clams, and shrimp work well too. Prepare your bait by cutting the crabs in half and removing the claws, allowing the scent to disperse in the water. Tautog have powerful teeth designed to crush shells, so offering them bait that feels and tastes natural is often key to getting a bite.
3. Use the Right Tackle
Given their love for rocky environments and strong resistance, tautog fishing demands durable tackle. A medium-heavy rod, a conventional reel with a high-quality drag system, and a braided line with a leader are ideal for handling the rocky bottoms and the strength of these fish. A good rod length for catching tautog is 6-8ft long, to give more leverage when you set the hook. A 15 to 50-pound braided line, paired with a 40 to 50-pound fluorocarbon or mono leader, will provide the strength needed while staying abrasion-resistant against rocks.
4. Fish on Overcast Days and Tidal Changes
Tautog tend to be more active during tidal changes, especially as the current stirs up food and brings it right to them. Aim to fish during these changes, whether it's at the beginning or end of a tide. Additionally, tautog often feed more aggressively on overcast days when sunlight isn’t as harsh on the water. Cloud cover can increase their confidence, prompting them to venture out from their rocky shelters.
By following these tips, you'll increase your chances of a successful day on the water. Remember, patience and persistence are essential with tautog fishing, but once you get the hang of it, the reward is well worth the challenge. Happy fall tog fishing!
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