Expert-Guided Tautog Fishing | Rhode Island Inshore

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

$600 - $700 price range
Updated Date: August 28, 2025

Summary

Ready for some serious tautog fishing in Rhode Island? Join us on a 6-hour trip targeting these hard-fighting, delicious fish. We'll head out at 6 AM to hit prime spots like wrecks and rocky bottoms. You'll get to use both light and heavy tackle, giving you a real feel for different tautog techniques. This fall fishery runs from September through October, with trips on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Our boat can take up to 4 people, so bring your buddies or family for a great day on the water. The captain knows all the local hotspots and will put you on the fish. At $600 for the group, it's a solid value for a specialized inshore trip. Tautog (also called blackfish) put up an impressive fight and make excellent eating - you might just catch your new favorite fish!

Expert-Guided Tautog Fishing | Rhode Island Inshore

Tautog Takedown

Nothing like a Striped Bass fight.

Striper season never disappoints.

Silver stripes, solid fight.

Rod bent, Striper landed.

Tautog Fishing: Rhode Island's Hidden Gem

Ready to lock horns with one of Rhode Island's toughest inshore fighters? Our extended half-day tautog trip is your ticket to some serious rod-bending action. We're talking about six hours of targeting these structure-loving brawlers, known locally as blackfish. From September through October, we'll be hitting the hotspots where tautog love to hunker down. Whether you're a seasoned tog angler or new to the game, this trip's got something for everyone. So grab your buddies and let's get after some bulldogs of the sea!

What's the Deal with This Trip?

Picture this: You're stepping onto a well-maintained charter boat at the crack of dawn, the smell of salt in the air and the promise of a great day ahead. We're talking a 6:00 AM departure, perfect for beating the heat and catching the tautog when they're most active. You've got a solid 6 hours on the water, giving us plenty of time to find the fish and put you on some real quality catches. We'll be focusing on wrecks and rocky bottoms – the kind of gnarly terrain where tautog love to hang out. And here's the kicker – we're set up for both light and heavy tackle. That means whether you're into finesse fishing or want to muscle 'em out of their hidey-holes, we've got you covered. With space for up to 4 anglers, it's the perfect setup for a group of friends or family looking to tangle with some serious fighters.

How We Hook 'Em

Tautog fishing isn't your run-of-the-mill drop-a-line-and-wait game. These fish require some skill and finesse to outsmart. We'll be using a mix of techniques, from dropping jigs to fishing with crabs on the bottom. The key is feeling for that distinctive tog bite – it's more of a quick tap than a run. When you feel it, you've got to set the hook fast and hard. These fish will dive for cover the second they feel the hook, so be ready for a fight! We'll show you how to work your rod to keep them from wrapping you around structure. It's all about the right mix of patience and quick reflexes. And don't worry if you're new to this – we'll walk you through every step, from baiting up to landing your catch.

What Anglers Are Saying

"The captain was ready when we arrived, and the boat was spotless and clearly well cared for. He came fully stocked with plenty of fresh, live bait—more than enough for the day. Throughout the trip, he was friendly, professional, and clearly knew his stuff. We landed our main target, Tautog, and also picked up some Sea Bass, Porgy, and even a Puffer Fish. The equipment was top-notch and worked flawlessly. If I get the chance, I'd love to return and try for Bonito with him next time!" - David

The Mighty Tautog

Let's talk about our star of the show – the tautog. These fish are like the bulldogs of the sea: stocky, powerful, and not afraid to put up a fight. Tautog, also known as blackfish, are masters of structure. They love to hang around rocks, reefs, and wrecks, using their powerful teeth to crush crabs and other shellfish. In the fall, when we're targeting them, they're at their beefiest, often weighing in at 5 to 10 pounds, with some real monsters pushing 20 pounds or more. What makes tautog so exciting to catch is their initial run – when they feel the hook, they'll make a beeline for the nearest rocky crevice or wreck. It's up to you to turn their head and win that first crucial battle. And let me tell you, when you get one of these fish to the boat, you'll see why anglers get hooked on tog fishing. They're not just fighters; they're also some of the tastiest fish in the sea. With firm, white flesh that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic New England fish fry, tautog are as good on the plate as they are on the line.

Time to Lock In Your Trip

Alright, let's wrap this up. You're looking at a premium tautog fishing experience right in the heart of Rhode Island's fall run. We're talking six solid hours of fishing, access to some of the best tautog grounds in the area, and a chance to tangle with one of the Northeast's most sought-after inshore species. Whether you're a die-hard tog angler or looking to cross this fish off your bucket list, this trip's got you covered. Remember, we're only running these trips from September 1 to October 31, and spots fill up fast. At $600 for up to 4 people, it's a steal for a specialized trip like this. So what are you waiting for? Check out our availability, grab your spot, and get ready for some serious rod-bending action. Trust me, once you feel that first tautog hit, you'll be hooked for life!

Customer Review

Fish Frenzy Fave

The captain was ready when we arrived, and the boat was spotless and clearly well cared for. He came fully stocked with plenty of fresh, live bait—more than enough for the day. Throughout the trip, he was friendly, professional, and clearly knew his stuff. We landed our main target, Tautog, and also picked up some Sea Bass, Porgy, and even a Puffer Fish. The equipment was top-notch and worked flawlessly. If I get the chance, I’d love to return and try for Bonito with him next time!

David K

October 20, 2024

Learn more about the species

Tautog

Description

Also known as the Blackfish, the Tautog is a species of wrasse (a family of fish known for being multi-colored) that is more prominently found in South Carolina and Nova Scotia. The Tautog is known for its mottled skin (having smears and spots) and being stout in build. This fish has thick fins and strong teeth. But some have noted that the Tautog also have a habitat in Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, Virginia. Others have noted that the one they call “Blackfish Heaven” is in Long Island. The Tautog has thick, squared fins, and has a dorsal fin with 16 spines. It also has a preference for structured habitats in saltwater areas.

Diet

Like most of their wrasse cousins, they are considered “carnivorous” but feast more on marine invertebrates rather than attacking humans. The Tautog prefer a diet of clams, crabs, barnacles, and mussels. The Tautog’s teeth are built in a way that allows them to crush shellfish easily. And since shellfish are commonly around rocks, the Tautog have rubbery skin that is coated in slime. This prevents them from being cut up by the rocks while they hunt for their prey. Once their jaws lock onto their prey, they have an extra row of teeth in their throat which allows them to further grind the shells for easier digestion.

Size

On average, adult Tautog can weigh as heavy as 1 to 3 lb (0.45 to 1.36 kg). Currently, the maximum size of a Tautog is at 3 ft (0.91 m) and 28.8 lb (13.1 kg).

Interesting Facts

When the Tautog fish feed, they prefer feeding in the day time. At night time, the Tautog are so inactive that they just lie on their side. Because of this, people actually might have a better chance of catching a Tautog at night at the cost of having no light. Like any other animal, the Tautog may have strong photosensitivity that using light will make it perceive that it’s during the day which may make any angler lose their chance.

Despite humans not being their main target, it does not mean that the Tautog are not aggressive. The Tautog are quite territorial and only choose to leave their habitat if the seasons are slowly changing into winter. All the more they become territorial around late April to early August. During the span between the two months, the Tautog begin to reproduce. A female Tautog produces approximately 200,000 eggs. The larvae of the Tautog then drift the shallow seabed and mature in 3-4 years. And one way to tell if the Tautog has matured is if the bright green has faded. The less bright the green is, the older it is. These fish have a long lifespan of around 34-40 years.

Tautog Fishing - How to fish for a Tautog

What makes fishing for a Tautog difficult is not really its speed but its habitat of choice. Because the Tautog’s have a preference for rocky habitat, most anglers lose their nets not to the fish but to the rocky structures below where the Tautog hide. Most anglers would prefer not to use nets as they end up spending more. They prefer single-target fishing through rods with a sensitive tip but heavy end and mid-section.

Although common logic is to go for their habitat directly, fishing directly at a Tautog’s habitat might be counterproductive. Their habitat will definitely be a popular fishing spot. So, find a more obscure fishing spot. If the line doesn’t tug for 15 to 20 minutes, that’s a sign for you to change your fishing spot.

Another technique to secure your Tautog is the kind of bait to use. They like shellfish and the bait with the highest success rate so far is the Green crab or an Asian crab. Make sure to snip off the crab’s legs and claws so that they don’t cut anything. After that, crush the legs and claws if you can and let the dust fall around the area where you intend to fish. The scent caused by the crab shell’s dust will trigger a feeding frenzy from the Tautog. Feel free also to hook multiple crabs. But take note: this kind of bait only lasts 4-5 minutes. Any longer than 4-5 minutes and the bait will lose its effect. Make sure to change it after 4-5 minutes have elapsed.

Another technique is jigging which uses a more vertical motion than the spinning motion to attract them. By mimicking the motions of the crab using the hook, it’ll attract the Tautog more to your bait.

Habitat

The Tautog prefer living among structures. While they're still younger, they prefer living among eelgrass. But once they mature, the Tautog prefer more complex rock structures such as boulders, rocky outcrops, and jetties as their habitat.

About the Rogue Charter

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Maycraft

Maximum Cruising Speed: 20

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Join us for an exciting 6-hour tautog fishing trip off the coast of Rhode Island. From September to October, we head out Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 6:00 AM to target these hard-fighting fish. We'll explore wrecks and rocky bottoms where tautog love to hide, using both light and heavy tackle to entice them. With space for up to 4 guests, this $600 trip offers a great opportunity to experience one of Rhode Island's tastiest catches. Tautog are known for their powerful pulls and delicious white meat, making them a favorite among local anglers. Whether you're a seasoned fisherman or trying it for the first time, you'll enjoy the challenge of hooking these feisty fish. Don't forget to check our calendar for open dates and book your spot for a memorable day on the water!

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