Tautog Fishing Tips and Techniques

 

Ocean Tautog Fishing

The tautog or blackfish is one of the most popular species caught by wreck and reef fishermen. Tautog are structure fish that can be difficult to hook and even more difficult to bring up.

A few of the top ports for catching tautog in the Mid Atlantic include Cape May New Jersey, Lewes Delaware, Ocean City Maryland, and Virginia Beach Virginia.

These are a few tips and techniques for tautog fishing along the Mid Atlantic Coast:

• Fish directly over structure, including shipwrecks, rocks, rubble, bridge pilings and artificial reefs.
• Use a basic top and bottom fishing rig when snags and hang ups are not a problem.
• Switch to a single hook rig in areas of extremely rough bottom.
• Carry a wide selection of sinkers ranging from 3-8 oz.
• Choose a rod and reel that can handle depths from 15-120 feet, and 3-8 oz. sinkers.
• Fish with braided lines for added sensitivity.
• Use baits such as blue crabs, green crabs, mole crabs, fiddler crabs, shrimp, and clams.
• When fishing whole blue crabs or green crabs, some anglers imbed both hooks in a single bait and remove or crack the shell of the crab.
• When using cut crab, leave the legs on and check baits often. Replace baits that have had the meat sucked out of the shell.
• Avoid excessive tension on the line and pay attention for minute signs of nibbling. Give a short tug upward when movement is felt.
• If the fish appears to be in the line, set the hook, lift the fish away from structure and then reel in gently.
• Tag and release undersize fish.
• Take no more fish than needed.
• Release female fish when possible.
• Identify sexes - Male tautog have blunter heads and darker, more solid coloring with a faint lighter spot on their flank. Females have a more mottled appearance and sloping forehead.
• Support Artificial Reef programs.
• Seek out party boats or charter boats with a reputation for successful tautog fishing trips.

Related Information

Shipwrecks and Obstructions

Artificial Reefs

Red Drum Fishing Tips

The red drum, also known as redfish or channel bass, is one of the most popular saltwater fish species in the USA. Red drum occur along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

In order to catch red drum successfully, it is important to understand their preferences, behavior, and other information. Red drum are specialized feeders with a variety of feeding patterns.

Juvenile red drum, known as puppy drum, feed on small fish, crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates. As they grow in size, their primary food sources tend to increase in size. Adult red drum are known to feed on blue crabs, shrimp, and a wide range of fish species.

Occasionally, anglers are able to observe red drum behavior on the water. By watching reds feed, anglers can develop fishing strategies that best suit the current conditions.

Perhaps the best known red drum behavior is a phenomenon called "tailing" in which individual fish orient themselves on an angle to feed on the bottom. In calm conditions, the tails of red drum can be seen protruding from the water. Tailing drum sometimes remain in a small area for several minutes, allowing anglers opportunities to sight cast with lures or baits.

Another known behavior of red drum is their habit of cruising shorelines during early morning and late afternoon. In some areas, small to medium sized reds can be seen within a yard or less of the shoreline.

During late morning thru mid day, drum tend to move into slightly deeper water. At times, their locations may be indicated by small fish jumping out of the water.

Each of these feeding patterns may call for specific baits, lures, and fishing techniques. As with most fisheries, nothing beats experience on the water when targeting red drum.

It important to remember that red drum spook easily in shallow water. Anglers should avoid causing wakes, abrupt boat movements, loud noises, or other actions when fishing for these intelligent fish.

For anglers that have limited time available for fishing, it may be worthwhile to fish with a professional guide or experienced local fishermen for a few trips.