Updated: Thursday, October 15, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 22, 2026
This Montauk fishing report covers mid-October, when the fall run at the end of Long Island builds around the Point. Striped bass are the lead target, gathering around Montauk Point and the rips on moving water, with bluefish feeding on bait and false albacore still a possibility, as they linger in some years. The main condition to plan around is current: fish the strong moving water, keep an eye on wind direction, and stay mobile enough to follow the birds.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass build around Montauk Point and the rips, and the fall run is on the rise. Bluefish feed on bait, often in the same water as the bass, and false albacore are still around in some years. Tautog sit on the rocks for anglers willing to fish tight to structure.
Expect the striper run to build through the end of October and into November as bait moves down the island, with weather and wind driving the action from day to day.
Where to Find Them
Start at Montauk Point and the rips on moving water for stripers, and fish the surf from Camp Hero for bass and blues. Rocky shorelines hold tautog.
Beyond the Point itself, the north-side beaches and the rocky shoreline toward Camp Hero all hold fish when bait is close. Start with spots that show a clean current seam, work outward, and go first to any birds working over bait. Seams gather drifting bait along a predictable line, and bass sit just off the faster water to ambush it. The fall run is as much about being mobile as knowing one honey hole.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon heading toward first quarter, tides ease through mid-October. Moving water in the rips is still the best bet, and dawn and dusk are the prime windows. Check a tide chart and wind forecast for your dates.
Wind direction matters here: a steady northeast or northwest wind often changes which side of the Point fishes best, so be willing to switch beaches.
Tackle & Tactics
- Bucktails, eels and swimming plugs for the rips; live bait for bass.
- A medium-heavy surf rod with 30 pound braid for casting distance and big fish.
- Plugs in a variety of sizes to match the bait.
Dress for cold wind and wet rocks, and wear cleated boots or studded waders. Watch for birds and boiling water. Bucktails sink fast enough to get below surface chop in a strong rip, and eels fished slowly are a time-tested way to draw bass out of the rocks.
Local Intel This Week
Montauk Point State Park is the starting point for shore anglers working the Point and its rips, and Camp Hero opens up the rocky shoreline and surf to the south. Montauk Harbor is the base for boats heading to the rips. Shagwong Beach and Napeague State Park offer more shoreline to explore when the Point is crowded or the wind favors the north side. Expect fish to concentrate at the Point and along the surf. Striper rules in particular are specific. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Time the tide. The rips produce on strong moving water, so plan around the peak current rather than the slack. Arrive well before the strongest flow so you have time to find a seam and get set up before the best window opens.
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