The largest tautog ever recorded was a massive specimen weighing in at an impressive 28 pounds, 13 ounces. This incredible catch set a world record and was achieved by an angler named Ken Westerfeld from Queens, New York. The record-breaking tautog was landed in January of 2015 off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.
During the time of Westerfeld’s record catch, there seemed to be a surge in the number of monster tautog being caught up and down the east coast. Anglers were experiencing exceptional fishing opportunities and landing some truly remarkable fish. Westerfeld was fortunate enough to be part of this exciting period and made the most of his opportunity.
The tautog, also known as blackfish, are a species of fish that are highly sought after by anglers due to their strength and challenging nature. They are known for their impressive size and can grow to be quite large. However, catching a tautog of such monumental proportions as the one Westerfeld landed is an incredibly rare feat.
Westerfeld’s record catch is a testament to his skill, determination, and a bit of luck. It takes a combination of knowledge, experience, and patience to successfully target and hook such a massive tautog. The angler must have a deep understanding of the fish’s behavior, habitat, and feeding patterns to increase their chances of success.
Tautog are typically found along the rocky bottoms of the Atlantic coast, from Maine to North Carolina. They are known for their preference for structure, such as rock piles, wrecks, and jetties. These areas provide the perfect hiding spots and abundance of food for tautog to thrive.
When targeting tautog, anglers often use specialized techniques and gear. Heavy tackle, including stout rods and strong lines, are necessary to handle the powerful fighting abilities of these fish. Additionally, tautog have a reputation for being incredibly wary and selective feeders, making them a challenging species to catch.
To entice tautog, anglers use a variety of baits, including crabs, clams, and shrimp. These baits are typically presented on a bottom rig, allowing them to be fished near the structure where tautog congregate. The angler must have keen observation skills to detect the subtle bites and strikes of the fish, as tautog are known for their cautious and delicate feeding habits.
While the world record tautog caught by Ken Westerfeld in 2015 remains unbeaten to this day, there are still plenty of opportunities for anglers to target and catch impressive tautog. The thrill of battling these powerful fish and the satisfaction of landing a trophy-sized specimen continue to attract anglers from all over the world to pursue this challenging species.
The largest tautog ever recorded weighed a staggering 28 pounds, 13 ounces, and was caught by Ken Westerfeld off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland in January of 2015. This remarkable catch remains a world record and stands as a testament to the incredible size and strength that tautog can reach.