New York · Long Island
FALSE ALBACORE FISHING
IN MONTAUK
Montauk is an excellent destination for false albacore fishing, with peak season in September, October and good catches in November. Book a charter and target false albacore with local experts.
About False Albacore Fishing in Montauk
False albacore — also called little tunny or fat alberts — are the premier light-tackle gamefish of the fall run from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Their incredible speed, long runs, and surface-feeding blitzes make them a fly fishing and light-tackle favorite.
False Albacore — also called Little Tunny or "Fat Alberts" — are the premier light-tackle gamefish of the fall run from North Carolina to Massachusetts. These small tuna relatives are incredibly fast, making screaming runs that peel hundreds of yards of line in seconds. They feed on the surface in visible "blitzes," crashing through schools of baitfish (bay anchovies, silversides) with explosive surface feeds. While not considered great table fare (dark, bloody flesh), false albacore are prized by fly fishers and light-tackle enthusiasts as one of the most exciting fish to catch on artificial lures.
Scientific name: Euthynnus alletteratus
False Albacore Seasonal Calendar — Montauk
Month-by-month availability for false albacore in Montauk, NY.
How to Catch False Albacore in Montauk
Techniques & Bait
Casting Deadly Dick metal lures, Hogy epoxy jig sticks, and small Kastmasters into surface-feeding blitzes is the go-to technique. Small soft plastic jigs (white or silver Albie Snax) on 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads retrieved at high speed just below the surface are deadly. Fly fishing with small (size 1-2) Surf Candy, Clouser Minnow, and Albie Whip patterns on intermediate lines is considered the ultimate fall fly fishing experience. The key is matching the small baitfish (2-3 inch bay anchovies) — oversized lures and flies are rejected.
Recommended Tackle
Light to medium spinning rod (7 ft), 3000-4000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 15-20 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 8-9 weight rod, large arbor reel with 200+ yards of backing, intermediate or clear-tip line. Light tackle maximizes the fight.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Montauk
Top spots where local captains target false albacore 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.
False Albacore Fishing in Montauk — FAQ
The peak months for False Albacore fishing in Montauk are September, October. During these months, False Albacore are most active and abundant in the Montauk area.
False Albacore 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 Deadly Dick metal lures, Hogy epoxy jig sticks, and small Kastmasters into surface-feeding blitzes is the go-to technique. Small soft plastic jigs (white or silver Albie Snax) on 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads retrieved at high speed just below the surface are deadly. Fly fishing with small (size 1-2) Surf Candy, Clouser Minnow, and Albie Whip patterns on intermediate lines is considered the ultimate fall fly fishing experience. The key is matching the small baitfish (2-3 inch bay anchovies) — oversized lures and flies are rejected.
No — when you book a charter in Montauk, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
False Albacore 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 False Albacore in Montauk, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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