Top Rated Inshore Fishing Adventures in Montauk
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Stripers and Black Sea Bass in Montauk's productive inshore waters.Complete tackle setup with Penn and Shimano gear provided.Free catch cleaning and filleting service included with trip.
Montauk's inshore waters are legendary among East Coast anglers, and for good reason. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience some of the most productive inshore fishing grounds in the Northeast. With Bitchin' Fishin' Charters, you'll work the structure-rich waters where stripers stack up and black sea bass patrol the rocky bottom. Our top-rated charter provides everything you need for a successful day on the water, from premium Penn and Shimano gear to professional catch cleaning and filleting services. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bite, these waters deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your Montauk inshore adventure begins in waters that have been feeding New York's fishing obsession for generations. We're talking about fishing around legendary structure like the Point, Shagwong Reef, and the countless boulder fields that make this area a magnet for game fish. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you might be working a sandy bottom for fluke, the next you're bouncing jigs around rocky structure for black sea bass. Our experienced captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, reading the tides, current breaks, and bottom structure to put you on fish. With a maximum of six anglers aboard, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up. The intimate group size also means more personalized attention and better fishing instruction if you need it.
We fish these inshore waters using a mix of techniques that match the conditions and target species. You'll be working with quality Penn and Shimano rods and reels that can handle everything from finicky scup to bruiser stripers. Depending on what's biting, we might be drifting with bucktails and gulp baits, working live eels around structure, or casting topwater plugs during the early morning bite. The tackle box is loaded with everything from diamond jigs for deep water bass to soft plastics for working the shallows. Bottom fishing here means dealing with rocky terrain, so we come prepared with plenty of sinkers and rigs. When the stripers are schooled up, we'll switch to lighter tackle and work the fish with swimming plugs or live bait. The key is staying versatile – these Montauk fish have seen every trick in the book, so having multiple presentations ready to go is what separates a good day from a great one.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Montauk inshore fishing, and these waters produce some absolute slobs. Spring and fall are prime time when the migration brings massive schools through the area. These fish are built for the current and structure around Montauk Point, ambushing baitfish in the rips and tide lines. What makes stripers special here is their size and attitude – a 30-inch fish is just getting started, and 40-plus inch cows are always a possibility. They're aggressive fighters that will test your drag and give you that classic striper headshake. The best part about Montauk stripers is their predictability during the right conditions – find the birds working, locate the bait, and you've found the bass.
Black Sea Bass around Montauk are chunky, aggressive bottom dwellers that provide non-stop action when they're biting. These fish live around the rocky structure and wrecks, making them perfect targets for vertical jigging and bottom bouncing. Summer months are prime time when the regulations allow harvest, and these fish are table fare champions. They're not the biggest fish in the ocean, but pound-for-pound they fight hard and are fun to catch on lighter tackle. What anglers love about black sea bass fishing here is the consistency – when you find a good piece of structure holding fish, you can often load the cooler in short order. They're also a great species for beginners since they bite aggressively and don't require super finicky presentations.
Scup, also known as porgy, are the unsung heroes of Montauk inshore fishing. These scrappy little fighters might not get the glory of stripers, but they provide steady action and are fantastic eating. They school up in huge numbers around structure and are perfect for light tackle fishing. Summer is peak season when they move inshore to spawn, and you can catch them on everything from small jigs to cut bait. What makes scup fishing special is the sheer numbers – when you find a school, everyone on the boat stays busy. They're also a great confidence builder for kids or inexperienced anglers since they bite readily and fight harder than their size suggests.
Montauk's inshore fishing scene is world-class for a reason – the combination of structure, current, and bait creates perfect conditions for multiple species year-round. With Bitchin' Fishin' Charters, you're getting more than just a boat ride; you're getting local knowledge, quality gear, and the peace of mind that comes with professional catch cleaning and filleting. This customer favorite charter experience puts you in the heart of some of the Northeast's most renowned fishing grounds with a captain who knows how to find and catch fish. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just enjoy a day of steady action, these Montauk inshore waters deliver the goods. Don't wait around – the fish are biting and the calendar fills up fast during peak season.
This fully equipped motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing around Montauk's productive waters. The spacious deck gives your group of 6 plenty of room to work the lines while chasing stripers and black sea bass. Below deck, you'll find a comfortable cabin with air conditioning, a full kitchen, and sleeping quarters for longer trips. The fish finder and GPS will help locate the hottest spots, while the radar keeps you safe when visibility drops. Penn and Shimano gear comes ready to go, plus an ice box and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh. The VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and harbor updates. After a successful day on the water, use the onboard cleaning station to fillet your fish, or just relax in the air-conditioned cabin. Whether you're targeting early morning stripers or late afternoon sea bass, this boat has everything needed for productive fishing in Montauk's legendary inshore waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, aggressive bottom dwellers that love our local wrecks and rocky structure. Most fish run 2-4 pounds, but the big males can push 8+ pounds and sport that distinctive blue coloration during spawn. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're shallow, usually 40-120 feet around jetties and artificial reefs. Guests appreciate their strong initial fight and excellent table fare - firm, flaky white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. These guys are also fascinating because they start as females and change to males as they grow. My go-to setup: medium tackle with squid strips on a two-hook rig, and fish right on bottom near structure.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies as locals call them, are these silver-sided bottom dwellers that show up in droves from May through October. Most run 1-2 pounds, but they're scrappy little fighters with strong jaws built for crushing shellfish. You'll find them around rocks, pilings, and sandy bottoms in 20-60 feet of water. They're not glamorous, but guests love how easy they are to catch and how good they taste - firm, sweet meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They also make killer live bait for stripers. Here's the trick: use small hooks with squid or clam, and jig your bait slowly off the bottom. They hit light, so stay alert.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing. These silver-sided fighters with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we see plenty bigger. They love structure - rocks, drop-offs, and moving water near shore. Spring through fall migration brings the best action, especially dawn and dusk when they feed aggressively in the shallows. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste amazing, and those feeding frenzies during fall migration are something every angler should experience. Pro tip: when you see birds working baitfish near the surface, get your live eels or bunker ready - that's where the big girls are feeding.
Montauk, NY