UTERWinter flounder fishing in Long Island Sound and Montauk
In Long Island Sound and Montauk, winter flounder peak February–May and are around November–June, spawning in February–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: Winter flounder spawn in the harbors and bays.
Not in Long Island Sound and Montauk this month.
Winter flounder in Long Island Sound and Montauk, month by month
- JanuaryAroundHoldover stripers in the rivers; winter cod off Montauk. Slow plastics in the Hudson, the Harlem and the Connecticut River for holdovers; Montauk party boats to the wrecks for cod when the weather allows.
- FebruarySpawningWinter flounder spawn in the harbors and bays.
- MarchSpawningFirst stripers stir; mackerel and cod. Warm afternoons in the back-bay creeks for schoolies; spring mackerel off Montauk if the run comes.
- AprilPeakThe spring flatfish season — Shinnecock, Moriches, the north shore harbors; NY's season is short, check NYSDEC.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAroundThe tail of the run on the south shore; tog to the end. Last stripers on the south shore beaches; tog until the season closes; winter cod trips start.
Where to fish winter flounder 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 winter flounder
- BloodwormsA piece threaded on a #2 to 2/0 hook on a hi-lo or fish-finder rig — the striper, spot, croaker and white perch bait of the Chesapeake and the surf.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 38–64°F water, best at 44–58°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch winter flounder in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Peak season is February–May, with fish spawning in February–March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Winter flounder are in Long Island Sound and Montauk November–June. February: Winter flounder spawn in the harbors and bays.
Where do winter flounder hold in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Look on channel edge, grass flat, dock / pilings, fishing pier — around Sheepshead Bay, Freeport, Captree, Port Jefferson, Montauk, Orient.
What is the best bait for winter flounder in Long Island Sound and Montauk?
Live bait: bloodworms. Bloodworms: A piece threaded on a #2 to 2/0 hook on a hi-lo or fish-finder rig — the striper, spot, croaker and white perch bait of the Chesapeake and the surf. 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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