Anglers in the northeast rave about boat fishing for blackfish. Also known as tautogs, this fish is known for putting up quite a fight and straining fishing rods so they are nearly bent in half from pulling. These fish have one goal and that is to pull your line into the rocks in the hopes of freeing themselves from captivity. For those without a boat, there is no need for you to miss out on the fun and adventure of these feisty fish. Though not often talked about, there are opportunities for shore fishing for blackfish and for those who either have no access to a boat or simply prefer shore bound fishing.

If you are in an area where the shoreline waters reach the optimal temperatures of 50-65 degrees and have rocky areas, they might be the best possible locations to find tautogs. Since these fish prefer to favor cooler waters, your options are probably even better in early spring and late fall. Once the waters begin their springtime warm-up, blackfish will head towards the coastline to feed in shallow water rock piles. This is where they will begin preparing to spawn and once that process is complete they will move out to the deeper, colder waters.

In the fall, you are even more likely to find blackfish hanging around the shallower shore waters. They move into these areas in order to fill up and prepare themselves for winter. They are generally found in fairly shallow water (6 feet in some cases) and in areas where shallow rock piles can be found. They will likely be found in areas that are home to barnacles, mussels and crabs as this is what they like to eat. To land a blackfish this provides a great opportunity for shoreline fishing.

Charts can be very useful in these areas, especially those that provide depth contours and identify rock piles that are along beaches and jetties. These are ideal fishing areas for blackfish and the right charts will help you identify them with ease. Tautogs will also be found hiding in rocky formations that can be identified when the tide starts changing – you can find those formations that extend into the water under breaking waves.

After you’ve identified the right fishing area, it’s time to verify that your gear is up for the task. Just remember, these fish are fighters every step of the way and their goal is to separate your line from your reel. You can get the upper hand easily by making sure that you have the right rod, reel and line. Keep in mind the shape of these fish – they have a stout body and a tail that resembles a broom. They waste no time at all trying to break off your line by dragging it into the rocks. Not only will you need a stout rod, but you want to make sure that you have a good drag system that will stand up to the abuse this fish will put upon you. In the case of reels you may elect for either a spinning or conventional style, depending on which one you feel offers the most control. You need to be able to stop this quickly as these fish are going to hit fast and attempt to flee even faster. Most surf anglers generally prefer an 8 foot rod, but in the case of blackfish, you might be better off with a 10 or 11 foot rod as it will allow you more upward pulling power and far more leverage.

Braided fishing line is growing even more popular because it does not stretch and it’s very sensitive allowing anglers to feel the slightest nibble. Under great conditions, many anglers feel that braided line is the way to go. This may not be the case for tautogs because these fish are going to head for the rocks as soon as they realize they’ve been caught. The problem with braided line is that when it’s under pressure from abrasion it’s going to snap. The best option if you feel that braided line is the best option is to use a very long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. In that instance, you’ll want a leader of between 18 inches and 24 inches and you’ll want to use a 30 to 50 pound braided line for best results. This is especially good if you are fishing in an isolated area and don’t have easy access to getting back to your tackle box for repair of a broken line.

If you do elect to fish with a non braided line, your best option is probably a monofilament line in the 17-30 lb range. This will prevent the blackfish from snapping your line in the rocky holes that they will no doubt head for the minute they are on your hook.

Your rig can be a simple slider rig created from a 2-4 ounce slider sinker threaded on your line. Use caution that your barrel is sufficient to battle with this stout fish – remember he’s going to fight you tooth and nail – it should be rated for upwards of 50 pounds. Add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 octopus hook and you’ll likely have fairly good success. This type of a rig will allow you to keep your sinker along the bottom – since the blackfish will do his best to steal your bait and head for rocks, the rig will allow you to prevent the tautog from feeling the initial resistance that could make him bolt.

Bait isn’t that much of a challenge if you know the dietary habit of the tautog. Crabs, clams and sandworms are all part of their diets and so are mussels. You can toss your rig complete with any of these bait choices into rocky areas to lure blackfish. Just make sure that instead of using a sand spike that you are holding onto your rod – remember, these fish are interested in not getting caught and if you don’t start reeling them in right away they are liable to take off immediately after stealing your bait. As many others have, northeast anglers will enjoy tackling these aggressive tautogs from onshore.

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 van staal reel, okuma fishing reel, and shimano spinning reels.

Anglers love talking about the fun they have fishing for tautog – blackfish - and will regale you with tales about using crabs and sandworms and fighting with these strong fish from the gunwale of their boats. They are likely to tell you about their rods – bending almost in half while they fight for all they are worth to get this fish from his rocky haven. Those without a boat or access to a boat often feel that they are left out from this feisty catch. It doesn’t have to be that way, you simply need to know where to find them and how to fish for them. Unlike other shore fishing, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information about shore bound blackfish.

If you are in an area where the shoreline waters reach the optimal temperatures of 50-65 degrees and have rocky areas, they might be the best possible locations to find tautogs. Since these fish prefer to favor cooler waters, your options are probably even better in early spring and late fall. Once the waters begin their springtime warm-up, blackfish will head towards the coastline to feed in shallow water rock piles. This is where they will begin preparing to spawn and once that process is complete they will move out to the deeper, colder 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.

Charts can be very useful in these areas, especially those that provide depth contours and identify rock piles that are along beaches and jetties. These are ideal fishing areas for blackfish and the right charts will help you identify them with ease. Tautogs will also be found hiding in rocky formations that can be identified when the tide starts changing – you can find those formations that extend into the water under breaking waves.

Locating the best fishing area may be the least of your concerns if you’re after blackfish. Remember these fish are fighters – they not only don’t want to be caught, but their unique shape with their broom-like tail and stout body mean that they can quickly get the upper hand on you with their strength. The tautog wastes no time at all – their entire purpose once they are on your line is to see if they can get the best of you by dragging your line to the rocks. This need not be problematic if you have the right tackle. A stout rod with a strong drag system will help you ensure that the fish doesn’t win. Your reel can be whichever you feel you have the most control over - conventional or spinning – whichever you choose make sure that you have complete control. Remember that speed matters when you are fighting a blackfish – they are going to hit and run faster than you might think. In general a 10 to 11 foot rod is the best choice for blackfish even though most surf anglers will use an 8 foot rod. The longer rod will give you the additional leverage you need for blackfish.

Braided fishing line is growing even more popular because it does not stretch and it’s very sensitive allowing anglers to feel the slightest nibble. Under great conditions, many anglers feel that braided line is the way to go. This may not be the case for tautogs because these fish are going to head for the rocks as soon as they realize they’ve been caught. The problem with braided line is that when it’s under pressure from abrasion it’s going to snap. The best option if you feel that braided line is the best option is to use a very long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. In that instance, you’ll want a leader of between 18 inches and 24 inches and you’ll want to use a 30 to 50 pound braided line for best results. This is especially good if you are fishing in an isolated area and don’t have easy access to getting back to your tackle box for repair of a broken line.

If you do elect to fish with a non braided line, your best option is probably a monofilament line in the 17-30 lb range. This will prevent the blackfish from snapping your line in the rocky holes that they will no doubt head for the minute they are on your hook.

The best bait rig for the blackfish could very well be the simple slider rig. It’s easy to create with a 2-4 ounce slider sinker which you thread onto your line. The barrel should be rated for up to 50 lbs and you can add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader (1 ½ - 2 feet) which has an octopus hook (2/0 size). This allows your sinker to stay along the bottom because there is little doubt that the blackfish is going to do his very best to take your bait and make a run for it. This type of rig will allow your line to pass through the sinker and the blackfish will not feel the resistance.

Typically bait for a blackfish will be clams, crabs or sandworms and you may even consider mussels. Just toss it into the rocky area and hang onto your rod. It’s not recommended that you sit your rod in a sand spike because any delay and you could lose the blackfish – they are prone to snatching up your bait and they could very well spit it out before you get a chance to hook them. Have fun landing these aggressive blackfish in the northeast waters.

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 van staal reels, okuma fishing reels, and shimano saltwater spinning reels.

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.

Blackfish tend to move towards the shoreline in the fall in the hopes of getting fattened up in time for the winter months that lie ahead of them. They can be found in waters as shallow as 6 feet during these times, again in shallow rock piles. You’ll likely find them feasting on mussels, crabs and barnacles in these areas and if you’re interested in shoreline fishing, this is a great opportunity to get in some fun fishing for blackfish.

Charts can be very useful in these areas, especially those that provide depth contours and identify rock piles that are along beaches and jetties. These are ideal fishing areas for blackfish and the right charts will help you identify them with ease. Tautogs will also be found hiding in rocky formations that can be identified when the tide starts changing – you can find those formations that extend into the water under breaking waves.

After you’ve identified the right fishing area, it’s time to verify that your gear is up for the task. Just remember, these fish are fighters every step of the way and their goal is to separate your line from your reel. You can get the upper hand easily by making sure that you have the right rod, reel and line. Keep in mind the shape of these fish – they have a stout body and a tail that resembles a broom. They waste no time at all trying to break off your line by dragging it into the rocks. Not only will you need a stout rod, but you want to make sure that you have a good drag system that will stand up to the abuse this fish will put upon you. In the case of reels you may elect for either a spinning or conventional style, depending on which one you feel offers the most control. You need to be able to stop this quickly as these fish are going to hit fast and attempt to flee even faster. Most surf anglers generally prefer an 8 foot rod, but in the case of blackfish, you might be better off with a 10 or 11 foot rod as it will allow you more upward pulling power and far more leverage.

Line is a concern when blackfish are the game you are after. These fish will do their utmost to snap off your line at on every boulder that they encounter. While braided line is quickly becoming a favorite, because it does not stretch and because it is very sensitive to a bite, it’s problematic with tautogs. Braided line does not have the abrasion resistance that is available in monofilament and fluorocarbon line and therefore it’s likely to break if a blackfish drags it across the rocks. You can probably work around this by using a one and a half or two foot fluorocarbon or mono leader with a thirty to fifty pound braided line.

If you do elect to fish with a non braided line, your best option is probably a monofilament line in the 17-30 lb range. This will prevent the blackfish from snapping your line in the rocky holes that they will no doubt head for the minute they are on your hook.

Your rig can be a simple slider rig created from a 2-4 ounce slider sinker threaded on your line. Use caution that your barrel is sufficient to battle with this stout fish – remember he’s going to fight you tooth and nail – it should be rated for upwards of 50 pounds. Add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 octopus hook and you’ll likely have fairly good success. This type of a rig will allow you to keep your sinker along the bottom – since the blackfish will do his best to steal your bait and head for rocks, the rig will allow you to prevent the tautog from feeling the initial resistance that could make him bolt.

Bait isn’t that much of a challenge if you know the dietary habit of the tautog. Crabs, clams and sandworms are all part of their diets and so are mussels. You can toss your rig complete with any of these bait choices into rocky areas to lure blackfish. Just make sure that instead of using a sand spike that you are holding onto your rod – remember, these fish are interested in not getting caught and if you don’t start reeling them in right away they are liable to take off immediately after stealing your bait. As many others have, northeast anglers will enjoy tackling these aggressive tautogs from onshore.

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 van staal reels, okuma reels, and shimano spinning reel.

Anglers love talking about the fun they have fishing for tautog – blackfish - and will regale you with tales about using crabs and sandworms and fighting with these strong fish from the gunwale of their boats. They are likely to tell you about their rods – bending almost in half while they fight for all they are worth to get this fish from his rocky haven. Those without a boat or access to a boat often feel that they are left out from this feisty catch. It doesn’t have to be that way, you simply need to know where to find them and how to fish for them. Unlike other shore fishing, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information about shore bound blackfish.

For those in the northeast who have access to shoreline waters that reach 50-65 degrees, you are in luck. If these waters contain jetties and rock piles, you will likely be able to find tautogs in these areas. Understanding the feeding and migration habits of the tautog can help you identify the right areas. When the waters start warming up in the spring, it’s not unusual to find tautogs in the shallow waters around rock piles looking for places to feed. This is the area that they prefer for not just eating but for spawning. Once the blackfish spawns, they will begin to move out of these more shallow areas and move out to colder, deeper waters.

Blackfish tend to move towards the shoreline in the fall in the hopes of getting fattened up in time for the winter months that lie ahead of them. They can be found in waters as shallow as 6 feet during these times, again in shallow rock piles. You’ll likely find them feasting on mussels, crabs and barnacles in these areas and if you’re interested in shoreline fishing, this is a great opportunity to get in some fun fishing for blackfish.

Charts can be very useful in these areas, especially those that provide depth contours and identify rock piles that are along beaches and jetties. These are ideal fishing areas for blackfish and the right charts will help you identify them with ease. Tautogs will also be found hiding in rocky formations that can be identified when the tide starts changing – you can find those formations that extend into the water under breaking waves.

After you’ve identified the right fishing area, it’s time to verify that your gear is up for the task. Just remember, these fish are fighters every step of the way and their goal is to separate your line from your reel. You can get the upper hand easily by making sure that you have the right rod, reel and line. Keep in mind the shape of these fish – they have a stout body and a tail that resembles a broom. They waste no time at all trying to break off your line by dragging it into the rocks. Not only will you need a stout rod, but you want to make sure that you have a good drag system that will stand up to the abuse this fish will put upon you. In the case of reels you may elect for either a spinning or conventional style, depending on which one you feel offers the most control. You need to be able to stop this quickly as these fish are going to hit fast and attempt to flee even faster. Most surf anglers generally prefer an 8 foot rod, but in the case of blackfish, you might be better off with a 10 or 11 foot rod as it will allow you more upward pulling power and far more leverage.

Braided fishing line is growing even more popular because it does not stretch and it’s very sensitive allowing anglers to feel the slightest nibble. Under great conditions, many anglers feel that braided line is the way to go. This may not be the case for tautogs because these fish are going to head for the rocks as soon as they realize they’ve been caught. The problem with braided line is that when it’s under pressure from abrasion it’s going to snap. The best option if you feel that braided line is the best option is to use a very long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. In that instance, you’ll want a leader of between 18 inches and 24 inches and you’ll want to use a 30 to 50 pound braided line for best results. This is especially good if you are fishing in an isolated area and don’t have easy access to getting back to your tackle box for repair of a broken line.

Rocky holes are the favorite hiding spots of tautogs. These blackfish are going to head straight towards any rocky hole that is available when they find they’re attached to your line. What winds up happening is that you are quickly going to discover that your line is being dragged over every rock that is in their path – monofilament line between 17 and 30 lb weight is probably the best possible choice for blackfish.

Your rig can be a simple slider rig created from a 2-4 ounce slider sinker threaded on your line. Use caution that your barrel is sufficient to battle with this stout fish – remember he’s going to fight you tooth and nail – it should be rated for upwards of 50 pounds. Add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 octopus hook and you’ll likely have fairly good success. This type of a rig will allow you to keep your sinker along the bottom – since the blackfish will do his best to steal your bait and head for rocks, the rig will allow you to prevent the tautog from feeling the initial resistance that could make him bolt.

Typically bait for a blackfish will be clams, crabs or sandworms and you may even consider mussels. Just toss it into the rocky area and hang onto your rod. It’s not recommended that you sit your rod in a sand spike because any delay and you could lose the blackfish – they are prone to snatching up your bait and they could very well spit it out before you get a chance to hook them. Have fun landing these aggressive blackfish in the northeast waters.

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 van staal reel, okuma fishing reels, and shimano saltwater spinning reel.

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.

Charts can be very useful in these areas, especially those that provide depth contours and identify rock piles that are along beaches and jetties. These are ideal fishing areas for blackfish and the right charts will help you identify them with ease. Tautogs will also be found hiding in rocky formations that can be identified when the tide starts changing – you can find those formations that extend into the water under breaking waves.

After you’ve identified the right fishing area, it’s time to verify that your gear is up for the task. Just remember, these fish are fighters every step of the way and their goal is to separate your line from your reel. You can get the upper hand easily by making sure that you have the right rod, reel and line. Keep in mind the shape of these fish – they have a stout body and a tail that resembles a broom. They waste no time at all trying to break off your line by dragging it into the rocks. Not only will you need a stout rod, but you want to make sure that you have a good drag system that will stand up to the abuse this fish will put upon you. In the case of reels you may elect for either a spinning or conventional style, depending on which one you feel offers the most control. You need to be able to stop this quickly as these fish are going to hit fast and attempt to flee even faster. Most surf anglers generally prefer an 8 foot rod, but in the case of blackfish, you might be better off with a 10 or 11 foot rod as it will allow you more upward pulling power and far more leverage.

Line is a concern when blackfish are the game you are after. These fish will do their utmost to snap off your line at on every boulder that they encounter. While braided line is quickly becoming a favorite, because it does not stretch and because it is very sensitive to a bite, it’s problematic with tautogs. Braided line does not have the abrasion resistance that is available in monofilament and fluorocarbon line and therefore it’s likely to break if a blackfish drags it across the rocks. You can probably work around this by using a one and a half or two foot fluorocarbon or mono leader with a thirty to fifty pound braided line.

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.

The best bait rig for the blackfish could very well be the simple slider rig. It’s easy to create with a 2-4 ounce slider sinker which you thread onto your line. The barrel should be rated for up to 50 lbs and you can add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader (1 ½ - 2 feet) which has an octopus hook (2/0 size). This allows your sinker to stay along the bottom because there is little doubt that the blackfish is going to do his very best to take your bait and make a run for it. This type of rig will allow your line to pass through the sinker and the blackfish will not feel the resistance.

Bait isn’t that much of a challenge if you know the dietary habit of the tautog. Crabs, clams and sandworms are all part of their diets and so are mussels. You can toss your rig complete with any of these bait choices into rocky areas to lure blackfish. Just make sure that instead of using a sand spike that you are holding onto your rod – remember, these fish are interested in not getting caught and if you don’t start reeling them in right away they are liable to take off immediately after stealing your bait. As many others have, northeast anglers will enjoy tackling these aggressive tautogs from onshore.

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 van staal reel, okuma fishing reel, and shimano spinning reels.

Anglers love talking about the fun they have fishing for tautog – blackfish - and will regale you with tales about using crabs and sandworms and fighting with these strong fish from the gunwale of their boats. They are likely to tell you about their rods – bending almost in half while they fight for all they are worth to get this fish from his rocky haven. Those without a boat or access to a boat often feel that they are left out from this feisty catch. It doesn’t have to be that way, you simply need to know where to find them and how to fish for them. Unlike other shore fishing, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information about shore bound blackfish.

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.

Blackfish tend to move towards the shoreline in the fall in the hopes of getting fattened up in time for the winter months that lie ahead of them. They can be found in waters as shallow as 6 feet during these times, again in shallow rock piles. You’ll likely find them feasting on mussels, crabs and barnacles in these areas and if you’re interested in shoreline fishing, this is a great opportunity to get in some fun fishing for blackfish.

Charts can be very useful in these areas, especially those that provide depth contours and identify rock piles that are along beaches and jetties. These are ideal fishing areas for blackfish and the right charts will help you identify them with ease. Tautogs will also be found hiding in rocky formations that can be identified when the tide starts changing – you can find those formations that extend into the water under breaking waves.

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.

Line is a concern when blackfish are the game you are after. These fish will do their utmost to snap off your line at on every boulder that they encounter. While braided line is quickly becoming a favorite, because it does not stretch and because it is very sensitive to a bite, it’s problematic with tautogs. Braided line does not have the abrasion resistance that is available in monofilament and fluorocarbon line and therefore it’s likely to break if a blackfish drags it across the rocks. You can probably work around this by using a one and a half or two foot fluorocarbon or mono leader with a thirty to fifty pound braided line.

If you do elect to fish with a non braided line, your best option is probably a monofilament line in the 17-30 lb range. This will prevent the blackfish from snapping your line in the rocky holes that they will no doubt head for the minute they are on your hook.

Your rig can be a simple slider rig created from a 2-4 ounce slider sinker threaded on your line. Use caution that your barrel is sufficient to battle with this stout fish – remember he’s going to fight you tooth and nail – it should be rated for upwards of 50 pounds. Add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 octopus hook and you’ll likely have fairly good success. This type of a rig will allow you to keep your sinker along the bottom – since the blackfish will do his best to steal your bait and head for rocks, the rig will allow you to prevent the tautog from feeling the initial resistance that could make him bolt.

Typically bait for a blackfish will be clams, crabs or sandworms and you may even consider mussels. Just toss it into the rocky area and hang onto your rod. It’s not recommended that you sit your rod in a sand spike because any delay and you could lose the blackfish – they are prone to snatching up your bait and they could very well spit it out before you get a chance to hook them. Have fun landing these aggressive blackfish in the northeast waters.

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 van staal reel, okuma fishing reels, and shimano spinning reel.

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.

Blackfish tend to move towards the shoreline in the fall in the hopes of getting fattened up in time for the winter months that lie ahead of them. They can be found in waters as shallow as 6 feet during these times, again in shallow rock piles. You’ll likely find them feasting on mussels, crabs and barnacles in these areas and if you’re interested in shoreline fishing, this is a great opportunity to get in some fun fishing for blackfish.

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.

Locating the best fishing area may be the least of your concerns if you’re after blackfish. Remember these fish are fighters – they not only don’t want to be caught, but their unique shape with their broom-like tail and stout body mean that they can quickly get the upper hand on you with their strength. The tautog wastes no time at all – their entire purpose once they are on your line is to see if they can get the best of you by dragging your line to the rocks. This need not be problematic if you have the right tackle. A stout rod with a strong drag system will help you ensure that the fish doesn’t win. Your reel can be whichever you feel you have the most control over - conventional or spinning – whichever you choose make sure that you have complete control. Remember that speed matters when you are fighting a blackfish – they are going to hit and run faster than you might think. In general a 10 to 11 foot rod is the best choice for blackfish even though most surf anglers will use an 8 foot rod. The longer rod will give you the additional leverage you need for blackfish.

Braided fishing line is growing even more popular because it does not stretch and it’s very sensitive allowing anglers to feel the slightest nibble. Under great conditions, many anglers feel that braided line is the way to go. This may not be the case for tautogs because these fish are going to head for the rocks as soon as they realize they’ve been caught. The problem with braided line is that when it’s under pressure from abrasion it’s going to snap. The best option if you feel that braided line is the best option is to use a very long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. In that instance, you’ll want a leader of between 18 inches and 24 inches and you’ll want to use a 30 to 50 pound braided line for best results. This is especially good if you are fishing in an isolated area and don’t have easy access to getting back to your tackle box for repair of a broken line.

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.

Typically bait for a blackfish will be clams, crabs or sandworms and you may even consider mussels. Just toss it into the rocky area and hang onto your rod. It’s not recommended that you sit your rod in a sand spike because any delay and you could lose the blackfish – they are prone to snatching up your bait and they could very well spit it out before you get a chance to hook them. Have fun landing these aggressive blackfish in the northeast waters.

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 van staal reel, okuma reel, and shimano spinning reels.