Full Day Montauk Fishing with Captain Mark
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday fishing charter targeting flounder, bass, and bluefishCaptain Mark Assogna guides up to 6 guests inshoreEighthour Montauk expedition with coastal views included
Get ready for a full 8-hour fishing adventure with Captain Mark Assogna, one of Montauk's most experienced charter captains. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper day on the water where you'll have time to really dial in on multiple species and techniques. Montauk Point sits at the eastern tip of Long Island where the currents, structure, and baitfish create some of the most consistent fishing on the East Coast. Captain Mark knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with room for up to 6 anglers, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between just fishing and actually catching fish.
Captain Mark runs a clean, well-equipped charter that's built for serious fishing. You'll launch from Montauk Harbor and head out to his proven spots based on the day's conditions – could be the rocky bottom areas for sea bass, the sandy flats for fluke, or the rips and points where stripers and blues hunt. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility. If the fluke bite is slow in the morning, we can switch gears and chase stripers in the afternoon. Captain Mark keeps multiple rod setups ready so you can adapt to whatever's biting. The boat's equipped with quality fishfinders and GPS, plus he's got the local knowledge that only comes from years of running these same waters. Don't worry about bringing anything – all tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included.
Depending on what we're targeting, you'll get to try different fishing methods throughout the day. For fluke, we'll be drifting with bucktails tipped with squid or spearing, bouncing along the bottom while watching for that distinctive doormat bite. Sea bass fishing means dropping rigs with multiple hooks down to rocky structure – these fish are aggressive and you'll often get doubles. When we're after stripers, Captain Mark might have you casting topwater plugs at first light, or we could be live-lining bunker around structure. Bluefish are the opportunists of Montauk waters – they'll hit everything from metal jigs to chunk baits, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. The captain provides all the gear, but if you've got your own favorite rods, feel free to bring them along.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing, and for good reason. These fish can range from schoolie size up to 40-plus pound cows, and they're smart fighters that'll test your drag and your patience. Peak season runs from May through October, with the best action often happening during the spring and fall migrations. What makes stripers special is their unpredictability – one minute you're casting to breaking fish on the surface, the next you're deep-jigging structure. They're also excellent table fare when kept within regulations.
Summer flounder, or fluke as locals call them, are the flatfish that turn every drift into a treasure hunt. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. A keeper fluke in New York waters needs to be at least 19 inches, but the real prizes are the "doormat" fluke over 5 pounds. They're most active from May through September, with peak action in mid-summer. The bite can be subtle – often feeling like you're just dragging bottom until you set the hook and feel that distinctive head shake.
Black sea bass are the bread-and-butter fish around Montauk's rocky structure. These scrappy fighters punch well above their weight class, and a good-sized sea bass will make multiple runs for the rocks. They're typically found in 20-80 feet of water around wrecks, reefs, and boulder fields. The current New York minimum size is 15 inches, and a 3-4 pound sea bass makes excellent eating. Peak season runs from June through October, with some of the best fishing happening in late summer when the water temps are perfect.
Bluefish are the aggressive predators that can turn a slow day into fast action in minutes. These toothy customers hit hard and fight dirty, often jumping and making blazing runs. Montauk blues typically range from 2-10 pounds, with the occasional larger fish mixed in. They're most abundant from late spring through early fall, often feeding in massive schools that create surface chaos. While they're not the prettiest fish, fresh bluefish that's bled and iced properly is actually quite good eating, despite what some people say.
An 8-hour trip with Captain Mark gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Montauk has to offer. You're not rushed, you can target multiple species, and you'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler on future trips. The charter runs year-round with seasonal adjustments, but the prime time is definitely May through October when all four target species are most active. Spots fill up fast during peak season, especially weekends, so don't wait if you see an open date that works. Captain Mark's reputation speaks for itself – this is the kind of fishing trip that reminds you why you love being on the water in the first place.
Step aboard our classic 36-foot Beal Cabin Cruiser and get ready to chase some serious fish in Montauk waters. This Downeast beauty packs a 600HP Cat engine that'll get you to the hot spots at 18 knots, while the spacious layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers. Whether you're after stripers hugging the structure or bass holding deep, you'll stay comfortable with onboard AC, a full galley, and even a head for those long 8-hour days on the water. The GPS and radar keep us on the fish even when conditions get tricky, while the refrigerator keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. Captain Mark knows these waters like the back of his hand, putting you on flounder, black sea bass, striped bass, and blues that call Montauk home. This boat's built for serious fishing - sturdy enough to handle the Atlantic swells but smooth enough to keep you casting all day long.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that typically run 1-4 pounds, though we see some nice 6-8 pounders around deeper structure. These dark, mottled fish love rocky bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What makes them special is their scrappy fight - they'll use every rock and crevice to try breaking you off. Plus, they're hands-down one of the best eating fish we target, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them stacked up around structure, so once you locate a productive spot, you can often fill the cooler. My go-to technique is bouncing jigs or dropping squid and clam strips right on bottom - keep your bait tight to structure since these fish don't roam far to feed.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that show up in Montauk waters from late spring through fall, typically running 2-10 pounds with some larger fish pushing 15+. These silvery-blue predators have razor-sharp teeth and a serious appetite - they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. You'll find them feeding in schools around baitfish, often creating surface commotion that's easy to spot. They love structure like reefs and drop-offs but also cruise open water chasing bunker and spearing. The bite really turns on during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk. Blues make excellent table fare when bled and iced immediately - the meat's rich but not overly fishy. Pro tip: use wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon because those teeth will slice through regular mono in seconds. When you hook into a school, work fast since they move quickly.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our local fishing, ranging from schoolie size up to trophy fish over 40 pounds. These silver-sided fighters migrate through Montauk waters from April through December, with peak action during spring and fall runs. You'll find them around rocky structure, rips, and bait schools - they're always following the food. What makes stripers special is their power and intelligence. They can be selective feeders, making each fish earned feel like a real victory. The meat quality is outstanding too, especially on fish under 28 inches. During migration periods, we see massive schools moving through, creating some of the most exciting fishing on the East Coast. My local tip: watch for working birds and bait dimpling the surface - stripers are usually feeding underneath. Match your lure to the baitfish size and you'll connect more consistently.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are flatfish that can really surprise you with their size - most run 2-5 pounds but doormat fluke over 8 pounds show up regularly. These camouflaged predators lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush baitfish, which makes them exciting to target. You'll find them on sandy bottoms, channel edges, and around structure in 20-80 feet of water. The best fishing runs from May through October when they're actively feeding inshore. What guests love is the variety - you might catch 15-inchers mixed with genuine trophies on the same drift. Fluke are also fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is keeping your bait moving along bottom with a slow drift - use bucktails tipped with squid, spearing, or killie, and give it subtle jigging action. They often hit on the drop, so stay alert when you're letting line out.
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