Inshore Full Day Fishing in Montauk, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting Striped Bass in Montauk watersBottom fishing available for Fluke, Seabass, and Porgy speciesSmall group experience with maximum four guests per trip
When you're looking for top-rated inshore fishing action on Long Island's East End, Montauk delivers like nowhere else. Against The Wind Fishing runs full-day charters that put you right in the heart of some of the Northeast's best fishing grounds. You'll spend your day working the rips, drop-offs, and rocky structure that make this area a magnet for hungry game fish. With just four anglers max, you're not fighting for rod space or the captain's attention – this is intimate fishing at its finest. Whether you're after the thrill of a trophy striper or looking to fill the cooler with keeper fluke, this trip covers all the bases.
Your morning starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the bite is hottest. We'll head out into Block Island Sound or around Montauk Point depending on conditions and where the fish are showing up. The beauty of a full-day trip is flexibility; if the stripers aren't cooperating in one spot, we've got time to move and find the action. You'll be fishing prime tidal movements, which is when these fish really turn on and feed aggressively. The captain reads the water like a book – watching for bird activity, bait schools, and structure that holds fish. Don't worry if you're new to this; the crew will get you dialed in on everything from jigging technique to reading your rod tip for subtle bites. Between the scenic Montauk coastline and the steady action, you'll understand why this area has such a legendary reputation among Northeast anglers.
We run a mix of fishing styles depending on what's biting best. For stripers, you'll likely be throwing bucktails, soft plastics, or live eels around structure. The key is getting your lure down to where these fish are holding – sometimes that's 20 feet, other times they're hugging bottom in 40-50 feet of water. When we're bottom fishing for fluke and sea bass, it's all about feeling the bottom and working your rig with subtle lifts and drops. The boat carries quality spinning and conventional tackle, but if you've got your own favorite setup, bring it along. Circle hooks are the standard here for live bait work, and we'll have plenty of fresh squid, spearing, and other local baits that these fish can't resist. The captain will coach you through reading bites – fluke have a distinctive tap-tap before they commit, while sea bass usually just load up your rod when they grab your offering.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing, and for good reason. These fish can range from schoolie size up to genuine trophy specimens pushing 40+ pounds. They're most active during moving water – incoming and outgoing tides get them feeding heavily on the abundant baitfish that call these waters home. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations as they migrate along the coast. What makes stripers so exciting is their fight; they'll make powerful runs and use the current to their advantage. You'll feel every head shake and surge right through your rod. Scup (porgy) might be smaller, but they're excellent table fare and provide steady action when you find a good school. These fish often travel in large numbers and once you dial in the right depth, you can catch them two at a time. They're perfect for newer anglers to build confidence and learn proper bottom fishing techniques.
Tautog are the bulldogs of the bunch – short, powerful fish that live around rocky structure and fight like they're twice their size. They're notorious bait stealers with their crushing jaws, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook quickly. Black sea bass are another rocky bottom favorite that's been making a strong comeback in recent years. They're aggressive feeders that will often follow a hooked fish right up to the boat, giving you a chance at doubling up. Bluefish bring pure excitement to any trip – they're voracious predators that will hit lures with reckless abandon and fight dirty with their razor-sharp teeth. When a school of blues moves through, it's all hands on deck for fast and furious action that'll leave your arms burning.
This world-class fishery doesn't wait around, and neither should you. Montauk's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent and diverse fishing you'll find anywhere on the East Coast. Against The Wind Fishing has built their reputation on putting clients on fish while providing the kind of personal service you just can't get on crowded party boats. With only four anglers per trip, you're getting a semi-private charter experience at a fraction of the cost. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience why Montauk fishing is legendary, this full-day adventure delivers the goods. The fish are here, the crew knows where to find them, and all that's missing is you with a rod in your hand.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing. These powerful fish typically run 20-40 pounds around here, with their distinctive dark stripes making them easy to identify. They love structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and moving water where baitfish get pushed around. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during tide changes when they feed aggressively. What makes stripers special is their fight - they'll make long runs and put a serious bend in your rod. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when you're fishing the rips around Montauk Point, watch for diving birds. Those terns and gannets will show you exactly where the stripers are pushing bait to the surface. Time it right with the tide, and you'll be into fish all day.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are chunky, cooperative fish that make for great table fare and steady action. Most run 1-3 pounds around here, with their big mouths and spiny dorsal fins. They stick to structure like wrecks, rocky bottom, and around pilings in 30-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed. What guests enjoy about sea bass is they're reliable biters and put up a solid fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters - firm, white, and sweet. Interesting fact: they're all born female and change to males as they get bigger. Here's a tip that works every time: use a simple two-hook rig with squid strips and fish right on the bottom. When you get one, stay put - where there's one sea bass, there's usually a whole school.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression with fins - fast, toothy predators that arrive in Montauk around June and stay through October. They typically run 2-10 pounds and travel in schools, often creating feeding frenzies called "bluefish blitz" that churn the water white. You'll find them anywhere baitfish are concentrated - surf, rips, and open water. What makes blues exciting is their savage strikes and strong runs, plus they're willing biters that'll hit almost anything. Fresh blues are excellent eating when bled and iced immediately. Here's the key: when you see birds diving and bait getting hammered on the surface, get there fast. Blues move quickly through an area. Use wire leaders because those razor teeth will cut through mono in seconds. A simple metal jig or chunk bait works great when they're feeding.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as locals call them, are perfect for anglers wanting steady action. These silver, deep-bodied fish usually run 1-2 pounds and hang around rocky bottom and structure from May through October. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws built for crushing shells, so you'll find them near wrecks, jetties, and rocky areas in 20-80 feet of water. What guests love about scup is they're easy to catch and great for beginners - they bite readily and fight hard for their size. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: use small hooks with squid or clam, and fish right on the bottom. When you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately - let them take it and run with it for a second. Their small mouths mean you need to time that hookset just right.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of the sea - thick, strong, and stubborn fighters that live around rocky structure. Most run 2-4 pounds, with their mottled brown skin helping them blend into the rocks and wrecks they call home. Spring and fall are best, especially when water temps are in the 50s and 60s. These fish are territorial and won't move far from their rocky hideouts, making them predictable targets. What anglers love is the challenge - tautog have crushers in their mouths that can crack crab shells, so they bite hard and fight dirty. They're also top-notch eating. Here's my go-to method: use green crabs with the legs and claws crushed up, then sprinkle the shell pieces around your fishing spot. That scent drives them crazy. Fish tight to structure and be ready to pull them away from the rocks fast.
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