Full Day Rhode Island Blackfish and Tautog Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour charter targeting blackfish and tautog offshore Rhode IslandCaptain Taylor Brown guides up to six guests aboard 32foot RegulatorAll equipment, bait, and professional instruction included in trip rate
Captain Taylor Brown's full-day bottom fishing charter is hands down the best way to target Rhode Island's legendary blackfish and tautog during peak fall season. This top-rated 8-hour adventure runs from October through November when these hard-fighting bottom dwellers are most active and feeding heavily before winter. You'll fish aboard a pristine 32' Regulator center console that cuts through Rhode Island's coastal waters like butter, powered by reliable twin Yamaha engines that get you to the productive Atlantic grounds fast and safe.
Your day starts early as Captain Taylor fires up the twin Yamahas and heads to his proven blackfish hotspots along Rhode Island's structured bottom. The 32' Regulator is built for serious bottom fishing – stable enough to keep you comfortable during long fights with stubborn tautog, yet nimble enough to work multiple spots throughout the day. With space for up to six anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your rigs without tangling lines. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and adjusts tactics based on tide, weather, and where the fish are biting that particular day. Every piece of gear is tournament-grade, from the rods and reels down to the terminal tackle, so you're fishing with the same setup the pros use. Fresh crabs and other premium baits are included – no need to hit the bait shop at dawn or worry about keeping your offerings lively.
Blackfish and tautog fishing is all about precision and patience. Captain Taylor sets you up with specialized bottom rigs designed to present baits naturally near the rocky structure and wrecks these fish call home. You'll learn to feel the difference between a blackfish picking at your crab versus getting hung up on the bottom – a skill that separates successful tautog anglers from those who go home empty-handed. The technique involves dropping your rig straight down to the bottom, then lifting it just enough to keep your bait in the strike zone without getting snagged. These fish have incredibly strong jaws and love to duck back into their rocky hideouts the second they feel pressure, so setting the hook quickly and applying steady pressure is crucial. The captain positions the boat perfectly over productive structure, using his GPS and fish finder to keep you in the sweet spot where these bottom dwellers congregate.
Tautog, also called blackfish, are Rhode Island's premier fall bottom species and arguably the tastiest fish swimming in local waters. These prehistoric-looking fighters average 3-8 pounds but can push well into double digits, with trophy fish over 15 pounds caught regularly in Rhode Island waters. October and November represent peak season when tautog move into shallower water to feed aggressively before winter. They're incredibly structure-oriented, hanging tight to rocky reefs, wrecks, and boulder fields where they hunt crabs, mussels, and other shellfish. What makes tautog so exciting to target is their incredible strength – pound for pound, they're among the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter. Their powerful jaws can crush shellfish with ease, so when you hook one, expect a bulldogging fight straight down toward the rocks. The meat is firm, white, and delicious, earning tautog the nickname "poor man's lobster" among Rhode Island anglers.
Black sea bass round out your target species and provide steady action throughout the day. These aggressive bottom feeders are opportunistic predators that readily attack both bait and small jigs. While smaller on average than tautog, sea bass make up for size with attitude – they hit hard and fight with surprising strength for their size. Rhode Island's fall sea bass run coincides perfectly with tautog season, and you'll often find both species feeding in the same areas. Sea bass are excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic New England fish fry. The daily bag limits are generous, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to take home a mixed cooler of both species.
At $1,400 for up to six anglers, this world-class bottom fishing experience delivers incredible value when you split the cost among your fishing buddies. That rate includes everything you need for a successful day – professional guidance, high-end tackle, premium baits, and eight full hours on some of Rhode Island's most productive tautog grounds. Captain Taylor's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a customer favorite among serious bottom fishermen. The fall blackfish bite is short but intense, typically running from early October through late November depending on water temperatures. A $300 deposit secures your date, and the captain's weather policy protects your investment – if he calls the trip due to conditions, you get your deposit back. Don't wait too long to book your spot, as prime October and November dates fill up fast with repeat customers who know this is the best tautog fishing Rhode Island has to offer.
Captain Taylor Brown's 32' Regulator center console is built for serious blackfish and tautog action off Rhode Island's coast. This 2023 beauty runs on twin Yamaha engines that'll cruise you to the productive Atlantic grounds at 25-30 knots, giving you more time with lines in the water. The spacious deck layout gives all six anglers room to work without bumping elbows while bottom fishing. What really sets this boat apart is how it handles Rhode Island's choppy fall conditions - you'll stay dry and comfortable even when the seas pick up. The center console design means easy movement around the boat when fighting fish, plus plenty of storage for all the gear and crab bait you'll need for a full day targeting these stubborn bottom dwellers. Perfect setup for both beginners learning the ropes and experienced anglers looking to load the cooler.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid, chunky fish that typically run 1-4 pounds, though we hook some nice 6-8 pounders on deeper wrecks and rocky bottom. They're part of the grouper family with a distinctive spiny dorsal fin marked by white spots. During fall, they gather around structure before heading offshore for winter, making October and November prime time. These fish put up a strong initial fight and are some of the best eating you'll find. We target them on wrecks, rocky outcrops, and around jetties in 40-120 feet of water. Pro tip: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and keep your bait moving slightly off bottom. They'll often hit on the drop, so stay ready when you're sending down fresh bait.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, tautog are chunky, thick-bodied fish with mottled brown and green coloring that live around rocky structure and wrecks. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we see some pushing 8-10 pounds on the offshore grounds. They've got powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, which makes them tough fighters once hooked. Fall is prime time here in Rhode Island - October and November when they're feeding heavy before winter. These fish hug tight to structure, so we fish right in the rocks with heavy tackle. Green crabs work best, but here's the key: crush up some crab shells and drop the pieces around your spot first. Creates a feeding zone that pulls them right to your bait. Great table fare too.
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