Help with a Fall Montauk Trip

[Ray]

Myself and few other guys from Mass are planning a trip to Montauk for the famous fall run fishing. This will probably be a short trip, maybe just a couple night. I have a few questions I was hoping I could get some help with. Of course were not looking for those secret spots, or to do anything that would upset the locals. I'd be happy to trade some info for my waters. This group would probably bring our kayaks, possible a CC, and fishing pretty hard with everything except bait.

1. When is the typical prime time (I know, varies each season)
2. What may be a good location to stay and fish from (we may be camping or crashing at a cheap motel) traveling around to follow or find fish is ecpected

I don't know the area at all. We may take the ferry from CT to reduce the travel.

Thanks everyone,

Ray

[Tuna]

Prime Time varies a bit by target species.

Generally, the bass and blues stay longer than the false albacore.

If you want the albie run, last 2 weeks of Sept to first 2 weeks of October is best. Last year they didn't show until end of Sept, but that was unusual.

If what you want is bass, all of October is a good bet. Sometimes there is a herring run later, but that's hit or miss.

Location - you can probably get better feedback from others, but a non fishing buddy of mine likes to camp at Hither Hills. Its an area from which, with a bit of travel, you could hit the south shore, the Point, or the other side (Shag, or Gardiners if you are willing to paddle a lot).

[Ray]

Great. Thanks so much.

I figure we have all summer to pull this one together. Which means we will wait until mid September before we get anything done!!

[danny]

hey ray... i fished out there for a week in september and a week in october, last year. the fishing for the most part was good. caught lots of bluefish and stripers, but nothing over 10 or 12 #. when the weather was good, and the wind was down, there were fish to be caught. i was fly fishing, wading. hotels can be had for about $50 a night, i found one or two for like $35, but it wasn't easy. the later in the fall it got, the cheaper. the bakery in town is great, i forget the name, it's in the little circle on the ocean side... and the surf casting guys were cool, not jerks like everyone says. they were ok to me. the point is crowded as hell, but if you walk around, or kayak (be careful!), you'll wind up with water all to yourself. i would also keep track of the regs at places like hither hills; it was closed after sunset last year cause of west nile mosquitos. good luck.

[nyflyfishing]

That time of year the motels are starting to drop their prices so you could probably find a good deal. But as mentioned above there is the Hither Hills Camp Ground. Great place and that would be my choice. Its right on the ocean, very clean and nice hot showers. And anytime around October is good.

[joshr]

Just to add a bit to what Tuna said about timing: right around the new moons in Sept and Oct is a good bet assuming other weather conditions cooperate. And for bass, just after the full moon in Oct. can be great.

In general, though, just as Tuna said: most years albies arrive in earnest just after Labor Day (there are always a few here and there before that, but they usually break open a few days after LD) and stay till late Oct. (some years into the first few days of Nov). Last year, they showed very late. The sweet spot is uaually late-Sept to mid-Oct. The stripers will blitz well beyond when the albies leave town.

If I had to pick just 2 days right now, I'd choose either Oct 13-14 (mid-week, new moon tides...albies should still be strong and bass should be peaking) or Sept 29-30 (mid week, just after full moon--don't go right on the full moon...my experience is that the fish do screwy things on the full moon...could be coincidence, but why test it?--might get one of those great warm, Indian summer days). If you can go mid-week, do it....the boat traffic is just brutal on weekends now that so many people are doing the albie thing. And the crowds are not just frustrating for the obvious reasons; they also break up the bait balls and the blitzes.

my 2 cents,
Josh

[Sedotti]

Hi Ray,
Year in, year out the best two weeks are the last week of September and the first week of October. Everybody (all the species) are almost always in great and they're hot and heavy on the surface chasing the incredible numbers of Bay Anchovies. It's often about at the end of the hot, dry, calm spell which makes fishing there SO...OO..OO nice too. Very often the wind comes up after that and it starts getting colder. I love fishing in shorts and t shirt, under a blue mile high sky, air temperature 80 degrees and dry, a sea of glass, and thousands of bass, blues and albies going haywire on the surface in a world class spectacle. That's for me, and it's heaven. The Redbone Tournament is scheduled for the last two days of September, and on Oct. 1, I think (It's on a Thursday and Friday) You might want to plan to be on the water other days. Do go during weekdays if you can too.
The "secret spots" are the Point, the South side, and the North side. Some secret huh? You'll often see all the fish. Can try at the entrance to Montauk lake and far to the left and the right.

All My Best,
Marco

[Ray]

Thanks Everyone. I'm headed home now to start packing!!!!

I, and the rest of the gang, will try for a midweek trip. That's what I do for the MV Derby, way better than the weekend. I spent 2 great days on the water this week, 1 by boat 1 by kayak, when we had some great surface / visual fishing. I can't imagine what it's like to have such a variety of frenzied fish doing that.

Thanks again,

I'll be in touch.

[saltyflyguy]

Mid Sept- to Mid Oct. If you want a motel better do it soon.
The accessible beach areas get VERY crowded with the 4WD/Spin crowd, who give flyrodders no respect at all. Kyak would be OK but just watch out for the boats- things can get pretty hectic out there. I think you can camp at Hither Hills SP but check it out.

[Ray]

Anyone ever camp at Montauk County Park? Right near the lake? I think that's where we will be staying when we do our trip. It's looking like the 2nd weekend in Oct!!!!

[saltyflyguy]

I have never camped out there at all but anywhere should be OK. I'll be out there last week in Sept. but I could drive out and meet you while you are there. email me <bobwoolley@nyc.rr.com> or call me when you get out there-718-969-5651. My summer has been a bust due to a herniated disc, which is now better. I'm b going to Baffin Island for a few days in Aug. for char.

[nyflyfishing]

I think you are talking about Shagwon, that is the only county park in Montauk. I have camped there many anights, just make sure you have a back up place to camp if a northeast wind starts to blow, they sometimes kick off all campers. Also you must be in a self-contained camper no tents there. You also may want the check out Hither Hills State Park.

[Ray]

The spot in question is now called Theodore Roosevelt County Park. It's just west of Montauk Point State Park. We will be in tents.

[nyflyfishing]

That is the place I was referring to as Shagwonhttp://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/webtemp1.cfm?dept=10&id=888 I would call the number at this link just for yourself, but I am sure there isnt any tent camping allowed. If you are set on camping got to www.reserveamerica.com and check for reservations at Hither Hills. I have cought many of big fish at this campgrounds as it is right on the ocean and also very clean.

[Ray]

Looks like camping may be out. Hither Hills is booked, and I can't get anyone on the phone at Roosevelt.

[nyflyfishing]

There is also Ceder Point in East Hampton another county park, also a nice place, on the water maybe 20 miles from montauk, could be a back up if you just tried walking in to Hither Hills. I have gone to Hither Hills without a reservation and gotten a camp site. I dont think that all spots can be reserved, so I would call them just to ask.