Fish Id: A Guide To East Coast Fishes

TAUTOG/Blackfish Tautoga onitis.

There is some confusion between this fish and the Black Sea Bass which is also known as blackfish in many areas. Physically, they are very different. The Tautog ranges in size from 1lb up to a record 25. Dark olive to dark gray in color, female and young have patchy coloration. Snout is short and blunt. Teeth are somewhat large and more pronounced in the front. Strong jaw. The caudal, or tail fin, is much more rounded than the Sea bass, without the distinctive trailing spine on the top of the tail. The tautog prefers waters up to 60 feet deep, around reefs, wrecks, and other sheltered areas.
Tautog bait.

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