Montauk Inshore Fishing with Captain Mario
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Striped Bass, Fluke, Porgies, Bluefish, and Rockfish inshoreCaptain Mario guides to Montauk's best fishing spotsFlexible scheduling with up to 2hour start time changes
Looking for a solid day of fishing without the long run offshore? Captain Mario's inshore trips put you right where the action is in Montauk's legendary near-shore waters. With up to 6 anglers on board, you'll have plenty of room to work while targeting some of the East End's most popular species. From the famous striped bass runs to excellent bottom fishing for fluke and porgies, this charter covers all the bases that make Montauk a world-class fishing destination.
Captain Mario knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing that knowledge with his guests. You'll start your day with a quick brief on what's been biting and where, then head out to the spots that are producing. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - one drift you might be working the bottom for fluke, the next you're casting plugs for bass along the rocks. The flexible scheduling means you can adjust your start time up to two hours, perfect for catching the tide changes or working around family schedules. Captain Mario's approach is straightforward: get you on fish and make sure you understand what you're doing so you can repeat your success.
The inshore game around Montauk calls for versatility, and Captain Mario comes prepared. For the stripers, you'll be working with both live bait and artificials depending on conditions - bunker chunks when they're feeding deep, topwater plugs when they're busting bait on the surface. The fluke fishing typically involves bouncing bucktails or spinners along the bottom, feeling for that telltale tap that means a doormat is checking out your offering. When targeting porgies and sea bass, it's all about finding structure and dropping down hi-lo rigs with clams or squid. The boat carries quality tackle, but seasoned anglers often bring their favorite rods for that personal touch. Captain Mario adjusts techniques based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling him that day.
Striped Bass remain the crown jewel of Montauk fishing, and for good reason. These powerful fish show up in spring and stick around through fall, with the best action often happening during the famous fall migration. You'll find them ranging from schoolies perfect for beginners to trophy fish that'll test your drag and your patience. They're aggressive fighters that make long runs and jump when hooked, giving every angler a memorable battle. Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the perfect target for mixed-bag trips. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying in wait on sandy bottoms before ambushing baitfish. The bigger ones, called "doormats," can stretch over 20 inches and provide excellent table fare. Peak season runs from May through September, with the largest fish typically caught in deeper water during summer months. Bluefish bring pure aggression to your fishing day. These voracious predators travel in schools and feed with reckless abandon, often creating feeding frenzies that get every angler's heart pumping. They hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up until they're in the boat. While they're around most of the warm months, late summer often provides the most consistent action. Black Sea Bass have become increasingly popular as populations have recovered. These bottom dwellers love structure and fight with surprising strength for their size. They're curious fish that often travel in groups, meaning once you find them, you can usually catch several before they wise up. The best fishing typically happens from May through October around rocky areas and wrecks. Scup, also known as porgies, might be smaller than the other species, but they make up for it with numbers and fight. These feisty fish are perfect for kids and beginners, providing fast action and teaching basic bottom fishing techniques. They're excellent eating and available from spring through fall, with the largest fish showing up during summer months.
Captain Mario's inshore trips offer everything that makes Montauk fishing special without the expense and time commitment of offshore adventures. You'll experience the variety of species that made this area famous, learn from a captain who's dedicated his career to these waters, and hopefully head home with a cooler full of fresh fish. The flexible scheduling and reasonable group size mean you can plan the perfect day for your crew, whether that's die-hard anglers or a mixed group looking for fun on the water. Don't wait too long to secure your dates - the best fishing happens fast around here, and spots fill up quickly during prime season.
Hit the productive waters around Montauk aboard this well-equipped 6-passenger motorboat with Captain Mario at the helm. The vessel comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate those striped bass schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus VHF radio to stay connected. You'll have air conditioning to beat the summer heat and onboard facilities for all-day comfort. Captain Mario knows exactly where the fluke are holding and which spots produce the best porgies and bluefish action. Whether you're targeting trophy stripers or filling the cooler with quality eating fish like rockfish, this setup gets you on the water with confidence. The boat handles Montauk's inshore waters smoothly, giving you stable casting platforms and room for up to 6 anglers to work the rails comfortably.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that hang around wrecks, rocky bottom, and structure in 20-120 feet of water. Most run 2-4 pounds, but the bigger males can hit 6-8 pounds and develop that distinctive blue coloration during spawning season. They're available from late spring through fall, with summer being prime time when they gather near shore around our local wrecks and jetties. Guests love them because they put up a solid scrap all the way to the boat and make some of the best eating you'll find - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: once you find one sea bass, work that spot thoroughly with jigs or bait rigs because they school up tight and where there's one, there's usually a dozen more waiting below.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that show up in Montauk waters from June through October, typically weighing 3-15 pounds with some reaching 20+. These voracious predators have razor-sharp teeth and will attack schools of baitfish in shallow water, creating those famous "bluefish blitzes" that churn the surface like a washing machine. You'll find them around structure, in the surf, and following bait schools throughout our local waters. What makes them popular with guests is their aggressive strike and strong initial fight, plus they're excellent eating when prepared fresh - the smaller ones have milder, flaky meat. My tip: use wire leaders or they'll bite through your line, and don't be afraid to cast right into the middle of a feeding frenzy.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies as most folks call them, are scrappy little fighters that show up in big numbers from May through October around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom. They typically run 8-14 inches and 1-2 pounds, but don't let their size fool you - they fight hard for their weight and have sharp spines that'll get your attention. You'll find them in 15-80 feet of water, often mixed in with sea bass around the same structure. Guests enjoy them because they're easy to catch, great for kids and beginners, and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. They're also fantastic live bait for stripers and other gamefish. Here's the deal with porgies: use small hooks and light tackle with clam, squid, or worm baits fished right on bottom. Once you find a school, you can fill the cooler quickly since they travel in large groups.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing - these silver-sided fighters with distinctive black stripes can range from schoolie size around 20 inches up to trophy fish over 40 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocks, rips, and drop-offs where current brings baitfish. Peak action runs from April through November, with fall migration providing some of the most exciting fishing when they're feeding heavily before heading south. What makes stripers so popular is their combination of size, fight, and table quality - they're strong swimmers that make long runs and great eating when kept within regulations. The key here in Montauk is fishing the rips and boulder fields on moving water. My go-to advice: match your bait to what they're feeding on, whether that's bunker, sand eels, or squid, and don't be afraid to fish big baits for big fish.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke as we call them here, are masters of camouflage that lie flat on sandy bottom waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, though doormat-sized ones can reach 8+ pounds and really get your attention. You'll find them on sand and mud bottom from shallow bays to 60-foot depths, especially around edges and drop-offs where current brings baitfish. Peak season runs May through September when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What guests love is the challenge - fluke can be finicky biters, but when you hook a big one, that initial run and head-shaking fight is memorable. They're also primo table fare with delicate, white meat. Pro tip: use a slow, steady retrieve with bucktails or drift live killies just off bottom - fluke often follow before striking, so patience pays off.
Syosset, NY