Tautog Fishing in New Jersey
When tautog are caught across New Jersey, season by season, from NOAA’s recreational catch survey (2024).
Tautog catch through the year
Recreational catch in New Jersey by two-month season. The peak window is highlighted.
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Seasonal catch, tides, and the day's conditions worth knowing for your spots, plus the occasional PATHR update. No spam.
Catching tautog in New Jersey
Tautog catches in New Jersey run hardest around Sep-Oct, with the strongest two-month windows in Sep-Oct and Nov-Dec. Anglers keep about 8% of what they catch and release the rest. All of this comes from NOAA’s recreational catch survey, so it maps the season rather than any single day.
To turn the season into a trip, line the peak window up with the daily bite. Check the New Jersey fishing times for the solunar windows, the tide charts for moving water, and the sunrise and sunset times for first and last light.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to catch tautog in New Jersey?+
Catches peak around Sep-Oct (September and October). The strongest two-month windows are Sep-Oct and Nov-Dec. This is based on NOAA's 2024 recreational catch survey, so it reflects the typical season rather than a live report.
Do anglers keep or release tautog in New Jersey?+
Across New Jersey, about 8% of the tautog caught are kept and 92% are released. That works out to roughly 564K kept and 6.9M released in 2024.
How many tautog are caught in New Jersey?+
NOAA's survey estimated about 7.5M tautog caught by recreational anglers in New Jersey in 2024, making it the #3 most-caught species in the state. Survey estimates, so read them as the shape of the season.
Where does this tautog data come from?+
NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), 2024 estimates. Courtesy: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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