Connor MacLeod of Portsmouth, RI – The Captain Who Took the Record, and Took It Back
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Records are often treated as moments of luck. In Rhode Island tautog fishing, Captain Connor MacLeod has proven they are the result of preparation, repetition, and deep local knowledge.
In 2021, MacLeod made statewide headlines when a fish caught aboard his Newport-based Tall Tailz Charters shattered a Rhode Island tautog record that had stood for nearly seven decades. When that record fell again in 2024, many assumed the story had ended.
On November 9, 2025, Tall Tailz Charters reclaimed the title – making Connor MacLeod the first skipper in Rhode Island history to break the state tautog record twice.
“This isn’t about chasing records,” MacLeod said. “It’s about doing things the right way, trip after trip. The results come when everything else is right.”
The first record: Breaking nearly 70 years of history
The first milestone came in 2021, when a 21.57-pound tautog measuring 33 inches was landed aboard Tall Tailz Charters. The angler was 17-year-old Paul Newman of New Jersey.
That fish broke the previous Rhode Island state record of 21.25 pounds – a mark that had stood for nearly 67 years.
“It was special for a lot of reasons,” MacLeod said. “A young angler, a historic record, and years of preparation coming together in one moment.”
But for MacLeod, the catch was never about headlines.
“You don’t stumble into fish like that,” he said. “They come from understanding the fishery and putting in the work season after season.”
Losing the title – and setting the stage for a return
In 2024, the 2021 record was surpassed by a 22.33-pound tautog. While the record moved on, MacLeod stayed focused on his process.
“Records come and go,” he said. “What matters is consistency.”
That consistency would soon rewrite the story.
The reclaim: A bigger fish, same charter, same captain
On November 9, 2025, Tall Tailz Charters reclaimed the Rhode Island state tautog record with a 23.94-pound fish, measuring 33.5 inches in length with a 24.5-inch girth.
The angler was Vlad Vaynshteyn of New Jersey – a regular client aboard MacLeod’s boat.
“That part matters,” MacLeod said. “Repeat clients mean repeat results. This wasn’t a fluke.”
Both the 2021 and 2025 record fish were caught using locally sourced white crab, also known as sand crab – a bait rarely available through local shops.
“During tog season, I trap my own crabs,” MacLeod explained. “If you want premium results, you need premium bait.”
Why it keeps happening on Tall Tailz Charters
MacLeod’s reputation isn’t built on a single fish. It’s built on volume, discipline, and endurance.
Each year, he typically runs:
15-20 tautog trips in the spring
Approximately 75 trips in the fall, weather permitting
Fall tog season is relentless. MacLeod often fishes 30-40 consecutive days before weather allows a break.
“Those rare off days aren’t rest days,” he said. “They’re maintenance days. Boats, gear, everything has to be perfect.”
That attention to detail has made Tall Tailz Charters a destination for serious anglers.
Newport: The Holy Grail – and the captain who rules it
Newport, Rhode Island is widely regarded as the Holy Grail of tautog fishing in the Northeast. Heavy structure, tidal flow, and pressure make it one of the most challenging fisheries in the region.
MacLeod thrives there.
“Fishing here exposes mistakes fast,” he said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, the fish will tell you.”
By reclaiming the state record in 2025, MacLeod cemented his standing as Rhode Island’s top tautog charter captain – not by chasing hype, but by executing at the highest level, year after year.
More than a record
For MacLeod, the significance of breaking the record twice goes beyond personal recognition.
“It shows what’s possible when preparation meets opportunity,” he said. “Anyone can have a good day. Not everyone can repeat it.”
Tall Tailz Charters’ record-breaking fish weren’t accidents. They were outcomes.
And in Rhode Island tautog fishing, no one has proven that more clearly than Captain Connor MacLeod.
