Also known as
- Blackfish US
- Tog US
- White Chin US
Identification
A deep-bodied US Northeast wreck-and-reef wrasse with a heavily compressed muscular profile delivering stubborn bottom-hugging power. Slow-growing and long-lived.
- Dark olive to nearly black body with mottled patterning
- Mature males develop a pale lower jaw — diagnostic in spawning season
- Blunt rounded snout with thick rubbery lips and high-set eyes
- Long single dorsal fin with stout spines
- Powerful crushing teeth in the throat for shellfish prey
Where it holds
- Rocky Shores
- Inshore
Behaviour
A sedentary structure-bound bottom-feeder holding tight to rocky reefs, wrecks, jetties, mussel beds, and boulder fields with extreme site fidelity — rarely moving more than a few hundred metres in a season. Forages by day on hard-shelled invertebrates using powerful crushing jaws; wedges into crevices at night. Most active in 12-20°C (54-68°F) water; seasonally shifts shallow (2-15m) in spring and fall, deeper (15-35m) in winter.
Diet: Green Crabs, Fiddler Crabs, Asian Shore Crabs, Mussels, Barnacles, Clams
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Bottom Fishing
The dominant US Northeast and Mid-Atlantic approach — anchor tight to rocky reef, jetty, or wreck and present a green crab, fiddler crab, Asian shore crab, or whole clam directly on the bottom on a fixed snafu rig or sliding-sinker rig with 2/0-4/0 octopus hook and 30-50lb fluorocarbon leader. Use minimal lead to keep feel for the subtle pickup. Strike instantly on the take and apply heavy pressure to lift the fish away from rocks before it can wedge into cover.
Jigging
An emerging Mid-Atlantic charter approach — drop a 30-90g flutter jig or rubber-skirted jig (often tipped with a crab piece for scent) tight to wreck or boulder structure and work it with sharp short hops just off the bottom. Less productive than crab on a snafu rig but covers more water and finds aggressive fish. PE2-3 jigging tackle, 30lb fluorocarbon leader.
Spear Fishing
Inshore Spearfishing
A productive boat-based approach over wrecks, rocky reefs, and artificial structure in 5-35m — anchor over known structure and free-dive on the marks. The fish are extremely site-attached and tolerant of slow approach. Aim for the head; the heavy compressed body is otherwise hard to land cleanly. 100-120cm gun with double bands and 7.0mm shaft.
