Tautog

Looking to tangle with some Tautog around Cambridge, Maryland? The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries offer prime habitat for these hard-fighting fish. Focus your efforts around structure like bridge pilings, rock piles, and oyster beds, especially where there's a good current. Tautog, also known as Blackfish, are bottom dwellers and prefer cooler water, so the best time to target them is during the spring and fall. Water temperatures dictate their activity, so pay attention to that. A key to success is using fresh bait like green crabs or fiddler crabs presented on a jig or bottom rig. Popular access points include the Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park, offering both shoreline and pier fishing opportunities. Be mindful of the strong currents in the Choptank River and adjust your weight accordingly to keep your bait in the strike zone. The Tautog population here is robust, with many fish reaching impressive sizes.