Massachusetts Fall Blackfish Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour fall Tautog fishing trip from October through NovemberSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboardTarget strong Blackfish gathering on coolseason structure
When October rolls around and the water starts to cool, serious anglers know it's time to target one of the toughest fighters in Massachusetts waters. This 8-hour fall blackfish trip with Endeavor Sportfishing puts you right where the action is, hunting down hefty tautog that stack up on structure during their prime feeding season. Running through the end of November, this top-rated fishing experience accommodates up to 4 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work and ensuring you get the personalized attention that makes all the difference when targeting these cunning bottom dwellers.
Your day starts early, heading out to proven tautog grounds where rocky bottom and structure hold these prized fish. The fall season transforms blackfish from scattered summer residents into aggressive feeders preparing for winter, making them both more concentrated and more willing to bite. You'll be fishing in depths ranging from 20 to 60 feet, working around boulders, wrecks, and rocky ledges where tautog feel most at home. The cooler water temperatures of fall trigger their feeding response, and experienced anglers know this is when you'll find the biggest fish of the year. Massachusetts waters offer some of the best blackfish action on the East Coast during this window, with fish often exceeding the 16-inch minimum size and providing that arm-burning fight tautog are famous for. The intimate 4-person capacity means you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with tangled lines from inexperienced anglers – just focused fishing with room to maneuver when that big fish decides to test your drag system.
Blackfish fishing is all about precision and feel, which is why this charter provides the right tackle for the job. You'll be using medium to heavy spinning or conventional gear spooled with braided line – the sensitivity of braid is crucial for detecting those subtle tautog bites that feel more like a gentle tap than a proper strike. The terminal tackle setup features high-low rigs with circle hooks, typically ranging from size 4 to 6 depending on bait size and fish activity. Green crabs are the gold standard bait for fall tautog, though Asian shore crabs and white leggers also produce when the fish are picky. The key technique involves dropping your rig to the bottom, then lifting it just a foot or two off the structure – tautog rarely chase baits far from cover. When you feel that telltale weight or sideways pull, it's game time. These fish have crushing jaws designed to crack shellfish, so a quick hookset and steady pressure are essential to avoid getting cut off on the rocks. The captain will position the boat to drift along productive structure, giving everyone a chance to work different areas and find where the fish are holding that particular day.
Tautog, locally known as blackfish, are one of Massachusetts' most challenging and rewarding inshore species to target. These stocky, powerful fish can live over 30 years and reach weights exceeding 10 pounds, though most catches range from 2 to 6 pounds. What makes them special isn't just their size – it's their intelligence and fighting ability. Tautog have learned behaviors that frustrate novice anglers: they'll pick up a bait, swim toward cover, and spit it out if they detect any resistance. Once hooked, they immediately dive for the nearest rock pile or wreck, using their broad tail and muscular body to generate surprising power for their size. Fall fishing targets them during their peak feeding period when water temperatures drop from summer highs into the 50s and 60s. This triggers an aggressive feeding response as they bulk up for winter, making them more likely to take baits and less likely to immediately retreat to deep cover. Massachusetts tautog are known for their quality, with the state's rocky coastline and abundant structure providing ideal habitat. The daily bag limit and size restrictions ensure sustainable fishing, while the challenging nature of consistently catching them keeps even experienced anglers coming back. When you finally land a quality blackfish after feeling those subtle bites and managing not to get broken off in the rocks, you understand why they've earned such a devoted following among Northeast anglers.
Fall blackfish season doesn't last forever, and the best fishing happens when conditions align with fish behavior during this narrow window. October and November offer your best shot at connecting with quality tautog before they move to deeper winter haunts where they become much harder to target. The small group size means spots fill up fast, especially on weekends when the weather cooperates. This world-class fishery produces memorable days for anglers willing to learn the nuances of blackfish fishing, and there's no better way to experience it than with a dedicated charter that knows where these fish live and how to catch them consistently. Whether you're a seasoned tautog hunter or ready to tackle one of inshore fishing's greatest challenges, this Massachusetts fall blackfish trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers talking all winter long. Don't wait until the season winds down – book your spot now and get ready to battle some of the Northeast's toughest fighting fish in their prime feeding season.
Capt. Joey's 25' Bluefin center console is your perfect platform for chasing Massachusetts fall blackfish. This well-built boat handles the choppy October and November waters with ease while you target tautog around rocky structure and wrecks. The spacious center console layout gives all four anglers plenty of room to work their rigs without tangling lines. Quality rods and reels come ready to go, along with all the tackle and bait you'll need to tempt those stubborn blackfish. The fish finder helps locate productive bottom structure where these fish love to hang out during the cooler months. An onboard head keeps everyone comfortable during those long 8-hour sessions, while the icebox holds your lunch and keeps any keeper tautog fresh. GPS and radar ensure safe navigation back to port even when those late fall weather conditions roll in unexpectedly.
Cape Cod