Tautog are Tempting Bay Anglers

One of the tell-tale signs that the fall fishery is in full swing is the jump start of the popular structure-oriented fish, tautog. These little guys are not pretty to look at, but they put up a hefty battle and provide a treat at the dinner table.

Over the last few weeks, the tautog bite has really taken off!  You can fish for tautog on any structure, such as around the bases of bridge pilings, near the artificial islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and Bay and inshore wrecks. Tog eat crustaceans, so blue crabs cut into quarters, fiddler crabs, and clams make great bait. A very sharp 4/0 to 6/0 bait hook does the trick when looped onto a dropper-loop tied a little more than mid-way down a 12 to 14-inch leader of 40 to 50 pound monofilament.  Loop on a 6 to 12-ounce sinker at the bottom of the rig, and you’re in business. I prefer a stout rod, with a conventional reel spooled with 30 to 50-pound braided line.

Anchor over your structure of choice, and drop your baited rig to the bottom. Move the bait every so often, until you feel a bite or a heavy feeling when you lift the line, then set the hook. It will take some practice, but the fish are biting well so now is a good time.

You can keep 4 fish per person over 14-inches. A citation from the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament is earned by releasing fish measuring 23-inches or larger. A weight citation is awarded for catches weighing over 9-pounds. For more information on Virginia State citations go to www.mrc.state.va.us/vswft/index.shtm.

The largest tautog ever caught is an IGFA all tackle world record weighing 25-pounds, and the Virginia state record is 24-pounds.

A local couple, Beth and Kevin Synowiec, recently took their young daughter who was recovering from the flu fishing for tautog. They caught several nice tautog, including two state citations. Their daughter, Katie had the top fish of the day, weighing in at a respectable 11-pounds! Now, that’s a cure!

Get out on the water, and enjoy the outdoors!

Katie and Dad, Kevin show off Big Tautog they caught in the Bay

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