Montauk Offshore Fishing: Tuna or Shark
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target tuna and sharks 825 miles offshore from MontaukChoose between trolling for tuna or chumming for sharksAccommodates up to 6 guests with Moondance Charters
Picture this: you're 15 miles out from Montauk Point, the engine cuts to trolling speed, and you've got four lines in the water with the sunrise painting the Atlantic orange. That's what you get with Moondance Charters' top-rated offshore adventure. Whether you're dead set on hooking into a bluefin tuna or want the heart-pounding action of a mako shark on the end of your line, this world-class fishing trip delivers the goods. We'll take you anywhere from 8 to 25 miles offshore depending on where the fish are showing, and trust me - after 20 years guiding these waters, I know where to find them.
Your day starts before dawn at Montauk Harbor, where Captain Mike and his crew have already prepped the boat and checked the latest fish reports. The ride out takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on how far we need to travel, giving you time to rig up and talk strategy. If we're targeting tuna, we'll be trolling spreader bars, cedar plugs, and ballyhoo at 6-8 knots, covering water until we find the birds or mark fish on the sounder. Shark fishing is a different beast entirely - we'll anchor up on structure, deploy a chum slick, and wait for the predators to find us. Both approaches work magic in Montauk's renowned offshore waters, and with only 6 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of rod time. The boat's equipped with Penn and Shimano reels spooled with 50-80 pound test, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need. Just bring your fishing license, drinks, and snacks since meals aren't included on this trip.
When we're after tuna, it's all about covering ground and reading the water. We'll run a spread of six rods - two riggers, two long corners, and two flat lines - each rigged with different lures to see what they want that day. The key is staying flexible; if we're not getting bit on the spreader bars, we might switch to naked ballyhoo or even live bait if we can catch some. Tuna fishing requires patience and attention because when they bite, it happens fast. One second you're scanning the horizon, the next you've got a screaming reel and 200 pounds of fish peeling line. Shark fishing is the complete opposite approach. We'll set up a drift or anchor on a piece of bottom where the current brings our chum slick down through the water column. Fresh bunker, mackerel, and bluefish chunks get the sharks fired up, and we'll fish circle hooks on wire leaders with chunks or whole baits. The waiting game can test your nerves, but when a mako comes up behind the boat and crushes your bait, you'll understand why shark fishing has such a cult following.
Yellowfin tuna are the bread and butter of Montauk's offshore scene, typically running 40-80 pounds with the occasional cow pushing 100. These fish show up consistently from June through October, with peak action in August and September when water temps hit that sweet spot around 70-72 degrees. What makes yellowfin special is their pure speed and stamina - they'll make multiple long runs and test every knot in your rig. Plus, they're absolutely incredible on the dinner table.
Bluefin tuna are the holy grail for most anglers, and Montauk's been producing some monster fish the past few seasons. We're talking fish from 30-pound schoolies all the way up to giants over 200 pounds. Bluefin are notorious for being finicky eaters, which makes landing one even more satisfying. They'll show up anywhere from June through November, with the bigger fish typically arriving in fall. The fight is legendary - these fish can pull drag for 45 minutes straight and have been known to spool entire reels.
Shortfin mako sharks are hands down the most exciting shark species we target here. These fish average 80-150 pounds but can exceed 300, and they're famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. Makos are active from May through October in our waters, preferring water temps above 60 degrees. They're built for speed - capable of hitting 40 mph - and their razor-sharp teeth can cut through wire if you're not careful with your leader setup.
Blue sharks are the most common shark we encounter, typically running 50-100 pounds with occasional specimens hitting 200. They're present from spring through fall and respond well to a good chum slick. Don't let their abundance fool you - blues are strong fighters that make long runs and can wear you out on lighter tackle. They're also beautiful fish with that distinctive cobalt blue coloration.
Thresher sharks are the wildcard species, known for their incredibly long tail that can equal the length of their body. These fish average 100-200 pounds and put up a unique fight, often jumping and tail-slapping the surface. Threshers are less common than blues but show up consistently in late summer and fall. They're ambush predators that use that massive tail to stun baitfish, making them one of the most interesting sharks to observe and catch.
Montauk's offshore fishing scene is world-class for good reason - we've got the right mix of structure, current, and baitfish that attracts both tuna and sharks season after season. This customer favorite trip with Moondance Charters puts you in the middle of it all with an experienced crew who knows these waters inside and out. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your personal best or new to offshore fishing and want to experience what the hype is about, this trip delivers the goods. The boat's
Get ready to chase tuna and sharks aboard this fully-loaded offshore machine! This 6-person motorboat comes packed with everything serious anglers need - from fish finders to locate your targets to a complete kitchen and A/C to keep you comfortable during those long fights. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility while trolling 8-25 miles out, and with radar and GPS, you'll navigate Montauk's waters like a pro. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard refrigerator and ice box. Whether you're targeting tuna running closer to shore or chumming for sharks in deeper water, this boat handles it all. VHF radio keeps you connected, and the onboard head means no cutting trips short. Perfect setup for serious offshore fishing where the big ones bite.
Prionace GlaucaBlue sharks are some of the most beautiful fish in the ocean with that deep blue coloration fading to white underneath. They typically run 7-10 feet and 60-200 pounds, with females getting bigger than males. You'll find them in deeper water, usually around 1,000+ feet, where they hunt squid and small fish. We see them most consistently from late spring through fall when water temps are in the 60s. What makes blues appealing is their curious nature and willingness to come to a chum slick - they're probably the most reliable shark we target. They put up a decent scrap and are perfect for first-time shark anglers. Here's the key: keep your chum line going steady with ground mackerel and herring, and fish your baits at least 50 feet back from the boat. Blues will investigate the boat, but you want them focused on the bait, not your hull.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the kings of the tuna world - these fish average 6 feet and 300-500 pounds, but giants over 800 are caught every season. They're warm-blooded, so they can handle our cooler waters and dive deep when fighting. We find them from the surface down to several hundred feet, often around temperature breaks and bait schools. Peak season runs May through November, with fall being especially productive. What draws people to bluefin is the combination of sheer power and incredible table fare - this is the fish that sells for thousands at Tokyo's fish markets. They're tough fighters that'll take you for long runs and deep dives. My advice: when trolling, don't overlook small baits like herring. These fish can be surprisingly picky, and sometimes downsizing your presentation makes all the difference.
Isurus OxyrinchusThese sharks are the speed demons of the ocean, hitting 30+ mph and capable of 20-foot leaps when hooked. Most run 6-10 feet and 130-300 pounds around Montauk. We find them in open water from surface down to 400 feet, often cruising near the thermocline. They're aggressive hunters that'll hit just about anything - bluefish, squid, or trolled baits work great. Summer through fall gives us the best action when water temps are right. What makes makos special is their raw power and acrobatics - they'll test every inch of your drag and put on a show. Pro tip: when chumming, use a mix of ground mackerel and keep your boat positioned so the slick drifts away from you. These guys are smart and will use your hull to break the line if you're not careful.
Alopias VulpinusThresher sharks are instantly recognizable by that massive tail that's as long as their body - they use it like a whip to stun baitfish at speeds around 50 mph. Most threshers we see run 12-16 feet and 300-500 pounds. They prefer the edge of the continental shelf, usually 25-40 miles out in 100-2000 feet of water. Late spring through fall gives us our best shot when water temps hit 60-70 degrees. What makes threshers special is that tail - watching one leap and tail-whip is something you'll never forget. They're powerful fighters that make long runs and have a habit of jumping. Despite their size, they have surprisingly small mouths, so we use 8/0 hooks with whole mackerel or large sardines. Pro tip: fish your baits 25-50 feet down on a drift - that's where they're hunting, and it keeps you out of the way when they start tail-slapping.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built like torpedoes and can hit 50 mph when they want to. Around here, most run 30-80 pounds, though we occasionally see fish pushing 100+. They cruise the upper water column, usually within the top 100 feet, and love hanging around temperature breaks and current edges. The bite really picks up from July through October when the water's warm. People target them for two reasons - they fight like freight trains with those long, powerful runs, and the meat is absolutely top-shelf for sushi or grilling. We catch them trolling rigged ballyhoo or chunking with herring when they get finicky. Here's a local trick: when you mark fish deep but nothing's hitting on the troll, switch to vertical jigging. Sometimes they just won't come up to chase.
Montauk, NY