Tautog - also known as Blackfish
This page has information on tautog, also known as tog or blackfish. Tautog are 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. 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 11/30/2009)
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
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- Blackfish - tautog t-shirts, stickers, coffee mugs, gifts, artwork, logos, icons, photographs and more.
- Fishing Charters and Guides
- Fishing charters and guides to take you tautog fishing!
- Fishing for Tautog (Blackfish)
- Fishing for tautog (blackfish).
- Seafood Recipes
- Find a recipe for tautog here!
- How to Clean and Fillet Tautog
- Cleaning tautog (blackfish) and other saltwater fish.
- Virginia Tautog Fishing
- Charter boat fishing in Virginia for tautog (blackfish).
- Virginia Saltwater Fishing
- Virginia Saltwater Fishing provides news, events, articles and other information about saltwater fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, coastal waters and offshore areas of Virginia.
Tautog T-Shirts, Stickers, Hats
Blackfish - Tautog (m) Sweatshirt
Price: 35.99
Blackfish-Tautog (fm) Women's T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Blackfish - Tautog (m) Golf Shirt
Price: 19.99
Blackfish - Tautog (m) Cap
Price: 19.99
Blackfish - Tautog (m) Sticker (Oval)
Price: 4.49
Cleaning and Cooking Tautog - Blackfish
Tautog are excellent table fare.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.
Tautog Fishing Aboard Morningstar
Morningstar, a 22 passenger head boat based in Ocean City Maryland has a reputation for offering some of the best tautog fishing on the East Coast.
To book a trip or learn more about tautog fishing and artificial reefs, visit Morningstar - Ocean City MD.
To book a trip or learn more about tautog fishing and artificial reefs, visit Morningstar - Ocean City MD.
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBest Baits for Tautog Fishing
Anglers use a variety of baits for catching tautog. The following are a few of the most common baits used by Atlantic Coast tautog-blackfish anglers:
Green Crab
The green crab is an introduced species that is originally from Northern Europe. Their shell size can be up to 3". Green crabs are now found from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Rock Crab
The rock crab is a common species of shallow-water crab. It is usually found sheltering in nooks and crevices. It is a fairly unaggressive species. Size: to 5". Range: Labrador to South Carolina.
Jonah Crab
The Jonah crab is a species of crab found on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is closely related to the Dungeness crab of the Pacific Coast. Jonah Crabs look similar to rock crabs due to similar color and possessing 9 teeth on each side of the eye. Jonahs have black tips on their claws and a rougher shell edge as compared to rock crabs.
Green Crab
The green crab is an introduced species that is originally from Northern Europe. Their shell size can be up to 3". Green crabs are now found from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Rock Crab
The rock crab is a common species of shallow-water crab. It is usually found sheltering in nooks and crevices. It is a fairly unaggressive species. Size: to 5". Range: Labrador to South Carolina.
Jonah Crab
The Jonah crab is a species of crab found on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is closely related to the Dungeness crab of the Pacific Coast. Jonah Crabs look similar to rock crabs due to similar color and possessing 9 teeth on each side of the eye. Jonahs have black tips on their claws and a rougher shell edge as compared to rock crabs.
Fishing
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Saltwater Fishing Books
Tautog Regulations
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the Interstate FMP for Tautog in 1996. Following the approval of the original plan, a series of addenda have been developed to further reduce fishing mortality.
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
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
Saltwater Fish T Shirts
Looking for a saltwater fish t-shirt? Visit our Outdoors USA online store
Mako Shark White T-Shirt
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Black Drum Icon Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 22.99
Live Wahoo Women's Pink T-Shirt
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Yellowfin Tuna Hooded Sweatshirt
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Mahi Mahi Women's T-Shirt
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Saltwater Fish Information
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Fish Identification Posters
Commercial Fishing for Tautog
Several American states allow commercial fishing for tautog. Tautog are sometimes caught commercially in traps, trawling or by handline. They are also sometimes bycatch in other fisheries. Tautog commonly enter inshore and offshore sea bass traps, lobster pots or other fixed gear. Saltwater Fishing Magazines
Tautog - Blackfish Feedback
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- OhMe OhMe Apr 12, 2009 @ 7:20 am
- This was a very interesting read. I was not at all familiar with Tautog so learned a lot. Thanks.
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Reply
- RinchenChodron RinchenChodron Jan 11, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
- 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.
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- wayfarer wayfarer Dec 3, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
- Wow! Sounds like some great--and tasty--fishing!
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- The_Daz The_Daz Nov 4, 2008 @ 5:42 am
- Mmm sounds tasty! Never heard of Tautogs....
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- daybreak daybreak Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:09 pm | in reply to mdvaldosta
- Yes tautog are delicious fried, baked or broiled. The meat is mild and white.
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I maintain several sites including Chincoteague Island Virginia, Virginia Beach Va, Hampton Roads Va, Fresh Seafood, Nautical Art and Charter Boats an... (more)
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