Most blackfish anglers do not want a second hook. If you care to go that route, attach a second one with a 12-inch leader midway up the leader of the first using a dropper loop and lark's head. There are some quirks about blackfish that bear noting, if you intend to fish seriously for the tasty tautog. Scuba divers say they move in and out with the tides and will invariably seek the deepest holes or troughs in an area. This time of the year, at the beginning of the surf run, they are extremely sensitive to water temperature changes and will move or stop feeding, usually the former, with a sudden drop in water temperature.
Divers say they invariably retreat into deeper water.
Fishing is almost always good right after the water temperature starts up again after one of these temperature drops. This often occurs when the wind shifts from the southerly points of the compass to northeast, east or northwest. The underwater fishermen also point out that blackfish will approach a bait, almost studying it, nudging it and then grabbing it and running. In the natural state, the blackfish would snip mussels off a rock with its large front teeth, then pass it back to the crushers in the rear. In taking the angler's offering it does much the same thing.