First tautog trip in my PA

Got my PA out for its first trip for tautog (blackfish). For those of you not in the northeast, tautog is a large wrasse, growing to over 15lbs., but averaging 2-5lbs.. They love rocks and wrecks. A very wily fish, they can be a challenge to find and catch. When hooked, the larger ones will take you into a snag before you know what is happening.
These were caught on Oct. 2, on a tiny wreck I was lucky enough to locate a few years ago. It was a hot bite. Got two dozen in 2hrs., up to over 4lbs., on live crab bait. Kayaks are seldom used for blackfish, but are great craft for targeting these fish. Anchoring over such a small piece of structure would have been a problem in a "real" boat.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Those are great eating fish!
Were you fishing at the Jersey shore?
Where did you launch from?
Thanks

Bruce

Got those blackfish on the North shore of Long Island. Huntington area. Lots of rocky areas full of tautogs. Launched from a local ramp. The Town of Huntington has a number of beaches and ramps. They are off limits to non-residents during the summer, but are not patrolled during the off season.
Yes, they do taste good. Going to make some blackfish soup!