Montauk Inshore Fishing with Captain Mario
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Striped Bass, Fluke, Porgies, Bluefish, and Rockfish inshoreCaptain Mario guides guests to Montauk's prime fishing spotsAccommodates up to 6 guests with flexible scheduling options
Looking for a solid day of fishing without the long boat ride to the deep water? Captain Mario's Montauk inshore trips are exactly what you need. You'll be targeting some of the East End's most popular species right in the productive waters close to shore. With room for up to 6 anglers, this is perfect for families, friends, or anyone who wants to experience Montauk's legendary fishing without dealing with rough seas or seasickness. Captain Mario knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're after that trophy striper or looking to fill the cooler with dinner.
Captain Mario runs a no-nonsense operation that focuses on putting fish in the boat. You'll be fishing the protected bays, harbor areas, and near-shore structure that Montauk is famous for. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're working the bottom for fluke and sea bass, the next you're casting topwater plugs for bluefish or trolling for stripers along the rips. The boat stays within comfortable range of shore, so even if you're prone to getting queasy, you'll be fine. Captain Mario's got the flexibility to adjust your start time by up to 2 hours, which is great for working around tides, weather, or just sleeping in after a long night. The guy knows when the fish are biting and he'll make sure you're there when it happens.
Captain Mario switches up techniques based on what's biting and what you want to target. For stripers, you'll be working with live eels, chunk bait, or lures depending on the season and conditions. Fluke fishing means bouncing bucktails with squid or spearing along the sandy bottom, while the sea bass and porgies love cut bait fished right on structure. When the blues are running, get ready for some fast action on topwater plugs or metal jigs. All tackle and bait are provided, but if you've got lucky lures or favorite rods, feel free to bring them along. The captain's got quality gear that can handle anything from delicate porgy fishing to battling a cow striper, and he'll set you up with exactly what you need for the conditions. Circle hooks are the standard for most bottom fishing to help with catch and release, and Mario will walk you through proper technique if you're not familiar.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing, and for good reason. These fish can range from schoolie size around 18-24 inches up to true cows pushing 40+ pounds. Spring and fall are prime time when the bass are migrating through, but you can find keeper fish throughout the summer around structure and bait schools. What makes stripers so special is their fight – they'll make long runs, jump, and test your drag like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent eating when prepared right, though many anglers release the big breeders to keep the fishery healthy.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the butter fish of the inshore scene. These flatfish can grow surprisingly large, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds not uncommon in Montauk's waters. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand waiting for bait to swim by, which makes for exciting fishing when you feel that distinctive tap-tap-thump on your line. Fluke season typically runs May through September, with the bigger fish showing up in mid to late summer. They're hands-down one of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for everything from fish tacos to a classic shore dinner.
Bluefish might not win beauty contests, but they make up for it with pure attitude and fight. These aggressive predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They hit hard, fight dirty, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you need wire leaders or they'll bite through your line. Blues are perfect for anglers who want constant action – when they're feeding, you can literally catch one on every cast. The smaller "snapper" blues are great for kids, while the larger "chopper" blues will give experienced anglers a real workout. Fresh bluefish, when bled and iced immediately, is actually delicious despite what some people say.
Black Sea Bass are the workhorses of the bottom fishing scene. These chunky, hard-fighting fish love structure and will test your tackle with their powerful runs toward the rocks. They're incredibly abundant around Montauk's rocky bottom and wrecks, making them a reliable target when other species are finicky. Sea bass have excellent table quality with firm, white meat that holds up well to any cooking method. The regulations change yearly, so Captain Mario stays on top of size limits and seasons to keep everything legal. These fish are also great for teaching proper bottom fishing technique since they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size.
Scup, also called porgies, might be small but they're mighty when it comes to action and flavor. These fish travel in huge schools and provide non-stop fishing when you locate them. They're perfect for kids or anyone who just wants to bend a rod constantly. Porgies are excellent bait stealers, so you'll learn to detect subtle bites and set the hook quickly. Despite their small size, they're fantastic eating with sweet, delicate meat. Many experienced anglers target porgies specifically for the dinner table, and a cooler full of these fish means you'll be eating well for weeks.
Captain Mario's Montauk inshore trips offer the perfect balance of action, comfort, and variety that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target trophy stripers or a family wanting to introduce kids to the sport, this trip delivers. The flexibility
Captain Mario's well-equipped motorboat puts you right in the action for Montauk's legendary inshore fishing. This 6-person vessel comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate those hiding stripers, GPS to hit the productive spots, and radar for when the fog rolls in. The VHF radio keeps you connected while you're working the waters for fluke, porgies, bluefish, and rockfish. Air conditioning provides relief between fishing sessions, and the onboard facilities mean you can stay out longer chasing that perfect catch. With Mario's local knowledge guiding you to the best fishing grounds, this boat delivers the comfort and technology to make your Montauk fishing trip productive. Whether you're after trophy striped bass or filling the cooler with dinner, this setup gives you the edge on these famous Long Island waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of our most reliable bottom fish, typically weighing 1-4 pounds with some reaching 6-8 pounds around deeper structure. These chunky, dark-colored fish love hanging around wrecks, rock piles, and jetties in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. They're scrappy fighters that'll give you a good tug before coming to the boat, and they make outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. The males develop that distinctive blue coloration and forehead hump during spawning season. Here's a local trick: once you find one sea bass, there's usually more in the area. Work that spot thoroughly with squid or clam strips on a two-hook rig.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters that show up here from late spring through fall, usually running 2-8 pounds with some bigger ones mixed in. These silver-sided predators have razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match - they'll hit just about anything when they're feeding. You'll find them hunting in schools around bait pods, often creating those famous "bluefish blitzes" where the water churns like a washing machine. They love structure like jetties and drop-offs, plus they're excellent table fare when kept fresh on ice. The key with blues is using a wire leader - those teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. When you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there fast because the action can be red-hot but short-lived.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgies as most folks call them, are small but scrappy bottom fish that usually run 8-14 inches and make up for size with numbers and taste. These silvery, deep-bodied fish hang around rocky areas, wrecks, and pilings where they use their strong jaws to crush shellfish. May through October is when they're abundant in our shallow waters before heading offshore for winter. Kids love catching them because they bite readily and fight hard for their size, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, firm meat that's perfect pan-fried. We target them with light tackle using squid, clams, or marine worms on small hooks. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep your bait right there because porgies school up tight and you can often catch a dozen from the same spot.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of our fishery here - these silver-sided bruisers with their distinctive black stripes can range from schoolies around 20 inches up to cows pushing 40-50 pounds. You'll find them around structure like rocks, jetties, and drop-offs, often feeding in the surf or near baitfish schools. Spring and fall migration periods are peak times, but we catch them year-round in different areas. They're powerful fighters that'll test your drag, plus they're fantastic eating when handled properly. These fish are smart and can be selective, so we match the bait to what they're feeding on - live eels, bunker, or plugs depending on conditions. Key tip: fish the moving water during tide changes, especially dawn and dusk when they're most active.
Paralichthys DentatusFluke are the flatfish everyone wants to catch around here, averaging 15-20 inches with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 5-10 pounds. These "chameleons of the sea" lie buried in sand waiting to ambush baitfish, so you'll find them on sandy bottoms near structure in 15-60 feet. May through October is prime season, with the bigger fish often holding in deeper water during summer. They're fun to catch because they fight hard and make excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Fluke can be picky, so we'll drift with live or fresh bait like squid, spearing, or killies. My go-to tip: use a long leader and let the bait drift naturally - keep that sinker just ticking bottom as we drift.
Syosset, NY