New York · Long Island
BLUEFISH FISHING
IN MONTAUK
Montauk is an excellent destination for bluefish fishing, with peak season in June, July, August and good catches in May, September, October. Book a charter and target bluefish with local experts.
About Bluefish Fishing in Montauk
Bluefish are aggressive, hard-fighting predators found along the entire Atlantic coast. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and voracious feeding frenzies, blues are exciting to catch on both bait and lures and make excellent table fare when bled immediately.
Bluefish are the most aggressive predator fish in the Atlantic — known for their ferocious feeding frenzies ("bluefish blitzes") where schools of hundreds of fish attack baitfish at the surface, chopping through schools like a chainsaw. Their blue-green back, silver sides, and razor-sharp teeth make them unmistakable. Bluefish are hard fighters on light tackle, with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. They are found from Florida to New England, migrating along the coast in spring and fall. Caution: their teeth can cause serious injury — use a de-hooking tool.
Scientific name: Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish Seasonal Calendar — Montauk
Month-by-month availability for bluefish in Montauk, NY.
How to Catch Bluefish in Montauk
Techniques & Bait
Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning rod (7 ft), 4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon or wire leader (bluefish teeth cut fluorocarbon regularly — 40 lb+ or short wire bite leader recommended).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Montauk
Top spots where local captains target bluefish and other nearshore species.
The Elbow
The Elbow is a natural bend in the underwater topography just south of Montauk Point where currents deflect off the rocky bottom, creating a massive rip that concentrates baitfish and predators. Striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, and bonito stack up in the rip line from spring through fall, feeding aggressively in the turbulent water. Boat anglers drifting or trolling through the Elbow during the fall run experience some of the most explosive fishing on the East Coast.
Montauk Lighthouse Reef
The rocky reef structure extending underwater from Montauk Point creates a natural reef system that holds black sea bass, tautog, porgy, and fluke in 20 to 50 feet of water. The reef's diverse bottom of boulders, gravel, and sand supports a rich ecosystem that attracts both bottom-dwellers and pelagic species passing the point. Bottom-fishing the reef on slack tide produces excellent catches of tautog and sea bass between the strong current periods.
Shagwong Reef
Shagwong Reef is a rocky underwater feature north of Montauk Point in Block Island Sound, where the bottom rises from surrounding depths to create a fish-concentrating structure. Striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and porgy hold on the reef during tidal flows that push baitfish across the rock structure. The reef's proximity to Montauk Harbor makes it a quick-run destination for boats targeting both bottom fish and stripers on the same trip.
Castor Wreck
The Castor is a well-known shipwreck lying in approximately 60 feet of water south of Montauk Point, providing artificial reef habitat in the nearshore zone. Black sea bass, tautog, ling, and fluke congregate on the wreck's steel structure throughout the year, with peak action during spring and fall. The wreck is a popular half-day destination for Montauk charter boats combining bottom-fishing with trolling the surrounding waters for striped bass and bluefish.
Other Species in Montauk
More fish you can target while visiting Montauk.
Bluefish Fishing in Montauk — FAQ
The peak months for Bluefish fishing in Montauk are June, July, August. During these months, Bluefish are most active and abundant in the Montauk area.
Bluefish fishing charters in Montauk are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.
No — when you book a charter in Montauk, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Bluefish regulations in New York include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Bluefish in Montauk, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Fluke, False Albacore, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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