Tautog

Newport News offers some fantastic tautog fishing, particularly in the cooler months. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a prime location, offering structure that these bottom-dwelling fish love. Tautog, also known as blackfish, are structure-oriented, so focus your efforts around pilings, rock piles, and wrecks. Spring and fall are the peak seasons as water temperatures moderate. Look for areas with good tidal flow, as this brings in the crustaceans and shellfish that tautog feed on. A key to success here is using fresh bait like green crabs or fiddler crabs. Be prepared to adjust your presentation based on the current; a heavier sinker may be necessary to hold bottom. The James River also holds tautog, especially near submerged structures and bridge supports. Remember that tautog fishing requires patience and persistence, but the reward of a hard-fighting fish is well worth the effort.