Anglers in the northeast rave about boat fishing for blackfish. Also known as tautogs, this fish is known for putting up quite a fight and straining fishing rods so they are nearly bent in half from pulling. These fish have one goal and that is to pull your line into the rocks in the hopes of freeing themselves from captivity. For those without a boat, there is no need for you to miss out on the fun and adventure of these feisty fish. Though not often talked about, there are opportunities for shore fishing for blackfish and for those who either have no access to a boat or simply prefer shore bound fishing.brbr For those in the northeast who have access to shoreline waters that reach 50-65 degrees, you are in luck. If these waters contain jetties and rock piles, you will likely be able to find tautogs in these areas. Understanding the feeding and migration habits of the tautog can help you identify the right areas. When the waters start warming up in the spring, itrsquo;s not unusual to find tautogs in the shallow waters around rock piles looking for places to feed. This is the area that they prefer for not just eating but for spawning. Once the blackfish spawns, they will begin to move out of these more shallow areas and move out to colder, deeper waters.brbr Once fall arrives, the blackfish tend to move back towards the shore in an attempt to make sure that they are able to fatten up and prepare for the winter months that lie ahead. This is when you can find them in shallow rock piles ndash; 6 feet in some instances. This is where they are scrounging for crabs, mussels and barnacles to fill up on. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in shore-fishing to have a chance to land a blackfish or two.brbr A good chart will help you locate the ideal spots for landing blackfish. If you find the right one, they will allow you to easily identify rock piles that are in the general area of beaches and jetties, which are good areas to start. If possible, the chart should also have depth contours which should help you identify the right areas. Rocky formations that extend into the water are also great places, and sometimes yoursquo;ll find them easier to spot under breaking waves as the tide changes. These areas can contain tautogs.brbr After yoursquo;ve identified the right fishing area, itrsquo;s time to verify Drugs Without Prescription that your gear is up for the task. Just remember, these fish are fighters every step of the way and their goal is to separate your line from your reel. You can get the upper hand easily by making sure that you have the right rod, reel and line. Keep in mind the shape of these fish ndash; they have a stout body and a tail that resembles a broom. They waste no time at all trying to break off your line by dragging it into the rocks. Not only will you need a stout rod, but you want to make sure that you have a good drag system that will stand up to the abuse this fish will put upon you. In the case of reels you may elect for either a spinning or conventional style, depending on which one you feel offers the most control. You need to be able to stop this quickly as these fish are going to hit fast and attempt to flee even faster. Most surf anglers generally prefer an 8 foot rod, but in the case of blackfish, you might be better off with a 10 or 11 foot rod as it will allow you more upward pulling power and far more leverage.brbr Line is a concern when blackfish are the game you are after. These fish will do their utmost to snap off your line at on every boulder that they encounter. While braided line is quickly becoming a favorite, because it does not stretch and because it is very sensitive to a bite, itrsquo;s problematic with tautogs. Braided line does not have the abrasion resistance that is available in monofilament and fluorocarbon line and therefore itrsquo;s likely to break if a blackfish drags it across the rocks. You can probably work around this by using a one and a half or two foot fluorocarbon or mono leader with a thirty to fifty pound braided line.brbr If you do elect to fish with a non braided line, your best option is probably a monofilament line in the 17-30 lb range. This will prevent the blackfish from snapping your line in the rocky holes that they will no doubt head for the minute they are on your hook.brbr The best bait rig for the blackfish could very well be the simple slider rig. Itrsquo;s easy to create with a 2-4 ounce slider sinker which you thread onto your line. The barrel should be rated for up to 50 lbs and you can add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader (1 frac12; – 2 feet) which has an octopus hook (2/0 size). This allows your sinker to stay along the bottom because there is little doubt that the blackfish is going to do his very best to take your bait and make a run for it. This type of rig will allow your line to pass through the sinker and the blackfish will not feel the resistance.brbr Bait isnrsquo;t that much of a challenge if you know the dietary habit of the tautog. Crabs, clams and sandworms are all part of their diets and so are mussels. You can toss your rig complete with any of these bait choices into rocky areas to lure blackfish. Just make sure that instead of using a sand spike that you are holding onto your rod ndash; remember, these fish are interested in not getting caught and if you donrsquo;t start reeling them in right away they are liable to take off immediately after stealing your bait. As many others have, northeast anglers will enjoy tackling these aggressive tautogs from onshore.brbrWhen you are getting prepared for a saltwater fishing adventure, having the proper equipment is essential. Some of the most popular products on the market include a href=http://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/van-staal-fishing-reels/ target=’_blank’van staal reel/a, a href=http://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/okuma-fishing-reels/ target=’_blank’okuma fishing reel/a, and a href=http://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/shimano-fishing-reels/shimano-spinning-reels/ target=’_blank’shimano saltwater spinning reels/a.