Montauk Fishing Charters & Guides

Montauk Fishing Charters

Montauk, New York is a far cry from the bright lights and high rises of Manhattan. New Yorkers know there’s more to The Empire State than the city that never sleeps. Montauk is just one example of where New York locals and visitors can get away from it all and enjoy the great outdoors. Long Island is a long, thin peninsula just east of New York City. On the west side of the island is Brooklyn. And about 115 miles east, at the very tip of Long Island, you’ll find Montauk. Technically, Connecticut is closer to Montauk; it’s just 90 miles away across the sound. And at the very tip of the peninsula is the famous Montauk Lighthouse & Museum, a great place to visit with your family. Those who love to visit the Hamptons know all about Montauk. Its nickname is “The End” - for obvious reasons (it’s at the end of the island). There are a lot of activities for families of all sizes and ages to enjoy. There’s the beach for sunbathing, playing in the sand, or surfing; and then there’s the fishing, of which there are limitless opportunities!

Montauk Inshore Fishing

Inshore fishing adventures are great for young or novice anglers; it’s the perfect combination for families visiting Montauk. Go just a few miles away from the coast to get your hook in the water, and you’ll be feeling a tug on your line in no time at all. Summer months are the best time for fishing close to the shore. Inshore species such as flounder (also known as fluke in these parts), sea bass, porgies, and striped bass show up in good numbers. For a real adventure, try trolling for striped bass as the sun goes down. Ideally, your fishing excursion should be scheduled around the “golden” hours of the day (dawn or dusk) as this is when fish are feeding and most active. Fluke (or flounder) are a great fish to target during your inshore fishing trip. They are a flat fish that are found near ledges and drop-offs, waiting for their next meal. Fluke are brown on the top and white on the bottom so that they blend in with their surroundings and hide from predators and prey. They are known to hide, and then strike when their food is near. To present your bait in a natural way, use a leader weight and let the bait drift towards the ledge or dropoff. Don’t set the hook at the feel of a first strike. Wait just a few seconds until the bait is securely taken, then set your hook and start reeling. Montauk fluke weigh anywhere from one to five pounds, perfect for young anglers. Another popular fish for Montauk fishing trips is the striped bass; it’s practically legendary. You may know it better as rockfish or striper, but striped bass are simply a fun fish to catch! True to its name, striped bass have black lines running along its silver body from head to tail. They typically average about 20 pounds, making it an attainable challenge for any angler. You can go trolling for striped bass, or try your hand at fly fishing or even jigging. These are all techniques known to bring rockfish to the boat, and your cooler. In order to protect the population, New York requires that your striped bass catch be a minimum of 28” before harvesting, and only one fish per angler. Most inshore adventures starting from Montauk will fish the nearby Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound. These are both great fisheries for fluke, striped bass, sea bass, and bluefish to name a few. There’s also Gardiners Bay and several harbors just around the corner that offer more opportunities for anglers looking to bring home fresh fish.

Montauk Offshore Fishing

While the inshore fishing is very good in Montauk, offshore fishing is what it’s really all about! The size of the tunas that charters bring in will have you drooling for fish tacos, sashimi and more! Or try your hand at shark fishing, another favorite for Montauk fishing charters. You won’t be the first angler to suddenly start thinking about the Jaws theme song when you’re deep sea fishing in Montauk. There’s just something about the town that closely resembles the fictional town of Amity Island. And fishing for sharks is a favorite activity for those who fish near Montauk. In fact, the largest fish ever caught on rod and reel was a 3,427 pound great white shark caught off of Montauk. It is said that the angler, Captain Frank Mundus, served as inspiration for the character Quint in Jaws. Swimming in the deep Atlantic Ocean waters are Tiger sharks, Blue sharks, Mako sharks, Hammerhead sharks, and many more. You’ll need heavy tackle for this outing; or hire a local guide that has everything you need, including the knowledge of reeling in the tax man.

Book a Montauk Fishing Charter

Whether you’re looking to fish all day, or attempt a little night fishing, Montauk is the place for you. They have little fish for little anglers, huge trophy fish for the experienced anglers, and everything in between. Find a charter that’s perfect for your group with FishAnywhere.com - search and book today!