Top-Rated MA Fall Blackfish Trip | Endeavor

Published Date: November 17, 2025
Fishing

Cape Cod
$600 - $1,200 price range

Summary

Get ready for some prime fall Blackfish action off the coast of Massachusetts. This 8-hour trip runs from October through November, targeting hefty Tautog that gather on cool-season structure. You'll be fishing aboard a 25' Bluefin center console with room for up to six anglers. The boat's well-equipped with quality gear and even has an onboard toilet, making it a comfortable choice for families or anyone looking to spend a full day on the water. Captain Joey and his skilled First Mate will put you on productive bottom spots where fall Blackfish are feeding aggressively. They'll help with rigging, baiting, and fish handling to keep the action steady. Whether you're using live bait or lures, you'll have a shot at some strong, tasty Tautog during this prime seasonal window. It's a great chance to experience some of the best bottom fishing Massachusetts has to offer in the crisp fall air.

Top-Rated MA Fall Blackfish Trip | Endeavor

Tautog on the Line

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.

Fall Blackfish Bonanza in Massachusetts

Get ready for some serious rod-bending action as we chase heavyweight tautog along the rocky Massachusetts coast. Capt. Joey's fall blackfish trip is the real deal for anglers looking to tangle with these stubborn, structure-loving brutes. We're talking eight full hours of bottom-bumping and crab-crushing fun aboard a killer 25' Bluefin that'll put you right on the fish. Whether you're a seasoned tog hunter or just getting your feet wet, this autumn adventure is guaranteed to deliver memories and maybe even your personal best blackfish.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll be leaving the dock at first light, so grab your coffee and get ready to rumble. Capt. Joey knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll be putting us on prime blackfish habitat - we're talking gnarly wrecks, boulder fields, and reef edges where the big boys like to hang. The 25' Bluefin is a fisherman's dream, with plenty of deck space for six anglers to work their magic. Don't sweat the gear - we've got top-notch rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need to put the hurting on some hefty tautog. And hey, when nature calls, there's a clean head onboard so you can stay comfortable all day long.

Tog Tactics and Terrain

Blackfishing isn't for the faint of heart - these bruisers fight dirty and they fight hard. We'll be dropping baits right into their living room, feeling for that telltale tap-tap before setting the hook with everything we've got. The name of the game is precision - you've got to get your offering right in front of their noses and be ready to react fast. Our expert First Mate will be on hand to show you the ropes, rigging up perfect crab baits and helping you dial in your technique. We'll be using a mix of green crabs and Asian crabs, sometimes even white leggers if we can get our hands on 'em. It's all about matching the hatch and giving these fish what they want.

Top Catches This Season

Fall is prime time for trophy blackfish, and we've been putting clients on some absolute tanks. These aren't your average tautog - we're talking broad-shouldered brutes that'll test your drag and your biceps. The cooler water temps have these fish feeding aggressively, packing on weight for the winter ahead. It's not uncommon to boat fish in the 5-8 pound range, with real monsters pushing double digits always a possibility. Just last week, we had a guest land a 12-pounder that had the whole boat hollering. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or land that once-in-a-lifetime trophy, autumn is when it all comes together for Massachusetts blackfish.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Tautog, aka blackfish, are the stars of this show - and for good reason. These fish are like underwater bulldogs, all muscle and attitude. They grow big and they grow old, with some fish living upwards of 30 years. Tautog are structure junkies, using their powerful jaws and chisel-like teeth to crush crabs and shellfish right off the rocks. When you hook one, be ready for a battle. They'll dive for cover faster than you can blink, wrapping you around any piece of structure they can find. But that's what makes landing a big one so sweet - you've got to earn every inch of line.

In Massachusetts waters, blackfish really come into their own during the fall months. As water temps cool, they move in closer to shore and feed more aggressively. October and November are prime time, with fish congregating on nearshore reefs and wrecks. The biggest tautog tend to be loners, staking out prime real estate on isolated pieces of structure. That's where Capt. Joey's local knowledge really pays off - he knows those secret spots where the true giants live.

While tautog might not win any beauty contests with their thick lips and mottled coloration, they more than make up for it on the dinner table. Their white, flaky meat is prized by seafood lovers, often compared to lobster for its sweet flavor and firm texture. Just be careful when you're cleaning them - those buck teeth are no joke!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fall blackfishing in Massachusetts that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Maybe it's the thrill of that first big hit, feeling the rod load up as a bruiser tautog inhales your bait. Or perhaps it's the satisfaction of outsmarting these notoriously finicky fish, presenting your offering just right to entice a bite. For many, it's the camaraderie of a day on the water with good friends, swapping stories and sharing laughs as you battle fish after fish.

Capt. Joey's wealth of experience means you're not just going fishing - you're getting a masterclass in tog tactics. He'll put you on the fish, sure, but he'll also share tips and tricks that'll up your blackfish game for years to come. And let's not forget the scenery - there's nothing quite like the New England coastline decked out in fall colors, with the crisp autumn air filling your lungs as you reel in another keeper.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get in on this world-class blackfish action, don't wait to book your trip. Fall dates fill up fast, and for good reason - this is primetime for trophy tautog. Whether you're a seasoned tog fanatic or looking to cross blackfish off your bucket list, Capt. Joey and the Endeavor Sportfishing crew will put you on the fish of a lifetime. Just remember to bring your A-game and maybe some hand warmers - these late-season brawlers don't go down without a fight!

So what are you waiting for? Grab your buddies, clear your calendar, and get ready for some of the best blackfishing Massachusetts has to offer. Trust me, once you feel that first bulldogging run of a big tautog, you'll be hooked for life. Don't miss out on your chance to experience fall blackfishing at its finest - book your trip with Endeavor Sportfishing today and get ready to make some serious angling memories.

Learn more about the animal

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

Captain Joey's 25' Bluefin center console is your ticket to prime fall Blackfish action in Massachusetts waters. This roomy boat comfortably seats up to six anglers for a full 8-hour day chasing hefty Tautog on their favorite cool-season structures. You'll be fishing with top-notch gear and have the option of live bait to entice those big biters. The boat's onboard toilet means you can stay out all day without worry. Plus, a skilled First Mate is on hand to help with everything from rigging to landing your catch. This October-November trip targets the peak Blackfish season when they're feeding aggressively, promising steady action and the chance at some real trophy fish. Remember to bring a little extra to tip your hardworking First Mate at the end of a successful day on the water.

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