July 2025 — Montauk: Bluefin tuna offshore, sharks, fluke excellent. July is a summer month with water in the 64-70°F range — Canal striper, fluke, sea bass, tautog; tuna peaking offshore. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — July 2025
Primary targets this month: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Yellowfin Tuna.
Striped Bass
Striper around 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 and chunked bait; bucktails and soft plastics on lighter tackle.
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).
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna on the canyons in summer and fall. Chunking (cut sardine, butterfish) at anchor, live bait drifting, or trolled feathers and cedar plugs. Heavy stand-up tackle (50-80 lb class) for the bigger grades.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 64-70°F. Canal striper, fluke, sea bass, tautog; tuna peaking offshore. 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
- Peak Cape Cod season. Stripers, blues, fluke, sea bass, tautog, tuna — every species available.
- Stellwagen tuna. Bluefin on the bank — chunking and live-baiting at the lumps.
July Outlook
Summer pattern locked in — dawn/dusk inshore, deep offshore, manage heat.
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. Bluefish: 3 per day in federal waters (verify state rules). Tuna: NOAA HMS permit required. Strict size and bag limits — verify current NOAA 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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