Tautog

Want to tangle with some Tautog near Sodus Point? This area of Lake Ontario offers a unique, albeit challenging, tautog fishery. Focus your efforts around the rocky structures and submerged debris near the breakwaters and piers, as these provide ideal habitat. The best time to target tautog here is during the late fall, as they congregate in these areas before moving to deeper water for the winter. Water temperature is key; tautog become more active as the water cools. A helpful tip is to access these areas by boat from the Sodus Bay, using the public launch. Be prepared for some current, and adjust your weight accordingly to maintain bottom contact. Locally, tautog are known to be finicky, so using natural baits like crabs or clams is crucial. Also, keep in mind that the population can be sensitive, so practice catch and release to ensure a sustainable fishery.