Overview
Also known as 'Blackfish', one of the most sought-after fish in the NE US. Powerful fighter living among rocks and structures.
Identification
Strong canine teethLong continuous dorsal finTough, ctenoid scalesLarge, powerful mouthStocky headWhite-colored bellyRounded caudal fin
- Body
- Robust body and laterally compressed.
- Colouration
- Color varies from brownish to black, with lighter spots.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very noticeable, except for the slightly larger size of males.
- Growth
- Medium, with faster growth in the early years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Labridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Labrus bergyltaCtenolabrus rupestrisSymphodus tincaCheilinus undulatusBodianus pulchellus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Distributed along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Canada to the Carolinas.
- Micro-habitat
- Often seeks shelter in rocky crevices and submerged structures during the day.
Often groups in areas with abundant rocky cover, providing protection from predators.
Presence by sea area
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Na Costa Est CentroPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins
- Secondary prey
- annelids, gastropods, tunicates
- Occasional prey
- algae, small fish
- Feeding behaviour
- Diurnal forager, uses strong teeth to crush prey shells.
- Natural predators
- sharks, tunas, large predatory fish
Varied diet, dependent on the availability of benthic prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Non-migratory, with small seasonal movements in search of food.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In winter, moves to deeper and warmer waters to avoid the cold.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles find refuge in shallower waters among rocks and seaweed.
- Adults
- Adults gather in small groups, especially during spawning season.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Small, pelagic and transparent eggs.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae that float before settling on the bottom.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Tautog
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
reefssubmerged wrecksrocky jettiesartificial barriers
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
bottom fishing rodscontinuous release fishinglight trollinghandlines
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBologneseBolognese LeggeraLight Rock FishingPesca A Fondo LeggeraPesca A GalleggianteRock FishingRock Fishing MicroRock Fishing Notturno
Recommended baits
crabsclamsshrimpmollusks
Baits by pressure
Low
Crab imitazione (gomma)
Medium
Aragosta a pezziGambero vivoGranchio morto / pezziGranchio violinistaGranchio vivoGambero morto / GamberoStriscia di calamaro
High
CozzaArenicola
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Strong and tenacious fighter, often tries to seek refuge among rocks.
- Handling
- Handle with care to avoid cuts from sharp teeth.
- Release
- Gently release back into the water, avoiding excessive stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The tautog is a popular sport fishing species along the East Coast of the US, where specimens over 22 lbs are considered true trophies. According to IGFA, the world record for tautog is 25 lbs, caught in 1998 off Ocean City, Maryland.
- In the kitchen
- Great for soups and baked dishes, considered a delicacy in the local cuisines of the Northeast US.
- Cultural notes
- In popular culture, it's valued both for sport fishing and its tasty meat.
- Historical notes
- Species of historical interest in artisanal and industrial fishing along the American Atlantic coasts.
