Montauk is in the heart of its spring run. Stripers are at full strength on the south side, the sea bass wrecks are loaded, fluke is open, and the first bluefin tuna sightings of the year have come in.
Striped Bass — Full Strength
The south side from the Lighthouse west to Ditch Plains is loaded with stripers. Trolling live bunker or chunking from anchor in the rips at the Point is producing fish in the 35–45 inch range constantly. Cow bass in the 50-plus lb class are getting caught daily for boats putting in time. The Frisbie’s and Pollock are stacked with bait and stripers underneath. Surf casters from Camp Hero through Ditch are getting fish at first and last light on bunker chunks and pencil poppers.
Sea Bass — Stacked
Sea bass season opened and the inshore wrecks (Stuckey, Frisbie’s, Block Island wrecks) are loaded with quality fish. Squid and clam on a high-low rig in 60–100 feet. Many boats are limiting in 90 minutes.
Fluke and Porgies
Fluke is open and the bay side and offshore drifts are producing. Drift with bucktails tipped with squid or Gulp! Porgies (scup) are blowing up on the rips and are an easy limit on clam.
Bluefin Tuna — Early Sightings
First bluefin tuna sightings 20–30 miles out. Boats are starting to run scouting trips. The bite will fire in late May and June. Mackerel are stacked offshore and provide bait for the giant bluefin chasers.
Specific Spots This Week
The Montauk Point rip at first light is the move — work the white water with big plugs and SP Minnows. False Bar at sunrise is producing trophy-class stripers for boats casting live bunker. The Frisbie’s and Pollock Rip are stacked with bait and stripers underneath. Surf casters at Camp Hero and Ditch Plains are getting fish at first and last light on bunker chunks. Sea bass anglers are limiting at Cox Ledge and the Block Island wrecks on squid and clam in 80–110 feet. Fluke is best on the bay-side flats and the offshore drift at Pollock Rip — bucktails tipped with squid strips. The first bluefin sightings have come from boats running 30 miles south to the 40-fathom curve.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 55–58°F. New moon Saturday — strong rips this week. SW winds Wednesday/Thursday, NE Saturday. The Point at dawn is the move.
Local Intel This Week
Frisbie’s Beach and the Pollock at dawn are producing trophy stripers — bring big pencil poppers and SP swimmers, chunk live bunker at anchor. Block Island wrecks for sea bass limits in 80-100 feet. Sand Eel run is just starting on the south side — when it fires, every fish in the ocean shows up. New York saltwater license required (free with registration), stripers slot 28-31 inches, 1 per angler. Tight lines.