When the weather gets chillier, die-hard anglers are rewarded with great catches of one of New Jersey’s finest marine species. Blackfish, also known as tautog (or simply tog) are fine table fare and one of the most puzzling and rewarding bottom fish to haul over the rail – and a party boat is often your best bet to get some meat in the bucket.The late arrival of the weaks has been a trend tracked by Capt. Jack Shea, skipper of the charter boat Rambunctious out of Barnegat, for a few years now.

But unlike other bottom species such as sea bass and porgies, blackfish can be a stubborn adversary. It takes some experience to become adept at feeling a blackfish’s subtle experimentation with your bait offering, and some more practice setting the hook at exactly the right moment to ensure that you’ve nabbed your prey.

Of course, without the guidance of an experienced captain, your day of blackfishing could be over before it starts. As Capt. Mike McConlogue of The Islander told us recently, however, becoming tuned in to the intricacies of the fishery is key to putting fares on the meat.

“This is the only fishery where you really have to learn it and hone your skills,” said McConlogue, whose Islander party boat sails from Waretown and breaks Barnegat Inlet each weekend in search of blackfish.

But preparation for a day of blackfishing begins long before one steps on board a party boat such as The Islander.

“First and foremost, always dress for the weather,” warned McConlogue. ”As far as being prepared weather-wise, you gotta have slickers, a rain coat and insulated fishing boots. If you get those insulated boots, you’re in heaven. As cold and crappy as it gets, if you keep yourself comfortable, it’s a beautiful day.”
Also, for what it’s worth, “pick a boat that’s got kick-ass heat,” he suggested.

Blackfishing is far from impossible, and putting in a solid day at the rail of a party boat can hook just about anyone on this surefire method of beating the winter doldrums. But it takes some getting used to. You’ll need the correct equipment and the correct technique to put yourself in the best position to catch fish. Notoriously, blackfish are the type of species where one angler will be significantly outfishing his fellow angler only a few feet down the rail. This fishery is all about sensitivity and feeling the subtle tug of the fish before setting the hook at the precise moment.

“I prefer a long, stiff pole with braided line so you can feel the bites,” said McConlogue. “The longer the rod, the better, because you’ve got to keep your bait still. The rod tip has got to stay in the same spot, because if you move it around and let it drop, you’re not going to get any bites.”

On McConlogue’s boat, like most party boats, appropriate rods are rented to customers. On a handful of boats (The Islander included) some of the reels are respooled with braided line for the fall season, but don’t count on such an outfit always being available.

Though it’s ultimately in God’s hands, the weather also plays a part in whether a day of blackfishing will be a successful outing or a slow pick of fish.

“A lot of people could get turned off because blackfish are a lot like flounder – they like a nice, sunny day,” explained McConlogue. “You can sit there all day long. Some days I drop my camera down and they’re all there and just not biting. The next day, they’re committing suicide, guys are catching 40-something fish in a few hours.”

For this reason, experienced captains often look at weather forecasts, wind outlooks as well as predicted tidal currents when determining which wrecks to target on a specific day.

“At first light, some boats will sit on a wreck and not get a bite and leave,” said McConlogue. “But in a few hours, once the sun comes up, the bite can turn on and be on fire. If I’m getting the marks and getting the fish on there, I’ll sometimes test-drop before we even anchor. Because if you do, that makes up our minds right there.”
Additionally, the big fish often reward those who wait.

“Realistically, if you’ve got big blackfish on a wreck, they often won’t bite until the smaller fish are gone,” said McConlogue. “Guys will peck away, and after we sit there for a little while, the big ones will start biting.”

Party boats will normally provide anglers with basic rigs in additional to rod rentals, and most blackfish anglers agree that the more basic rigs are usually the ones that work best. Additionally, New York (and some North Jersey) party boats will often offer rigs significantly different than those on most New Jersey party boats, so if you’re travelling north, expect to see some differences in terms of which techniques are employed to elicit strikes on certain rigs. The type of rig used is the preference of the individual angler, but simple, single-hook rigs with an appropriate sinker is the most commonly-used setup and the one which most local die-hards prefer.

As for bait, green crabs are the universal ticket for catching blackfish. While some anglers prefer to hook the crabs whole, the vast majority remove the legs and claws, then cut the small crabs in half with a scissor before sending them down to the bottom. Additionally, boats will occasionally offer rock crabs, known as “whiteleggers” for sale to patrons. Some prefer the whiteleggers and see them as a premium bait, while many prefer the tried-and-true green crabs.

Blackfishing is all about experimentation and the honing of one’s skills, and a party boat is hands-down the best place to accomplish this during the winter months. Just remember to dress warmly – as much fun as you’ll be having fishing all day long, it will be just a matter of time before you’ll realize the “dead of winter” is every bit alive.