INSHORE
The striped bass have recently begun their annual migration eastward to Block Island, however a few stragglers still remain in the rips around the point/Great Eastern area! Bucktails and diamond jigs are still the way to go if you want to try to find one in Montauk waters. The fluking has been steady in the south grounds about 8-10 miles south of the point. Many anglers have been picking through the shorts to find an occasional 19-23 inch fish. Nearby black seabass has also been steady but the bigger fish are in the block island region. Bottom fishing with strip baits/bucktails/gulps have been proven successful for both fluke and seabass. The sharking bite has been very productive (just in time for shark week) using live bluefish on heavy wire. Big brown sharks have been seen chasing hooked striped bass and make for a fun and challenging fight! Happy shark week!
OFFSHORE
The tuna action has been hot all around the southern grounds all the way east toward the Claw. With warmer, southern water moving in the yellowfins and mahi have also joined the party, feeding on schools of sand eels, mackerel, and bunker. The bluefin bite was off the charts in the first few weeks of July and has recently hit the brakes in the last few days. They are now spread out and have even moved northeast. Trolling spreader bars, ballyhoo, and side trackers have been effective! Depending on feeding behavior, jigging and popping has also been productive. A few striped marlin have been caught on the tuna grounds as well as larger brown, mako, and thresher sharks. Our marina just recently weighed a 365 pound Thresher that was caught by Rocco Costa and the boys on CODSTA, by chunking for tuna! The canyon bite has been on fire as well! If you’re feeling like venturing out to the deep, you’ll find acres of Bigeye tuna, yellowfin, and bigger Mahi roaming the blue waters of the canyons. The 2025 Montauk Canyon Challenge saw plenty of giants at the weigh station! The big ones are out there!
Fair winds and following seas!
– Ben
