UTERShortfin mako fishing in Long Island Sound and Montauk
In Long Island Sound and Montauk, shortfin mako peak June–August and are around June–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Makos on the south shore shark grounds and the Butterfish Hole; release.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Shortfin mako in Long Island Sound and Montauk, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JunePeakMakos on the south shore shark grounds and the Butterfish Hole; release.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish shortfin mako 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 shortfin mako
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.
- Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 60–78°F water, best at 64–72°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch shortfin mako in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Peak season is June–August. Shortfin mako are in Long Island Sound and Montauk June–October. June: Makos on the south shore shark grounds and the Butterfish Hole; release.
Where do shortfin mako hold in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Sheepshead Bay, Freeport, Captree, Port Jefferson, Montauk, Orient.
What is the best bait for shortfin mako in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, cut ladyfish, bonito (cut). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
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