May 2025 — Montauk: Striped bass season in full swing, fluke opens. May is a spring month with water in the 50-58°F range — striped bass arrive in numbers; Canal fishery opens; mackerel. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — May 2025
Primary targets this month: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Tautog.
Striped Bass
Striped bass at the Montauk Point rips (the famous “Point” — one of the top striper destinations on Earth), the south side beaches, North Bar, Shagwong Reef, the Block Island channel. Live bait (eels, bunker), trolled tubes and parachutes, or surface plugs at the rips. Peak season — fish actively feeding.
Bluefish
Bluefish at the same waters as stripers — the Point, North Bar, the rips, and the Block Island channel during summer and fall. Surface plugs (poppers, walking baits), metal lures (Hopkins, Kastmasters), or chunked bunker. Wire leader essential — bluefish teeth shred mono and fluoro instantly.
Fluke
Fluke (summer flounder) on the bays (Lake Montauk, Napeague), the south side beach in 30-80 feet, Block Island Sound, and the offshore lumps. Drift over sandy bottom with a bucktail jig tipped with Berkley Gulp! 5-6″ or a strip of squid. Three-way rigs with a teaser and a large bucktail are deadly. Bigger fish hold in deeper water (60-120 ft).
Tautog
Tautog (blackfish) on the rocky bottom around Montauk Point, the offshore wrecks, and the jetties. Green crab is the gold standard bait; whole or half on a 4/0 octopus hook with minimal weight. Bites are subtle, sets must be sharp. Cold-water specialist — best Nov-May.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 50-58°F. Striped bass arrive in numbers; canal fishery opens; mackerel. Montauk Point is ALL about tide — the rips form on outgoing as Long Island Sound water flushes around the point and meets the ocean. Peak striper bite is typically the last two hours of outgoing into the first of incoming.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Striped bass arrival. First fish appear in Buzzards Bay, then Cape Canal, then through the Cape and Maine waters.
- Canal early. Pre-dawn west-tide for the legendary Cape Cod Canal striper bite.
May Outlook
Late spring — tarpon arriving, snook moving, summer pelagic season building offshore.
Regulations Reminder
Striped Bass: Federal slot typically 28-31″ with state variations; verify ASMFC and state rules annually. Fluke (Summer Flounder): 17-19″ minimum (state-by-state), 3-4 per day. Tautog: 15-16″ minimum, 1-4 per day depending on state and season — strictly regulated. Bluefish: 3 per day in federal waters (verify state rules). Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Paulie’s Tackle (Montauk, 631-668-2231); Star Island Yacht Club tackle shop; Captain Bob’s Tackle; West Lake Marina Bait.
Public Boat Ramps: Lake Montauk public ramp, West Lake Marina, Star Island Yacht Club (private), Montauk Marine Basin (private).
Charter Fishing: $700-$1,000 inshore; $1,200-$1,800 nearshore wrecks; $1,800-$3,500 offshore tuna/shark.
More Montauk Resources
Montauk Fishing Guide · Montauk Seasonal Calendar · All Montauk reports →
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