Spring Porgies/Tautog Combo in Buzzards Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Scup in productive Buzzards Bay watersTransition to premium Tautog spawning zonesAll bait and tackle included for convenience
Here's your chance to target two of New England's most sought-after bottom fish on one action-packed trip. Captain Endeavor knows exactly where the scup are schooling up and where those crafty tautog are holding tight to structure. You'll get the best of both worlds - fast action on the porgy grounds followed by tactical fishing for blackfish in their prime spawning areas. With all bait and tackle provided, you just need to show up ready to bend some rods and fill the cooler.
This trip is designed to maximize your time on the fish by hitting two distinct fisheries in one outing. We'll start the morning on productive scup grounds where these aggressive feeders are stacked up thick. The action here is typically fast and furious - perfect for warming up your arms and getting into the fishing groove. Once we've had our fill of porgies, we'll make the move to carefully selected tautog spawning zones where structure holds these prized bottom dwellers. The transition gives you variety and keeps things interesting throughout the day. Buzzards Bay's diverse bottom structure and excellent water quality make it a top-rated destination for both species, and spring timing puts you right in the sweet spot when these fish are most active and hungry.
We'll be fishing traditional bottom rigs perfectly suited for each target species. For scup, expect to use lighter tackle with simple high-low rigs that let you feel every bite and fight. These setups work great in the 20-40 foot depths where porgies typically feed. When we transition to tautog fishing, we'll switch to heavier sinkers and stout hooks to handle these bulldogs around rocky structure and wrecks. All terminal tackle, weights, and fresh bait are included - we'll have green crabs, clams, and squid depending on what's working best. The key to success is keeping your bait on the bottom and staying alert for subtle bites, especially when targeting blackfish. Don't worry if you're new to bottom fishing - the captain will get you rigged up properly and coach you through reading the bites.
Buzzards Bay has been producing some outstanding scup fishing this spring, with plenty of keeper-sized fish in the 12-14 inch range hitting the decks. The tautog bite has been equally impressive, especially around the prime spawning structures where we'll be fishing. Anglers have been connecting with chunky blackfish in the 3-6 pound class, with occasional doormat fish pushing into trophy territory. The beauty of this combo trip is the consistent action - even when one bite slows down, we're positioned to capitalize on the other species. Recent trips have seen coolers filled with quality eating fish, and the spring spawn timing means these fish are feeding aggressively to build up energy reserves.
Tautog are the crown jewel of New England bottom fishing, and spring offers some of the year's best opportunities to connect with these hard-fighting fish. Also known as blackfish, tautog are notorious for their incredible strength and ability to wrap you up in structure if you're not ready. They prefer rocky bottom, wrecks, and boulder fields where they feed on crabs, mussels, and other shellfish. Spring timing coincides with their spawning period when they move into shallower water and feed more aggressively. What makes them so special is their bulldogging fight - they'll use every ounce of strength to get back to their rocky homes. Plus, they're absolutely delicious table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for chowder or simply baked with butter and herbs.
Scup, commonly called porgies, are the perfect complement to tautog fishing and provide fast-paced action that keeps everyone engaged. These silver-sided fighters are incredibly abundant in Buzzards Bay during spring and early summer, often schooling in massive numbers over sandy and mixed bottom areas. What anglers love about scup is their willingness to bite and their surprising fight for their size - a good porgy will give you a legitimate battle on appropriate tackle. They're also fantastic eating fish with sweet, flaky meat that's excellent fried, baked, or grilled whole. Scup are great for building confidence, especially for newer anglers, since they bite readily and help you dial in your bottom fishing techniques before transitioning to the more finicky tautog.
This spring combo trip delivers exactly what serious bottom fishermen are looking for - variety, action, and quality fish for the table. With single-angler capacity, you'll get personalized attention and coaching to make sure you're maximizing every opportunity. Captain Endeavor's local knowledge of Buzzards Bay's best scup and tautog spots gives you a real advantage over fishing from shore or trying to figure it out on your own. The inclusive tackle and bait package means you're getting professional-grade gear without the hassle of rigging up or sourcing fresh bait. Don't wait too long to secure your date - spring tautog and porgy fishing is a customer favorite, and prime dates fill up fast once word gets out about the quality of fishing we're seeing this season.
Capt. Joey's 25' Bluefin center console is your ticket to productive spring fishing in Buzzards Bay's prime waters. This stable, comfortable boat handles the inshore chop with ease while you target hungry porgies and stubborn tautog around their spawning grounds. The spacious layout gives you plenty of room to work your lines, and the onboard fish finder helps locate schools holding in the bay's productive structure. Quality rods and reels are ready to go, plus all the tackle and bait you'll need for both species. The boat's equipped with GPS and radar for safe navigation, VHF radio for communication, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. With an onboard head, it's perfect for family trips targeting these tasty bottom dwellers.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies, are the perfect starter fish but don't let that fool you - they're great eating and fun on light tackle. These silver, deep-bodied fish typically run 8-14 inches and show up in huge numbers from May through October in our warmer waters. They're bottom feeders that love sandy areas near structure, hunting for worms, clams, and small crabs. What guests love is the steady action - when you find them, you'll usually fill the cooler fast. They're also fantastic bait for bigger stripers. The key here is staying mobile. If you're not getting bites within 15 minutes, move to another spot. Use small hooks with squid or clam, and don't be afraid to downsize your tackle for more sport.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, tautog are chunky fighters with thick lips and powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish. These guys typically run 1-3 pounds around here, but can reach over 20 pounds. They love rocky structure - jetties, boulders, and wrecks where they hunt crabs and mussels. Spring through early fall is prime time, especially during their spawn from late April to August when they get aggressive and territorial. What makes them fun is the fight - they'll use every rock and crevice to try breaking your line. Plus they're excellent table fare. Here's a local trick: use green crabs for bait, but crush up some crab shells and let the scent drift around your spot. Fresh bait every 5 minutes is key since they're picky eaters.
Cape Cod