Tautog
Tautoga onitis
Also called: blackfish, tog
A stout, tough, structure-loving fish of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, caught on crabs around rocks, wrecks, and jetties.
- Type
- Bottom & Reef Fish
- Typical size
- 2 to 8 lb; fish over 10 lb are large
- Range
- The Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas
- Coasts
- Northeast Atlantic
- Where
- Reefs, wrecks & jetties
- Best seasons
- Spring and fall, with fall especially strong
Note: Tautog are slow-growing, and rules and seasons are strict. Size limits, bag limits, and seasons for this species change often, so check current state and federal rules before you keep one.
How to identify it
- A stout, dark, mottled body, often blackish-green.
- Thick white lips and a white chin on many fish.
- A rounded tail.
- A single long dorsal fin.
Often confused with
- Black Drum: has chin barbels and a more arched body.
Baits and lures
- Green or fiddler crabs
- Clams and sea worms
- Jigs tipped with crab
Techniques
- Fish a crab on the bottom right next to rocks and wrecks.
- Use a short leader and a heavy sinker to stay near structure.
- Set the hook hard right away, then pull the fish away from rocks.
- Expect to lose some rigs to the bottom.
Field notes
Tautog live around rocks and wrecks and crunch crabs and mussels with strong teeth. Fishing for them is about patience and feeling a subtle bite.
Related guides
Saltwater size limits, bag limits, seasons, gear rules, and license requirements change often and differ by state and in federal waters. Some species are catch-and-release only or closed in certain areas. Check your state's current fishing regulations before you keep a fish; our state resources directory links to each state's official wildlife and fisheries agency.