Tautog

  Not counting stripers, Tautog are the first fish of the year inshore saltwater anglers target. They are also one of the last fish targeted at the end of the year. They put a pretty good fight and are tasty table fare.

  Tautog are also known as "tog", "black fish", and "chubs". Togs range live on the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. Tog spawn from may to August.

  Most togs are found in less than 50 feet but may be deeper. Togs love cover. Wrecks, bridge pilings, rock piles, and reefs are all excellent places to search for tog.

  Togs eat mussels,clams,crabs, and shrip. I prefer to use blue crab as bait. Try using a heavy duty pair of sissors to cut your crab into quarters. Remove the to shell before using the sissors to quarter the crab. I use a 2/0 true turn hook and I prefer the backfin quarter for bait.

  I use a basic 1 hook bottom rig. The hook hangs at the same level as my sinker. I like to start out with an 8 ounce sinker but I will go heaver if I can't hold the bottom. Tip: Try to keep your line straight under the boat. You will get hung up a lot less this way.

  A spinning rod set up is fine for togging but I prefer a bait caster set up. Also, the rod should have some back bone to it but not too heave because you need to hold the rod in your hand. When a tog hits your bait, get ready to set the hook as soon as it hit the second time. Once the tog is hooked keep constant pressure on it but don't horse it. I've lost a few horsing them.

  Hopefully these few tips will put more togs in the boat for you. If you have trouble finding 2/0 truturn hooks, visit Basspro.com . I usually take a trip out to shop at the store but I will shop on line as well.

  Please visit our fishing forum. It's new and we need your help getting it started. Feel free to discuss any topic that is of intrest to fishermen in the tidewater area. Please send any comments/suggestions to Roc@rockandjohnsfishing.com