Expert-Guided Cape Cod Blackfish Fishing Trip

Published Date: November 17, 2025
Fishing

Cape Cod
$600 - $1,200 price range

Summary

Spring is prime time for blackfish on Cape Cod, and Capt. Joey knows just where to find them. His 25' Bluefin center console is set up for comfort and success, with room for up to six anglers. You'll be fishing reefs and rocky areas where tautog are hungry after winter. The boat's got quality gear, optional live bait, and even a clean toilet on board – great for families or mixed groups. A First Mate's there to help with everything from rigging to fish handling, so you can focus on the action. These blackfish put up a strong fight, and April through May is one of the best windows to target them. It's steady fishing with some serious pull when you hook up. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, and it's customary to tip the mate 10-20% for their hard work.

Expert-Guided Cape Cod Blackfish Fishing Trip

Blackfish Battles

Great Cape Cod seabass action for this happy family.

Two striped bass caught while fishing in Bourne

Strong Cape Cod Striped Bass catch for this angler.

3 striped bass caught in MA while fishing

Great Cape Cod Striped Bass action for this crew.

Strong Cape Cod fluke day with quality fish.

Cape Cod Blackfish: Spring Tautog Action

Get ready for some of the best blackfish action Cape Cod has to offer! Our spring Tautog trips are a local favorite, targeting these hard-fighting bottom dwellers right as they're coming out of their winter slowdown. Capt. Joey knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the fish using time-tested tactics. Whether you're a seasoned tog angler or trying it for the first time, you're in for a treat with some of the tastiest fillets around.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll be fishing aboard Capt. Joey's 25' Bluefin center console, a comfortable and capable vessel perfect for inshore fishing. With room for up to six anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your rods without getting tangled up. The boat comes fully loaded with quality gear - rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need to entice those wary tautog. Live bait is optional, but often the ticket to getting those big ones to bite. And don't worry about comfort breaks; there's a clean onboard toilet to keep things civilized, even when the fishing gets wild.

Our First Mate will be there every step of the way, helping with everything from rigging up to landing your catch. They're a wealth of knowledge and always happy to share tips, so don't be shy about asking questions. Remember, a 10-20% tip for the mate is standard and always appreciated for their hard work.

Tog Tactics & Terrain

Blackfish, also known as tautog or tog, are structure-loving fish with a knack for busting gear and breaking hearts. We'll be targeting prime rock piles and reef areas where these bruisers love to hang out. The key to success is precise anchoring and a delicate touch - you need to feel the bite and set the hook fast before they retreat to their rocky lairs.

We typically use stout rods with sensitive tips, braided line for no-stretch hooksets, and sturdy bottom rigs. Crabs are the go-to bait, with green crabs and Asian shore crabs being top choices. If you're new to tog fishing, don't worry - we'll show you the ropes and have you feeling that distinctive 'tap-tap' in no time.

Top Catches This Season

Spring tog fishing in Cape Cod can be red hot. We're talking about fish in the 3-8 pound range being common, with the chance at trophy fish over 10 pounds. The state record stands at a whopping 22 pounds, 9 ounces - and while fish that size are rare, you never know when the tog of a lifetime might decide to eat your bait.

It's not unusual for experienced anglers to boat a limit of keepers, but remember, it's about quality over quantity with these fish. A few good-sized tautog can feed a family with some of the best-tasting fillets you'll ever have.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Tautog (Blackfish) are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These buck-toothed brawlers are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish in the Northeast. They're ambush predators, using their powerful jaws and molar-like teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Tautog are relatively slow-growing and can live up to 40 years, which means the big ones are true survivors.

In the spring, tautog move from deeper offshore waters to inshore structure to feed and spawn. This makes late April through May prime time for targeting them. They're known for their initial powerful run towards structure, often breaking lines or straightening hooks if you're not careful. The fight is usually won or lost in those first few seconds.

Besides their fighting ability, tautog are prized for their delicious white meat. It's firm, mild, and sweet - perfect for a variety of preparations from simple pan-frying to more elaborate recipes. Many anglers consider them one of the best-eating fish in the Northeast.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something addictive about tog fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Maybe it's the challenge of outsmarting these wary fish, or the thrill of that initial run when a big one takes the bait. Perhaps it's the satisfaction of a well-earned limit of keepers destined for the dinner table. Whatever the reason, once you've experienced the excitement of spring tog fishing in Cape Cod, you'll be hooked.

Our trips are designed to give you the best shot at success, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. Capt. Joey's local knowledge means we're always on top of the best spots and latest patterns. And with our fully-equipped boat and experienced crew, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a lucky hat.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get in on some of Cape Cod's best spring fishing action, now's the time to lock in your date. Our tog trips run from late April through May, but prime dates fill up fast. Whether you're planning a trip with buddies, family, or looking to join as a single angler, we've got you covered.

Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so check our Trips & Rates page for all the details. And don't forget to pack a camera - you'll want to capture the moment you land that big blackfish to show off back home.

Ready to experience some world-class tog fishing? Give us a call or book online today. We can't wait to show you why Cape Cod is a top destination for spring blackfish action. See you on the water!

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 Endeavor Sportfishing

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 20

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Get ready for some serious blackfish action off Cape Cod this spring! Capt. Joey's 25' Bluefin center console is the perfect platform for targeting tautog as they aggressively feed on inshore reefs and rock piles. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to battle these hard-fighting fish. The boat comes fully equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle, plus the option for live bait to entice those big blackfish. An onboard toilet keeps things comfortable for everyone throughout the day. Your experienced First Mate will be there to assist with rigging, baiting hooks, and handling fish, ensuring you can focus on the action. Late April through May offers some of the year's best blackfish opportunities, so don't miss out on this productive spring fishery. Remember to bring cash to tip your hardworking mate at the end of a successful day on the water.

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