UTERBluefish fishing in Long Island Sound and Montauk
In Long Island Sound and Montauk, bluefish peak June–October and are around May–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. September: Snapper blues in every harbor; big blues at Montauk under the birds.
The fall run builds; tog season reopens. Stripers and blues on sand eels off Montauk and along the south shore; tog season opens on the Sound rocks (dates differ Sound vs Bight); bluefin close to the beaches some years.
Bluefish in Long Island Sound and Montauk, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArrivingChoppers flood the south shore inlets and Peconic.
- JunePeakMontauk and the Race light up; fluke in the inlets. Eels at night on the Montauk rips; drift the south shore inlets and Peconic for fluke; chum for makos (release) and threshers off the south shore.
- JulyPeakFluke, porgies and sea bass; bluefin off Montauk. Hi-lo rigs and clam for porgies and sea bass on the Sound rock piles; bluefin on the sand eels south of Montauk; makos and blues on the chum.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeakSnapper blues in every harbor; big blues at Montauk under the birds.
- OctoberPeakThe fall run builds; tog season reopens. Stripers and blues on sand eels off Montauk and along the south shore; tog season opens on the Sound rocks (dates differ Sound vs Bight); bluefin close to the beaches some years.
- NovemberLeavingThe Montauk blitz; big blackfish. Birds and bass at the Point and along the south shore beaches; green crabs on the Sound rock piles and the Montauk boulders for tog.
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish bluefish near Sheepshead Bay, Freeport, Captree
New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and the lower Hudson; Long Island's south shore surf and inlets backed by Great South Bay and the Moriches and Shinnecock bays; the Peconic and Gardiners bays between the forks; Montauk Point's boulder fields and rips; and Long Island Sound — rocky reefs, harbors and the Connecticut river mouths on the north side, the Race at the east end. Offshore to the Hudson and Block canyons.
What to use for bluefish
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Sand eelsFree-lined or on a light jig head for stripers, fluke and bluefish; strips teased on a fluke rig.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 58–80°F water, best at 62–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bluefish in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Peak season is June–October. Bluefish are in Long Island Sound and Montauk May–November. September: Snapper blues in every harbor; big blues at Montauk under the birds.
Where do bluefish hold in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Look on pass / inlet, beach / surf, fishing pier, channel edge — around Sheepshead Bay, Freeport, Captree, Port Jefferson, Montauk, Orient.
What is the best bait for bluefish in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Live bait: finger mullet, pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), sand eels. Finger mullet: Lip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
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