About Tautog; also known as Blackfish
These fish are very intelligent, long lived and extremely challenging to catch.
Tautog Basics
Tautog live along the Atlantic coast of North America from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, with the greatest number lying along inshore waters from southern Cape Cod to the Delaware Capes. Tautog live in structure such as rocky bottoms, wreckages and reefs.Tautog are stout bodied fish with a blunt nose. They are equipped with a thick-lipped mouth that has large conical teeth in front and flat crushing teeth in back. The single dorsal fin possesses a series of stiff, sharp spines, originates over the gill slit and runs back nearly to the tail.
The color of the tautog's body ranges from dark green to black, with these shades mottling a lighter background color of the sides. The belly is only slightly lighter than the sides. The white chin characteristic of large tautog has led to many anglers to call this fish the "white chin."
Tautog are very slow growing. Large tautog caught with hook-and-line sometimes exceed 20 pounds although typically anglers may catch fish that weigh 2 to 10 pounds. Males typically grow faster and live longer than females. The maximum age for males appears to be about 35 years.
Tautog or Blackfish
Tautog are a challenge to catch and thrilling to fish for. Tautog live in and around structure such as rocky bottoms, sunken ships and artificial reefs. Tackle and techniques are simple and no prior experience is needed to catch these tasty fish. They vary in size from about 12 inches to perhaps 12 lbs or more. They are very tough fighters and excellent table fare.
Tautog Fishing on DVD
HOW TO CATCH TAUTOG
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
This DVD has tips on catching tautog-blackfish.
Tautog Rigs
Anglers use a variety of leaders for tautog. Since the fishing is all in very rough terrain, tackle should be as snag resistant as possible.The simplest rig is a hand made leader, usually of 20-40 lb test monofilament line. Anglers can increase the rigs resistance to snagging by using only one hook, tying on the sinker with a weak knot and using light hooks that can be straightened out.
A loop in the leader using a surgeon's knot or other knot can be used to attach the hook. A similar loop at the top allows connection to a swivel.
Tautog -Blackfish Links
- Fishing Charters and Guides
- Fishing charters and guides to take you tautog fishing!
- Seafood Recipes
- Find a recipe for tautog here!
- Fishing for Tautog (Blackfish)
- Fishing for tautog (blackfish).
- Cleaning and Cooking Tautog
- Cleaning tautog (blackfish) and other saltwater fish.
- Virginia Tautog Fishing
- Charter boat fishing in Virginia for tautog (blackfish).
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Cleaning and Cooking Tautog
Tautog are excellent table fare. They live a long time in a cooler and may actually be live when you get them home. An ice pick to the spinal cord just behind the head will euthanize them quickly.
The fish are incredibly slippery! It is best to rinse them thoroughly and lay them,out on a rough surface. A sharp fillet knife is needed to cut around the outline of the fish, making the front cut behind the head and pectoral fin. Then the skin can easily be peeled off by using pliers and peeling from the head to tail.
Once the skin is off you can fillet the fish normally. There are a few rib bones which can be cut out after filleting.
The meat is firm, white and mild flavored. Tautog is delicious fried, baked or grilled. Rinse the fillets and immediately store on ice or refrigerate them.
Here is a simple recipe for baked tautog with vegetables:
Ingredients
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/4 lb. mushrooms chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 lbs. of fillets
Place the fish in a buttered baking pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and bake 5 minutes at 325°. Meanwhile, sweat onions, garlic and mushrooms in butter until soft. Add the tomato, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Top the fish with the sauce and return it to the oven for 5 minutes.
For more information on cleaning and filleting tautog, see this tutorial on How To Clean Tautog. For tautog and other fish recipes, visit Seafood Recipes.
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Tautog Regulations
Given the long-lived nature of the species, with individuals over age-30 reported, the management program must be very conservative to rebuild the stock.
source: asmfc
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Fish Identification Posters
Commercial Fishing for Tautog
Saltwater Fishing Magazines
Tautog - Blackfish Feedback
OhMe wrote...
This was a very interesting read. I was not at all familiar with Tautog so learned a lot. Thanks.
Posted April 12, 2009
RinchenChodron wrote...
I've never heard of this fish, probably because I live in Colorado where we enjoy our Rainbow Trout. Keep on fishing and sharing recipes.
Posted January 11, 2009
daybreak wrote...
in reply to mdvaldosta
Yes tautog are delicious fried, baked or broiled. The meat is mild and white.
Posted November 02, 2008
