[LT. DAN 2]

I fished Buzzards Bay exclusively so my comments may not apply to R.I. areas. I found that early morning moving tide worked best but based on moving water they will feed all day. It didn't really matter if it was high to low or the reverse. The structure is rockpiles below and you need to anchor up as drifting never worked well. Depths range from 14 feet to plus 40 depending on where your fishing.
Heed the advice of rockpile fisherman and always retrieve your anchor pulling straight up. (take the time to motor right up to it) I've bent several anchors trying to pull it thru the boulders in a hurry to change spots or head for the barn due to changes in weather conditions. I used to motor just beyond the rockpile, drop the anchor and drift back into the field to save my arms on the retrieve.
Tautog seem to travel in small groups and move from boulder to boulder seeking crabs and mollusks. When your anchored up you'll see on your fish finder a family of them come under the boat and stay for as long as you're feeding them (a chum bag of crushed clams/mussels etc works very well to hold them but not a necessity).
Green crabs are the ticket for fall fishing pulling off the legs and claws and hooking them through the back leg and into the "V" on it's bottom (#3 or #4 tautog hooks). Save any large claws for emergency baits as you can't believe how quickly you can run out.
Technique: Tautog crush the crab in their strong jaws so when you feel some resistance set the hook and pull up hard as they will head for the boulders and try to wrap you up. You'll be impressed with the power they can exert in those first few seconds.