New York · Long Island
PORGY FISHING
IN MONTAUK
Montauk is a solid destination for porgy fishing, with good fishing in June, July, August, September. Book a charter and target porgy with local experts.
About Porgy Fishing in Montauk
Also called Scup, porgy are abundant and reliable pan fish found from New Jersey to Connecticut. These scrappy fighters are excellent eating and provide fast action on light tackle around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom structure.
Porgy — also called Scup — are one of the most reliable and abundant bottom fish from New Jersey to Connecticut. These small, pan-shaped fish with iridescent silver-blue scales and a distinctive spiny dorsal fin are excellent eating with sweet, mild flesh. Porgy gather in large schools around structure, making them easy to locate and fun to catch in quantity. While not glamorous, they are a bread-and-butter species that provides fast, consistent action for anglers of all skill levels — especially popular for family fishing trips.
Scientific name: Stenotomus chrysops
Porgy Seasonal Calendar — Montauk
Month-by-month availability for porgy in Montauk, NY.
How to Catch Porgy in Montauk
Techniques & Bait
Small pieces of clam, squid, or sandworm on a high-low rig (two-hook bottom rig) with a bank sinker fished near rocky bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. Small jigs (1/4-1/2 oz) tipped with clam or squid worked near the bottom also produce well. Chum with crushed clam or cat food to concentrate schools. Fish structure transitions — where rock meets sand — for the best catches. Porgy bite aggressively and provide quick, reliable action.
Recommended Tackle
Light spinning rod (6-7 ft), 2000-2500 reel, 8-10 lb braid, 10-15 lb fluorocarbon leader, small hooks (size 4-1/0), light sinkers (1/2-2 oz).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Montauk
Top spots where local captains target porgy 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.
Porgy Fishing in Montauk — FAQ
Porgy fishing in Montauk is productive during June, July, August, September.
Porgy 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.
Small pieces of clam, squid, or sandworm on a high-low rig (two-hook bottom rig) with a bank sinker fished near rocky bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. Small jigs (1/4-1/2 oz) tipped with clam or squid worked near the bottom also produce well. Chum with crushed clam or cat food to concentrate schools. Fish structure transitions — where rock meets sand — for the best catches. Porgy bite aggressively and provide quick, reliable action.
No — when you book a charter in Montauk, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Porgy 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 Porgy in Montauk, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Fluke, False Albacore. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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