Montauk Inshore Fishing with Moondance Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target stripers and bottom fish at top Montauk spotsFull and half day trips accommodate up to 6 guestsProfessional inshore fishing with Moondance Charters guidance
If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on the East Coast, you've come to the right place. Montauk's waters are legendary among anglers, and for good reason – this spot consistently produces trophy stripers, tasty bottom fish, and everything in between. Our top-rated charters with Moondance put you right in the action, whether you're after that wall-hanger bass or just want to load the cooler with dinner. With both full and half-day trips available for up to 6 anglers, we've got the perfect setup for your crew to get on the fish.
When you step aboard with Moondance Charters, you're getting more than just a boat ride – you're tapping into decades of local knowledge and a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand. We'll hit the prime inshore spots around Montauk Point, from the rocky structure that holds big stripers to the sandy bottoms where fluke love to hang out. The beauty of fishing Montauk's inshore waters is the variety – one minute you might be fighting a screaming bluefish, the next you could be battling a chunky tautog in the rocks. The boat is equipped with quality tackle and all the gear you need, though seasoned anglers are welcome to bring their own rods. We keep things relaxed but focused, making sure everyone gets their shot at the fish while sharing tips and techniques that'll make you a better angler. The group size stays small at just 6 people max, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting forever for your turn at the hot spot.
Montauk inshore fishing is all about adapting to conditions and matching your approach to what the fish want. We'll often start with live bait – bunker, eels, or scup – when we're targeting trophy stripers around structure. The rocky areas demand precise boat handling and strong tackle, since these bass know every hiding spot and will try to cut you off in the boulders. For bottom fishing, we'll anchor up over productive spots and drop high-low rigs with clams, crabs, or squid, depending on what's biting. When the fluke are active, we'll drift the sandy areas with bucktails tipped with gulp or fresh killies, covering water until we find the concentration of fish. Bluefish often call for a more aggressive approach – wire leaders are a must, and we'll switch between chunks, plugs, and metals depending on whether they're feeding on top or down deep. The captain reads the water, watches the electronics, and adjusts tactics throughout the trip to keep you connected to fish. It's this local expertise that separates a good day from a great one out here.
Striped Bass: The king of Montauk waters, stripers are what dreams are made of around here. These fish can range from schoolies in the 20-inch range all the way up to monster cows pushing 40+ pounds. Spring and fall are prime time, when the big girls are migrating and feeding heavily. Stripers are smart, moody fish that can test your patience one minute and bend your rod double the next. They love structure – rocks, rips, and drop-offs where baitfish get confused and easy to ambush. What makes them special is their fight; a big striper will make multiple runs, use the current to her advantage, and test every knot in your rig. Landing a trophy bass in Montauk waters is something every serious angler needs to experience.
Tautog: Don't let their ugly faces fool you – tautog are pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters you'll hook in these waters. These bottom-dwellers love rocky structure and have mouths like can openers, capable of crushing crabs and mussels with ease. Fall is prime tautog season, when they're feeding heavily before winter. They typically run 2-8 pounds, with the occasional doormat pushing double digits. What anglers love about tog fishing is the technique involved – you need to feel the subtle bite, set the hook hard, and then muscle them away from the rocks before they cut you off. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the table, with firm white meat that's perfect for chowder or simply pan-fried.
Summer Flounder (Fluke): Fluke fishing is pure fun, and Montauk's sandy bottoms hold some real doormat-sized fish. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and gravel, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Summer months are peak season, when they're most active and feeding aggressively. What makes fluke fishing addictive is the bite – they'll often grab your bait and run with it, giving you that heart-stopping moment before you set the hook. A good fluke will make several strong runs and shake its head like crazy trying to throw the hook. Fish in the 3-8 pound range are common, with the occasional monster pushing 10+ pounds that'll have everyone on the boat scrambling for the net.
Black Sea Bass: These chunky bottom fish are a customer favorite, especially for anglers who love consistent action and great table fare. Sea bass are opportunistic feeders that love structure and will hit everything from clams to small jigs. They're most active during warmer months and often school up in good numbers. What's fun about sea bass is their aggressive nature – they'll often hit your bait hard and fight surprisingly well for their size. Most fish run 1-4 pounds, and they're absolutely phenomenal eating with flaky white meat that works in any recipe. When the sea bass are biting, you can literally catch them as fast as you can drop your line.
Bluefish: Blues are the ultimate action fish – aggressive, har
This fully-equipped motorboat is built for serious Montauk inshore fishing action. With space for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need to target stripers and bottom fish in local waters. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS and radar keep you on course to the hottest spots. A flybridge gives the captain clear sight lines for working structure and drop-offs where the big bass hang out. Below deck, you'll find air conditioning to beat the summer heat, plus a full kitchen and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The onboard toilet means longer fishing days without heading back to port. VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and hot bite reports. Whether you're after a trophy striper or filling the cooler with fluke and sea bass, this boat handles Montauk's inshore waters with comfort and style.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are the perfect mix of fun fight and great eating. Around Montauk, most run 1-4 pounds with some real doormat females hitting 6+ pounds on the deeper wrecks. They love structure - rocks, wrecks, jetties - anywhere from 30-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they move inshore to spawn. What's cool about sea bass is they start as females and change to males as they grow, with the big males developing that distinctive blue coloration and forehead hump. They put up a solid scrap but tire quickly once they leave the bottom. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality delicious. My go-to setup is a two-hook rig with squid strips, but here's the key: once you feel that first tap, give them a second to really grab it before setting the hook.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression on the end of your line. These razor-toothed predators typically weigh 3-10 pounds around Montauk, though we catch some real choppers pushing 15+ pounds. You'll find them chasing bait schools in open water, around rips, and near structure from late spring through fall. When they're feeding, it's pure chaos - they'll hit anything that moves. The fight is intense and steady, with powerful runs that'll test your drag. Blues are fantastic eating when bled and iced properly, with rich, flaky meat that's perfect on the grill. Best action happens when we locate diving birds working bait schools. Here's the trick: when you hook one, keep it moving toward the boat. If you let them sit and shake their head, those sharp teeth will cut right through your leader.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing. These silver-sided beauties with dark horizontal stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we see plenty of schoolies and the occasional cow over 50 pounds. They love structure, rips, and moving water where baitfish get confused. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. Stripers are incredibly strong fighters with long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and your arms. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and versatile for cooking. They're also smart fish that can be picky about presentations. Around Montauk Point, focus on the rips during tide changes. Use live eels at night or chunk herring during the day. Keep your drag smooth - these fish will find any weakness in your setup.
Paralichthys DentatusFluke are the ultimate ambush predators and one of the best eating fish in our waters. Most run 15-20 inches around Montauk, but we regularly see doormat fluke over 5 pounds, especially on the deeper edges and channels. They bury in sand and mud flats, waiting to ambush baitfish swimming by. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes fluke fishing exciting is you never know when that monster is going to grab your bait. They're also chameleons, changing color to match the bottom perfectly. The meat is sweet, white, and perfect for any recipe. Best technique is drifting with the current using a bucktail and strip bait combo. Keep the rod tip moving slightly - that action triggers strikes from fish that are just following.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are some of the trickiest fighters around Montauk's rocky structure. These chunky, dark-mottled fish typically run 1-3 pounds, though we see some pushing 8+ pounds on the deeper wrecks and boulder fields. They love hanging tight to rocks, jetties, and artificial reefs where they crush crabs and mussels with powerful jaws. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit that sweet spot in late April through August. What makes tautog special is their bulldogging fight - they'll try to wrap you around every piece of structure they can find. The meat is firm, white, and absolutely delicious. Pro tip: use green crabs with legs removed, and be ready to set the hook fast. These guys will steal your bait in a heartbeat if you're not paying attention.
Montauk, NY