Montauk is where Long Island runs out of land and the Atlantic takes over. Tuna grounds a day’s steam away. Canyons within range. A fall striper blitz in the rips. This port does not do half-measures.
The Run
Block Island sits about 14 miles from Montauk, and it anchors the nearshore tuna map. The “south of Block” grounds span roughly 10 to 30 nautical miles south of the island and about 25 miles across: Butterfish Hole to the northwest, the Gully to the northeast, the Horns to the southwest, and Tuna Ridge, the Suffolk wreck and the Dump to the southeast. Dense sand eels draw bluefin, yellowfin, mahi and marine mammals in summer and fall. This is where 19- to 24-foot boats get a real shot at tuna.
Push farther and the canyons open up. Block Canyon, the Fishtails, sits about 70 miles south of Montauk Point. When Gulf Stream water rolls in, it holds yellowfin, bigeye, mahi and marlin. Atlantis Canyon is a longer push at roughly 100 to 115 nautical miles.
What Bites, When
June opens with bluefin. They usually show first on the nearshore grounds.
July hands the stage to yellowfin. Late June through September is the most consistent canyon yellowfin window, and mahi build from July.
August brings bigeye into the conversation. Their peak runs August through October, much of it on night drifts. Wahoo turn up when warm blue water pushes onto the shelf from mid-summer into early fall.
September and early October flip two switches at once. Bluefin come on stronger offshore. Inshore, the fall run erupts: striped bass and false albacore pour through Montauk’s rips in September and October.
How to Fish It
Bluefin south of Block get hit every way that works: trolling, jigging, popping and bait. Read the canyon run guide for SST intel and spread setup. When a big fish eats, the bump-and-wind standup method is how you win without a chair.
Canyon yellowfin respond to a chunk slick once you find them. Our chunking guide covers the slick and the drift. Mahi hang around floating debris and weed lines: keep a pitch bait ready.
Pack for This Port
Running your own boat offshore? Build from the blue-water trolling starter kit. On a charter, grab the charter day kit. Bring jigs for marked fish, quality braid, and offshore safety gear from the PFDs and safety roundup.
Before You Go
New York requires free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry enrollment for anglers 16 and up targeting many species. Current size, season and possession limits live on the NYSDEC regulations page. Tunas, sharks, billfish and swordfish need a NOAA Highly Migratory Species vessel permit, and bluefin has its own in-season rules on the NOAA bluefin status page. Not legal advice.
Montauk weather turns fast. Plan fuel with a reserve, check the marine forecast, and come home when it says to.
