Fishing For Tautogs
Generally when you hear anglers talking about fishing for blackfish (known as tautog) you will hear them telling you about using crabs and sandworms over the sides of their boats and enjoying the fight of this feisty fish. In fact, many will regale you with tales of their rods practically bending in half as they fight to drag these fish out of the rocks. You might be wondering – what if you don’t have your own boat or access to a boat – are you going to miss out on this fish? The answer to that is NO! While you might not be able to find a lot of information about shore fishing for blackfish, it is an option for those who prefer it.
Areas where shoreline waters are in the 50 to 65 degree range are perfect spots to find tautogs as long as they have rocky areas. Remember the blackfish prefers cooler waters and they will be found in these more shallow waters in both the spring and fall. In the springtime, tautogs will be seeking out shallow water rock piles to feed and they will also head to these areas for spawning before they move out to deeper, cooler waters.
Once fall arrives, the blackfish tend to move back towards the shore in an attempt to make sure that they are able to fatten up and prepare for the winter months that lie ahead. This is when you can find them in shallow rock piles – 6 feet in some instances. This is where they are scrounging for crabs, mussels and barnacles to fill up on. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in shore-fishing to have a chance to land a blackfish or two.
A good chart will help you locate the ideal spots for landing blackfish. If you find the right one, they will allow you to easily identify rock piles that are in the general area of beaches and jetties, which are good areas to start. If possible, the chart should also have depth contours which should help you identify the right areas. Rocky formations that extend into the water are also great places, and sometimes you’ll find them easier to spot under breaking waves as the tide changes. These areas can contain tautogs.
Your gear will have to be up to the task of taking on this feisty fish. You won’t get away with a weak rod or reel with tautogs. Since the goal of the blackfish is to separate themselves from your line by any means necessary and they have the bulky body and broomstick like tail that will allow them to do this, you have to be quick. Remember that these fish want to break your line off and they will immediately head for the nearest rock formation in their quest to do so. Make sure you have a good stout rod, and a reel that you can control well. Whether your reel is a spinner or a conventional one the secret to success with blackfish is having complete control of that reel. You are going to need to be able to stop the line from being released as quickly as possible since this fish is going to hit hard and he’s going to hit fast. Using a 10 or 11 foot rod might serve you better than the normal 8 foot rod that is preferred by most shoreline anglers. Not only will it be stronger, but it’s likely to give you the extra leverage you need to get the right upward pulling power needed for tautogs.
More and more anglers are turning to braided line for their fishing because this line offers unparallel sensitivity allowing you to feel the slightest nibble and the lines don’t stretch. The problem with a braided line is they are not very good under conditions that create any type of abrasion. Make no mistake about it, braided line is probably not your best option for blackfish angling. While they are strong in comparison to their diameter, a few quick drags on a rock and your line is history. You may want to think about using a leader – a couple of feet should do the trick if you use it with a 30-50 pound braided line – this will work fairly well if you are fishing in an isolated area and using a good monofilament fluorocarbon leader of the proper length.
Rocky structures allow the blackfish to not only fight with you, but they are likely to head straight for any rocky hole that is available to them. This exercise will result in your line being dragged over the rocks and therefore, you may find that a monofilament line that is of substantial weight (17-30 lb) might be a better choice of line.
Your bait rig will be your next consideration. An octopus hook (2/0 size) on a fluorocarbon leader will be a good option. Create your own slider rig with a slider sinker in the 2-4 ounce range, and thread that onto your line. Your barrel should be rated for upwards of fifty pounds and a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader around 2 feet long should be the best possible rig you can use.
The northeast waters provide ample opportunity for landing blackfish if you are using the right rig and the right bait. Toss clams, sandworms, mussels or crabs into the rocky area and be prepared to not give into the temptation hang your rod in a sand spike. You’ll be far better off holding on to your rod since the first sign of a hit you’ll want to quickly get a chance to hook the tautog and reel him in.
When you are getting prepared for a saltwater fishing adventure, having the proper equipment is essential. Some of the most popular products on the market include okuma reels and van staal reels.
Similar Fishing Advice info:
- Introduction To Togging It is important to keep in mind that any information...
- Fishing For Tautogs Generally when you hear anglers talking about fishing for...
- Blackfish 102 It is important to keep in mind that any information...
- Blackfish 102 It is important to keep in mind that any information...
- Fishing For Tautogs Anglers love talking about the fun they have fishing...