New York · Long Island
FLUKE FISHING
IN MONTAUK
Montauk is an excellent destination for fluke fishing, with peak season in June, July, August and good catches in May, September. Book a charter and target fluke with local experts.
About Fluke Fishing in Montauk
Also called Summer Flounder, fluke are prized flatfish found from the Carolinas to Massachusetts. Distinguished from Gulf flounder by their larger size and left-facing orientation, fluke are ambush predators that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms near structure.
Fluke — properly called Summer Flounder — are the premier flatfish of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Distinguished from Gulf/Southern Flounder by their larger size, left-facing orientation (both eyes on the left side), and distinct spot patterns with 5 large ocelli (eye spots) on the upper body. Fluke are ambush predators that lie buried in sand with only their eyes exposed, launching upward to grab prey. Their camouflage ability is remarkable — they can change color to match the bottom within minutes. Excellent table fare with sweet, firm white flesh.
Scientific name: Paralichthys dentatus
Fluke Seasonal Calendar — Montauk
Month-by-month availability for fluke in Montauk, NY.
How to Catch Fluke in Montauk
Techniques & Bait
Drifting with bucktails (white, chartreuse, or pink) tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or Gulp! Swimming Mullet along sandy bottom in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. "Fluke rigs" (a sliding sinker rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wide-gap hook) baited with a live minnow and strip bait combination is deadly. Drifting over structure transitions — where sand meets rocks, mud, or wrecks — concentrates fish. Slow your drift with a drift sock for better bottom contact.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning rod (6'6"-7 ft), 3000-4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, bucktail jigs (1/2-2 oz depending on depth/current), wide-gap hooks (3/0-5/0).
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Montauk
Top spots where local captains target fluke and other inshore species.
Montauk Point Lighthouse Rocks
The rocky shoreline beneath Montauk Point Lighthouse is the most iconic surf-fishing location in the northeastern United States, where striped bass congregate in enormous numbers during spring and fall migrations. Anglers cast plugs, eels, and bucktails from the boulder-strewn shore into rips and current seams created by the point's underwater rock structure. Trophy striped bass over 50 pounds are caught here every season, earning Montauk Point its legendary status among surfcasters.
Fort Pond Bay
Fort Pond Bay is a sheltered embayment on the north side of Montauk, providing calm inshore waters that hold fluke, striped bass, weakfish, and porgy throughout the warmer months. The bay's sandy bottom and moderate depths create ideal habitat for summer flounder, which concentrate here during their annual inshore migration. Small boats and kayak anglers work Fort Pond Bay for consistent inshore action without the rough ocean conditions found on Montauk's south side.
Lake Montauk
Lake Montauk is a large tidal lake connected to Block Island Sound that serves as Montauk's main harbor, with its channel and basin holding striped bass, fluke, and weakfish around dock pilings and moored vessels. The lake's connection to the open sound brings tidal flushing that maintains water quality and attracts baitfish, which in turn draw gamefish into the harbor. Fishing the entrance channel on outgoing tides produces consistent catches of striped bass feeding on bait swept from the lake.
Napeague Harbor
Napeague Harbor lies along the north side of the narrow Napeague stretch between Amagansett and Montauk, its shallow waters and marsh edges holding striped bass, fluke, and weakfish in a quiet inshore setting. The harbor's eelgrass beds and sand flats provide nursery habitat for juvenile fish and feeding grounds for larger predators during tidal movements. Kayak anglers and light-tackle enthusiasts find excellent sight-fishing opportunities in Napeague Harbor's clear, shallow water.
Other Species in Montauk
More fish you can target while visiting Montauk.
Fluke Fishing in Montauk — FAQ
The peak months for Fluke fishing in Montauk are June, July, August. During these months, Fluke are most active and abundant in the Montauk area.
Fluke fishing charters in Montauk are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Drifting with bucktails (white, chartreuse, or pink) tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or Gulp! Swimming Mullet along sandy bottom in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. "Fluke rigs" (a sliding sinker rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wide-gap hook) baited with a live minnow and strip bait combination is deadly. Drifting over structure transitions — where sand meets rocks, mud, or wrecks — concentrates fish. Slow your drift with a drift sock for better bottom contact.
No — when you book a charter in Montauk, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Fluke 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 Fluke in Montauk, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, False Albacore, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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