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Newport's Best Fall Blackfish Trip | Endeavor
- Published Date: November 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Cape Cod
- Updated Date: December 14, 2025
Summary
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Tautog Takedown
Fall Blackfish Bonanza in Newport, RI
Get ready for some serious rod-bending action on this fall blackfish trip out of Newport, Rhode Island. Capt. Joey knows these waters like the back of his hand and he'll put you on the hottest tautog spots just outside the harbor. With an 8-hour day and room for up to 6 anglers, you've got plenty of time to load up on these hard-fighting bottom dwellers during their peak October to November run. The 25' Bluefin center console is decked out with quality gear and all the live bait you need to entice those wary 'tog. Better bring your A-game - these fish don't give up easy!
What's the Deal with Blackfish?
If you've never tangled with tautog (aka blackfish), you're in for a treat. These bruisers hang out around rocky structure and reefs, using their buck teeth to crush crabs and other crustaceans. That means we'll be dropping baits right into their living room. Blackfish fishing is all about feeling the bite, setting the hook hard, and muscling them away from the rocks before they can wrap you up. It's a true test of an angler's skills and Capt. Joey will show you all the tricks of the trade. Fall is prime time as the fish are fattening up for winter and the bigger ones move inshore. Water temps are perfect and the action can be non-stop if you hit it right.
Rigging Up for 'Tog
Blackfish fishing is a game of precision and patience. We'll be using sturdy conventional rods paired with high-speed reels to winch these bulldogs off the bottom. The go-to rig is a simple fish-finder setup with a sinker slide and a short leader to a strong circle hook. Green crabs and white crabs are the prime baits - Capt. Joey's got you covered there. The key is getting your offering right in the strike zone and detecting those subtle bites. Sometimes it's just a little tick, other times they'll try to rip the rod out of your hands. Either way, you've got to be ready to swing!
Anchoring up on productive spots is the name of the game. Capt. Joey's got a bunch of honey holes marked on the GPS, from boulder fields to wrecks and reefs. We'll set up, chum a bit to get them fired up, and start dropping baits. It's not unusual to hook doubles or even triples when you find a good school. Just remember, these fish fight dirty and will dive for cover at the first chance. Horse 'em up quick and we'll have some good eating in the box before you know it.
Why Anglers are Hooked on 'Tog
Ask any seasoned Northeast angler about their favorite inshore species and blackfish are bound to come up. They're a challenge to catch, put up an awesome fight, and taste amazing on the dinner table. Fall fishing is especially productive as the bigger fish move in closer to shore. You've got a great shot at some real slabs in the 5-10 pound range, with trophy fish over 15 pounds always a possibility. The rocky Newport coastline provides the perfect habitat and Capt. Joey knows all the prime spots to get you on the fish.
Tautog Lowdown
Tautog, also known as blackfish, are some of the toughest pound-for-pound fighters you'll find in inshore waters. These structure-loving fish have powerful jaws lined with molar-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and shellfish. They're ambush predators, using their dark coloration to blend in with rocky bottoms before pouncing on prey. Tautog are slow-growing and can live up to 40 years, with the biggest fish topping 25 pounds.
Fall is prime time for trophy 'tog fishing in Rhode Island. As water temperatures cool, bigger fish move inshore to feed heavily before winter. October and November offer the best shot at double-digit fish. Tautog are homebodies, often returning to the same rocky lairs year after year. That's why local knowledge is key - Capt. Joey has spent years dialing in productive spots.
Blackfish aren't just fun to catch - they're also excellent eating. The white, flaky meat is prized for its sweet flavor and firm texture. Whether you like them baked, fried, or in fish tacos, fresh tautog is hard to beat. Just watch out for those bones!
Time to Get Your 'Tog On
If you're looking for a fall fishing adventure that'll test your skills and fill the cooler, this Newport blackfish trip is tough to beat. Capt. Joey's got the local knowledge, quality gear, and prime baits to put you on the fish. Whether you're a seasoned 'tog pro or trying it for the first time, you're in for some awesome action. These fall blackfish don't mess around - be ready for screaming drags and bent rods!
Spaces fill up fast during peak season, so don't wait to lock in your spot. Give Endeavor Sportfishing a call and get ready for some world-class tautog fishing right in Newport's backyard. Just remember to bring a good grip - these bulldogs won't come easy!
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
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 20
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
