You open your front door and leave home in ski parka, skull cap, pack boots, long underwear, wool socks, gloves in pockets and walk down the driveway to your truck.

Your neighbor walks up.

“You’re going where?” he asks.

“The ocean,” you say.

“What?” he repeats.

“Blackfishing,” you answer.

Like that explains.

But if he doesn’t understand, why talk
about it?

Only an angler would get it.

Fishing for the tautog has got it all. Big whales to 18 pounds. Finicky feeders that are somewhat difficult to catch. Strong fighters. And fish that are delicious.   

Blackfishing is peaking on the party boats up and down the local coast.

The head boats will fish for them at the ocean wrecks until sometime in January. Eventually the water becomes too cold, and the tog stop biting while they hibernate.

But water temperatures should remain perfect the next weeks.

Here’s a rundown of New Jersey party boats that are currently blackfishing.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS

Atlantic Star
Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina
7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Daily
Capt. Tom Buban
732-291-5508
Visit Web Site

Capt. Tom Buban’s been a party boat captain a long time, since 1973, after he was discharged from the service. He first captained a couple of different party boats until he bought his own, the Atlantic Star, in 1987. Tog fishing became popular enough that he started running trips for them probably in the late ‘70s. Tom now targets blacks every fall and winter, running to the Scotland Grounds, Sandy Hook Reef, the Mud Buoy and sometimes 17 Fathoms and the Shrewsbury Rocks. Customer service is one of the important focuses on the boat, Tom says. He and the crew aim to make the trips as professional as possible. The boat's cleanliness is also emphasized. The experience makes the difference, Tom says.

BELMAR

Big Mohawk
Belmar Marine Basin
7 a.m.-3 p.m. Daily
Capt. Chris Hueth
732-974-9606
Visit Web Site

The Hueth name is well-known at this New Jersey port. Capt. Chris Hueth from the Big Mohawk has worked in the Belmar party boat fleet almost his entire professional life, since the age of 22, about 25 years. His brother Greg Hueth is a well-known local angler, including a surf angler. Both Chris and Greg are sometimes involved in fisheries conservation. Capt. Chris says many of his patrons are serious tog anglers, and the boat caters to customers looking for the big ones. The boat has developed a following, and hardcore blackfishers outnumber the tourists. The fact that many of the crew have been working for Chris more than 20 years is an indication of the operation’s professionalism and success. The rocky bottom off Elberon, Long Branch and Sea Girt are the boat’s tog-fishing grounds.  

BEACH HAVEN

Miss Beach Haven
On the bay at Center Street in Beach Haven
7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays
609-978-9951
Capt. Frank Camarda
Visit Web Site

The only party boat targeting tog from the southern end of Long Beach Island, the Miss Beach Haven has been running for seven years. Capt. Frank Camarda was a charter boat captain more than 20 years before purchasing the vessel. The Miss Beach Haven’s blackfishing trips target Garden State Reef South, Little Egg Reef and other wrecks and reefs within range of Little Egg Inlet.

MARGATE

Jessie O’
Andy’s Marina in Margate
8 a.m. Daily
6-Hour Trips Fridays-Mondays
8-Hour Trips Tuesdays-Thursdays
Capt. Jay Obermeyer Jr.
609-412-3635
Visit Web Site

Capt. Jay Obermeyer Jr.
is in his second year of owning the party boat Jessie O’. Previously he worked his way up the ranks as a deck hand and captain for years on head boats, commercial boats and charter boats. The Jessie O’s daily trips are targeting blackfish and/or striped bass, and call to confirm the schedule. Atlantic City Reef, Great Egg Reef, Ocean City Reef and the wrecks in between are the boat’s tog-fishing haunts. Jay says one of the crew’s goals is to guarantee a good time for all patrons, and he and his staff work hard to accomplish that. Take advantage of a special: Buy one trip now, and receive a second trip free in spring.

SEA ISLE CITY

Captain Robbins
Located on the west side of the Sea Isle Bridge
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Daily
Capt. Frank Weigel
Owner:
Capt. John Sullivan
Dock: 609-263-2020
Home: 609-263-3942
Visit Web Site

The Captain Robbins has been in operation since 1949, one of the longest-running party boats in the state. Capt. Frank Weigel has been sailing the vessel on tog trips the past 17 years. The boat’s trips also specialize in wreck fishing the entire year. Cape May Reef, Wildwood Reef and Ocean City Reef are the vessel’s stomping grounds for tog.