Inshore Full Day Fishing in Montauk, NY
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting Striped Bass during prime tidesBottom fishing available for Fluke, Seabass, and Porgy speciesSmall group experience with maximum four guests aboard
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on the East Coast, Montauk delivers every single time. This full-day trip with Against The Wind Fishing puts you right in the heart of where the action happens – those productive waters around Montauk Point where the currents collide and the fish stack up. You'll be targeting prime species like striped bass, black sea bass, tautog, scup, and bluefish in a relaxed setting with just 4 anglers max. No crowds, no rushing – just quality time on the water with plenty of room to fish and learn from an experienced local captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. With only 4 spots available, you get personalized attention and prime fishing real estate without someone casting over your shoulder every five minutes. We time our trips around the best tides, which means you'll be fishing when the bass are most active and feeding aggressively. The morning bite around Montauk can be absolutely electric – especially when we hit those transition zones where baitfish get pushed around by the current. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we'll move between different spots throughout the day. Some days that means working the rocky structure for tautog, other days we're drifting over sandy bottom for fluke and sea bass. The beauty of a full day trip is having time to adapt and chase whatever's hot. You'll spend quality hours learning the ins and outs of reading water, understanding how tides affect fish behavior, and picking up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
We fish a variety of methods depending on what we're targeting and where the fish are holding. For striped bass, we'll often work with live bait like eels or bunker, especially around structure where the big girls like to ambush their prey. When the bass are schooled up and feeding on top, nothing beats the excitement of throwing plugs or soft plastics and watching them crash the surface. Bottom fishing for sea bass, tautog, and scup means dropping down with rigs loaded with clams, crabs, or squid – and trust me, when a keeper tautog grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. These fish fight like they're twice their size. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you need, but if you have favorite lures or gear you like to fish with, bring them along. The captain's always interested in seeing what's working for other anglers, and sometimes a fresh approach can turn a slow bite into fish in the box. Circle hooks are standard for most of our fishing to ensure healthy releases, and we'll walk you through proper fish handling techniques whether you're keeping dinner or sending them back to fight another day.
Striped bass remain the crown jewel of Montauk inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are built for battle – broad shoulders, powerful tails, and an attitude that makes every hookup feel like you're connected to something special. Spring and fall see the biggest migrations, but we get resident fish throughout the summer that know every rock, rip, and piece of structure around the Point. A 20-pound bass will test your drag system and your patience, while the real cows – those 30+ pound fish – can humble even experienced anglers. What makes stripers so special here is their intelligence. They've seen every lure in the book, which means success often comes down to reading conditions, understanding their feeding patterns, and sometimes just being in the right place when they decide to turn on.
Black sea bass might not have the size of stripers, but pound-for-pound they're some of the scrappiest fish in these waters. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they love hanging around rocky bottom and structure. A 3-pound sea bass fights like it weighs twice that, diving straight down and using every rock and crevice to try breaking you off. They're also fantastic eating – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The bonus with sea bass fishing is you never know what else might grab your bait. Fluke, scup, and even the occasional doormat (trophy fluke) cruise the same areas.
Tautog fishing is an art form that separates the dedicated anglers from the casual crowd. These fish have crushing power in their jaws and incredible sensitivity – they can steal your bait without you feeling a thing, or they can nearly yank the rod out of your hands. Fall is prime time for tog fishing when they move into shallow water to feed heavily before winter. The rocks and wrecks around Montauk hold some true giants, and a 6+ pound tautog represents trophy fishing at its finest. Green crabs and Asian shore crabs are candy to these fish, but presentation is everything. Too much weight and you'll get hung up, too little and your bait won't get down to where they're feeding.
Scup (porgy) and bluefish round out the mix and both bring their own excitement to the trip. Scup are abundant, aggressive, and excellent for novice anglers to build confidence. When they're schooled up, it's almost impossible not to catch them, making for non-stop action that keeps everyone engaged. Bluefish are the opposite end of the spectrum – pure aggression with razor-sharp teeth and a willingness to hit anything that moves. When a school of blues moves through, the water explodes with activity and you better hold on tight because they don't give up easily.
Montauk's reputation as a world-class fishing destination didn't happen by accident. The unique geography, with strong currents, diverse structure, and massive baitfish populations, creates perfect conditions for multiple species year-round. This full-day inshore trip gives you the time and space to really experience what makes this area so
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, running 20-40 pounds on average with some bruisers hitting 50+. These silver-sided fighters with their distinctive black stripes love structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and tide rips where baitfish get pushed around. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during moving water when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that hard initial run followed by dogged resistance all the way to the boat. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: watch for birds working the surface - where you see diving terns and gulls, you'll often find stripers busting bait underneath.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are chunky, cooperative fish that make every trip productive. Most run 1-3 pounds, though we see plenty of 4-6 pounders around deeper wrecks and rocky bottom. These dark, grouper-like fish live on structure from 20-120 feet and are most active late spring through summer when they move inshore. Guests love them because they bite consistently, fight well for their size, and are absolutely delicious - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. During spawning, big males turn bright blue with a prominent hump on their heads. My advice: use squid strips on a two-hook rig, fish right on the bottom, and keep your bait moving slightly. They're curious fish that reward patient anglers.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression on fins - hard-fighting predators that average 3-10 pounds and attack everything in sight. These blue-green torpedoes travel in schools, often creating feeding frenzies near the surface when chasing baitfish. Mid-June through October they're in our waters, and you'll find them anywhere from the surf to 30+ feet offshore. Anglers love their fierce strikes and strong runs, plus smaller "cocktail blues" make great table fare. Just watch those razor-sharp teeth when handling them. Best trick is to look for bird activity and surface commotion - when blues are feeding, you can't miss the chaos they create. Wire leaders are a must.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as locals call them, are scrappy little fighters that run 1-2 pounds with some reaching 4. These silver-sided bottom dwellers love rocky areas and structure where they can crush mussels and crabs with their strong jaws. May through October is your best bet when they move inshore with warmer water. They're perfect for families - easy to catch, great eating, and always willing to bite. What's nice is they make excellent bait for stripers when you hook into the bigger ones. My trick is to use small pieces of squid or clam on a light rig and jig it slowly near the bottom. They hit fast and light, so stay alert.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of the wreck - thick, stubborn fighters averaging 3-6 pounds that live around rocky structure and wrecks. These dark, mottled fish have powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and mussels. Fall and spring are best when they're most active, especially around jetties and boulder fields in 20-60 feet. People love targeting them because they fight hard and taste even better - firm, white meat that's perfect for chowder. They're tricky though, picking baits clean without getting hooked. Here's the secret: use green crabs, crack the shell to let the scent out, and feel for that subtle tap-tap before setting the hook. Patience wins with these guys.
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