Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This Montauk fishing report covers late October, when the fall run at the end of Long Island builds around the Point. Striped bass are the lead target in Montauk Point and the rips, bluefish push bait, and tautog settle onto the rocks. The condition to plan around is the tide: with the moon building toward full, the rips run harder, so time your trip to the strongest moving water and fish dawn and dusk whenever you can. Surf and boat anglers both have options around the Point.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are the main event, building around Montauk Point and the rips as late October moves along. Bluefish feed on bait in the same water, and tautog hold on the rocks. In some years a few false albacore still show, so keep a light rod rigged in case they pop up.
Expect the striper run to keep building through the end of October and into November as bait moves down the island. Bass follow that migrating bait and concentrate at the Point, where the rips squeeze it into predictable lanes.
Where to Find Them
Fish Montauk Point and the rips on moving water for stripers. From shore, work the surf from Camp Hero for bass and blues. Rocky shorelines hold tautog.
The rips work because current pushing over uneven bottom creates seams and eddies where bait gets disoriented, and bass sit just downtide of those edges to ambush it. Tautog live tight to rock and feed on crabs and mussels, so fish close to the bottom rather than covering water.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon building toward full, tides strengthen and the rips run harder. Moving water in the rips is best, and dawn and dusk are the prime windows.
More current tightens the feeding lanes but makes boat handling and footing on the rocks more demanding. Check a current tide chart and wind forecast before you go, since wind against tide can stack up steep seas at the Point.
Tackle & Tactics
- Rips: bucktails, eels and swimming plugs. Bucktails get down fast in strong current, swimmers cover the upper water column when fish push bait, and eels are a standard low-light offering.
- Bass on bait: live bait works well.
- Surf setup: a medium-heavy surf rod with 30 pound braid.
Dress for cold wind and wet rocks, and wear cleated boots or studded waders. The rocks around the Point are slick and uneven.
Local Intel This Week
Montauk Point State Park and Camp Hero put surf anglers within reach of the rocks and rips; arrive before first light to claim a spot on the best water. Montauk Harbor is the base for boat anglers running to the rips. The site’s location guide also lists Napeague State Park and Shagwong Beach on the east end as additional shore options when the Point is crowded. Striper rules 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 be in position before the current peaks rather than arriving as it slacks. Know when the rips run hardest and plan your casts around those windows.
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