Montauk Magic Hour: 4-Hour Striped Bass Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Striped Bass on a 4hour inshore fishing adventureAll gear, bait, and fishing license included with experienced mateSmall group experience with maximum 6 guests aboard
When the sun starts to dip and the wind dies down, that's when Montauk really comes alive. The Magic Hour trip with Moondance Charters puts you right in the heart of some of the East Coast's best striped bass fishing. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about hitting the water when conditions are prime and the fish are hungry. You'll spend four solid hours working the legendary Montauk waters, where trophy stripers cruise the rips and sandy bottoms looking for their next meal. With everything included and a seasoned crew backing you up, this trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are after.
This charter runs when the bite is hottest – usually late afternoon into evening when striped bass move shallow to feed. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll position you over structure, drop-offs, and current breaks where big bass like to ambush baitfish. The boat carries up to six anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or competing with a crowd. Your first mate will be rigging lines, netting fish, and keeping you on the bite from start to finish. The whole setup is designed to maximize your time with a rod in your hands rather than messing around with gear. You'll cover different spots throughout the trip – maybe start on a rocky point, work some deeper water, then finish up in the shallows as the light fades.
Moondance comes loaded with quality rods and reels that can handle anything from schoolie bass to 40-pound cows. The tackle box includes everything from bucktails and soft plastics to topwater plugs and live eels when available. Depending on conditions, you might be casting lures to breaking fish, drifting live bunker, or working the bottom with chunks. The crew will match your setup to what's working that day – maybe light spinning gear if the fish are finicky, or heavier conventional tackle when you're throwing big baits for big fish. They keep multiple rod setups ready so you can switch tactics quickly when the bite changes. Your fishing license is covered, which saves you the hassle of buying a short-term permit. The first mate stays busy keeping everyone's lines in the water and helping land fish when things get busy.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Montauk fishing, and for good reason. These fish are pure muscle and attitude wrapped in silver scales. They'll hit hard, run deep, and fight every inch of the way to the boat. Montauk stripers range from schoolies around 18-24 inches up to genuine trophies pushing 40-50 pounds. The bigger fish show up consistently from late spring through fall, with some of the best action happening during those magic hour windows when baitfish move shallow. What makes striped bass so special is their unpredictability – one minute you're dealing with aggressive surface feeds, the next they're hugging bottom structure and you need to completely change your approach. They're also incredibly smart fish that can shut down fast if they sense something's not right. When you hook into a quality striper in Montauk's current and structure, you'll understand why anglers travel from all over the country just for a shot at these fish. The combination of size, fight, and the challenge of figuring them out keeps people coming back season after season.
Four hours of prime-time fishing with everything included – that's hard to beat. Moondance Charters has built their reputation on putting anglers on fish when it matters most. The Magic Hour timing means you're fishing when striped bass are most active, not just when it's convenient. With only six spots available and Montauk's reputation for world-class striper fishing, these trips fill up fast during peak season. The all-inclusive setup means you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear, licenses, or whether you brought the right tackle. Whether you're a seasoned striper hunter looking to add to your count or someone who wants to experience what Montauk fishing is all about, this trip delivers the goods. Book early and get ready to see why Montauk has earned its place as the striped bass capital of the world.
Your fishing platform for this Montauk magic hour adventure is a well-equipped sportfishing boat designed for serious striped bass hunting. The 6-person vessel features a flybridge for elevated fishing positions and spotting fish activity across the inshore waters. Below deck, you'll find air conditioning to cool off between fights, plus a full kitchen and head for longer sessions on the water. The fish finder will help locate those bass holding spots, while GPS keeps you on productive grounds. Ice box and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. VHF radio maintains contact with other boats sharing intel, and radar cuts through any evening haze. With multimedia system for downtime and all fishing gear provided including rods, reels, tackle, and both live and artificial baits, you're set for productive striped bass fishing during those prime evening hours when the big ones feed.
Montauk, NY