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.

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.

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.

Areas where you can find beaches and jetties are almost always laid out on very good charts. Find one that not only lays these out but also provides you with depth contours which will allow you to find the best possible areas for shoreline fishing. Breaking waves should be watched to see where rocky formations exist that run from the shoreline into the deeper waters. These areas almost always will be a hiding spot for blackfish.

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.

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