Montauk fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. The fall run at the end of Long Island is heating up. The bait is arriving, the stripers are moving in, and the Point is a hot spot. A new moon this weekend brings strong tides.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are the main attraction at the Point, the rips and the surf, feeding on bunker, sand eels and herring. False albacore are in the rips and along the beaches, bluefish are mixed in, and bonito are possible. Tautog are on the rocks, sea bass and fluke are on the structure, and offshore the tuna are hitting out at the canyons.
Where to Find Them
Montauk Point, the Camp Hero shoreline and Ditch Plains are the classic surf spots. The rips off the Point, such as Shagwong Reef, hold stripers and blues for boaters. Fort Pond Bay and the harbor provide protected waters, and the offshore canyons are the place for tuna.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings strong tides and swift current at the Point. The rips can be dangerous in rough weather, so be careful. The surf can be rough in a northeast wind, which usually triggers the fish to feed.
Tackle & Tactics
Surf anglers use bucktails, swimming plugs and live eels. Boaters use diamond jigs, tube-and-worm rigs and live bunker in the rips. For albacore, small metal jigs and fast retrieves work. For tautog, use green crabs.
Anglers without a boat can work the beaches east and west of the Point on foot. The area around Camp Hero offers a long stretch of rocky shoreline with deep water close to shore, and the stripers cruise right along the edge at dawn.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Montauk Point State Park, Camp Hero State Park, Ditch Plains and the Montauk Inlet area. Fish are concentrating in the rips, the Point and the surf. Check current New York DEC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, as striped bass rules are strict.
This Week’s Tip
Be safe at the Point. Wear a lifejacket or a wading belt, and never turn your back on the surf. The rocks are slippery, and the waves can surprise you.
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