How to Catch Tautog (Blackfish) in Connecticut: Tackle, Spots, and Tactics
Tautog — called blackfish by most Connecticut anglers — are one of the most rewarding saltwater species in Long Island Sound. They're not flashy like stripers or fast like false albacore, but they're cunning, powerful, and absolutely delicious. Tautog live in the rocks and fight like freight trains. Learning to fish them is a skill set worth developing.
Tautog Season in Connecticut
Connecticut has two primary tautog windows. Spring: April 1 – May 31, fish are active as water temps rise. Fall: October through December — the best bite of the year. Water temps in the 52–62°F range produce peak activity. As temperatures drop below 50°F, fish move deeper and become lethargic but don't fully stop feeding. Tautog go dormant in winter, burying in rock crevices. The fall run typically peaks in November in CT waters. Current regulations: check CT DEEP Marine Fisheries for season dates, size, and bag limits — they're strictly enforced and have changed in recent years. As of 2025: 16-inch minimum, 3-fish bag limit during open seasons.
Where to Find Tautog
Tautog are structure fish — period. Rocky bottoms, jetties, wrecks, mussel beds, bridge pilings, dock structures. If there's hard structure in 10–60 feet of water along the CT coast, there are probably tautog. Top areas: Housatonic River mouth, Milford Harbor jetties, New Haven Harbor, Branford Reef, Thimble Islands, Clinton Harbor, Niantic Bay, Thames River pilings, Watch Hill area (west RI border). Fishing from shore: the jetties at Milford, Clinton, and Niantic are all accessible and hold fish. Boat anglers can target deeper structure across the Sound, including boulders and the Reefs running offshore.
Best Baits for Tautog
Green crabs are the gold standard. Find them at bait shops along the CT coast — they're worth the extra cost. Size matters: smaller crabs (golf ball or smaller) work best, especially in fall. Crack the shell before hooking to release scent. Fiddler crabs: excellent, harder to find. Asian shore crabs: invasive species and a solid tautog bait — you can collect them yourself around rocky shores at low tide. Hermit crabs: very effective and underused. Mussels and clams: work when crabs are unavailable but not as good. Sand worms: will catch tautog in a pinch but not the first choice. Hook rigs: 3/0–5/0 kahle or octopus hooks on an 8–12 inch fluorocarbon leader, tied to an egg sinker or bank sinker. Keep it simple and close to the bottom.
Gear and Tackle Setup
Rod: Medium-heavy to heavy action, 6.5–7.5 feet. Tautog fishing is close-quarters work — you need power to keep them out of the rocks. Reel: Conventional or spinning — both work. If using spinning, go with a high-quality reel (Penn Battle, Shimano Stradic) with strong drag. Line: 20–30 lb braid mainline. No stretch means you feel every nibble and can set hard. Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 12–18 inches. Floro is more abrasion resistant around rocks. Sinkers: 1–4 oz depending on depth and current. You want to maintain contact with the bottom, not drag along it. Tip: tautog pick up the bait gently then take off — wait for a solid thump or steady pull before setting the hook. Don't react to the first tickle.
Fishing Technique
Drop to the bottom, take up slack, and hold your rod at roughly 45 degrees. You'll feel taps, clicks, and subtle takes as tautog investigate. Don't strike at every sensation. When you feel a solid, sustained pull or the fish starts moving, drop your rod tip slightly and then drive the hook home with a firm, sweeping set. Once hooked, pump hard and keep the fish away from the rocks — they will dive back into structure and break you off if given the chance. In areas with heavy current, fish at slack tide. Tautog feed most actively when current slackens — they don't fight the flow looking for food the way stripers do.
Eating and Handling
Tautog are among the best-eating fish in the Northeast — firm white meat, sweet flavor, holds up well to any cooking method. Keep them in a cooler with ice immediately. Clean and fillet as soon as possible — the flesh softens quickly. If you're releasing fish, handle gently: tautog are slow growers (a 20-inch fish may be 20+ years old). The CT DEEP strongly encourages releasing larger fish. A 16–18 inch fish is prime eating; fish over 6 lbs make a more meaningful breeding contribution when released.
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