%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F56645%2Fimages%2F1763176666307chatgptimagenov15202511_17_20am.png&w=1200&q=100)
Top-Rated MA Fall Blackfish Trip | Endeavor
- Published Date: November 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Cape Cod
- Updated Date: December 14, 2025
Summary
%2F%2Fusers%2F1fd3dedb-e428-45d6-9790-15fc7ad9afdb%2Fratecard%2Fimg_7813-mj2wtxix.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Tautog on the Line
Fall Blackfish Bonanza: MA's Hidden Hotspot
Get ready to tangle with some of the toughest-fighting fish in Massachusetts waters. This fall Blackfish trip with Endeavor Sportfishing puts you right in the thick of the action when Tautog are at their peak. Capt. Joey knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the spots dialed in where big 'tog stack up as the water cools. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the Blackfish game, this trip delivers consistent action and some serious pull on light tackle.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll be fishing aboard a sleek 25' Bluefin center console that's built for comfort and fishability. With room for up to six anglers, there's plenty of space to work your rods and land those bruiser Blackfish. Capt. Joey provides all the gear you'll need - quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for Tautog fishing. Live bait is optional, but trust me, it's worth considering if you want to up your odds of hooking into a real monster. The trip runs for a solid 8 hours, giving you plenty of time to get dialed in on the bite and put some fish in the box.
Fall is prime time for Blackfish in Massachusetts, with the season kicking off in October and running through the end of November. This is when the big boys come out to play, gorging themselves before winter sets in. Water temps are perfect, and the fish are aggressive - it's not uncommon to have multiple hookups at once when you find a hot spot. Just be ready for some serious battles - these fish fight dirty and will do their best to wrap you around structure.
Blackfish Tactics 101
Tautog fishing isn't your typical drop-and-reel affair. These fish require finesse and a bit of skill to consistently catch. We'll be targeting structure - rocky bottoms, wrecks, and reefs where Blackfish love to hang out. The key is precise anchoring and staying right on top of the fish. Capt. Joey's got a sixth sense for finding the sweet spots.
We'll be using specialized rigs with heavy sinkers to get down to where the fish are holding. Green crabs are the bait of choice, and learning to detect the subtle bite of a Tautog takes a bit of practice. But don't worry - the captain and crew will show you the ropes. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, it's time to set the hook hard and start cranking. These fish pull like freight trains, so be ready for a workout!
Top Catches This Season
Fall Blackfish trips have been on fire lately. Anglers have been consistently pulling up fish in the 5-8 pound range, with some real tanks pushing double digits. One group last week landed a 12-pounder that had everyone on board hollering. The action can be fast and furious when you hit it right - it's not uncommon to limit out with quality fish. And let's not forget, Blackfish (Tautog) are some of the best eating fish in the ocean. White, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic New England fish fry.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Tautog, also known as Blackfish, are the stars of the show on this trip. These oddly beautiful fish are like the bulldogs of the sea - stocky, powerful, and tenacious fighters. They've got a face only a mother could love, with thick rubbery lips and a mouthful of teeth designed for crushing crabs and shellfish. Tautog are structure-oriented fish, hanging around rocky areas, wrecks, and reefs.
In the fall, Blackfish move into shallower waters to feed heavily before winter. This is when you can find the biggest fish of the year, with trophy specimens topping 20 pounds (though anything over 10 is considered a real trophy). They're slow-growing fish, so a big Tautog might be 20 or 30 years old. The current Massachusetts state record stands at a whopping 22 pounds, 9 ounces - who knows, maybe you'll be the one to break it!
What makes Tautog so exciting to catch is their raw power and clever tactics. They'll dive for cover the instant they feel the hook, using their broad tail to muscle their way into holes and crevices. It takes skill and a bit of luck to turn their heads and get them coming your way. The fight is often won or lost in those first few seconds after hookup.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
There's something addictive about Blackfish hunting. Maybe it's the challenge of outsmarting these wily fish, or the thrill of that first powerful run when you hook up. Or perhaps it's the satisfaction of bringing home some of the tastiest fillets you'll ever put on a plate. Whatever the reason, once you get a taste of fall Blackfishing in Massachusetts, you'll be itching to get back out there.
Capt. Joey's local knowledge and easygoing demeanor make for a great day on the water. He's always willing to share tips and techniques, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. And there's nothing quite like the camaraderie that develops over a day of fishing - swapping stories, sharing laughs, and cheering each other on as the fish come over the rail.
Time to Book Your Spot
If you're looking to get in on some world-class Blackfish action this fall, don't sleep on booking your trip. These prime dates fill up fast, especially as word gets out about how good the fishing has been. Remember, the season is relatively short - just October through November - so you've got a limited window to get out there and tangle with some trophy Tautog.
Endeavor Sportfishing's Massachusetts Fall Blackfish trip is the real deal. You've got a top-notch captain, a well-equipped boat, and some of the best Tautog grounds on the East Coast right at your fingertips. Whether you're a hardcore Blackfish addict or just looking to try something new, this trip delivers the goods. So grab your buddies, pack a cooler, and get ready for some serious rod-bending action. Just don't forget to bring your A-game - these fish won't go down without a fight!
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
%2F%2Fusers%2F1fd3dedb-e428-45d6-9790-15fc7ad9afdb%2Fvehicle_picture%2F463606713_122105972900559352_82552088399394509_n-mhzj1kyo.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 20
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
