East End Fishing Report: July 3, 2026 — Montauk Bass Blazing, Bluefin Push In for the Fourth
The Quick Read
Summer heat has the East End cooking. Striped bass are still the headline out of Montauk — day and night — with bluefish, porgies, and improving fluke filling in the mixed bag. Offshore and midshore, the tuna grind is heating up fast heading into the holiday weekend.
Striped Bass — Still the Show
Nothing has cooled off the Montauk bass bite. Fish to 50 pounds are being caught and released, and it's been steady enough that even the folks who don't fish are hearing about it. Daytime crews are casting diamond jigs and bucktails in and around the Lighthouse, trolling umbrella rigs and parachutes, and there's been solid surface action for those working topwater. Just remember the slot — one keeper per day, 28 to 31 inches — so plenty of the better fish are going back.
Capt. Savio Mizzi of Fishooker Charters, sailing out of Westlake Marina, has been putting light-tackle clients on fish caught and released to 50 pounds and calling it flat-out epic. After dark it's been even better in the bays, with anglers landing personal bests and multi-fish nights. The Ebb Tide Princess with Capt. Anthony D'Arrigo has reported phenomenal night bass fishing, many in the 30-to-40-pound class and up, and a nice mix of bass and fluke on the daytime runs (schedule at ebbtidefishing.com).
Don't sleep on Plum Gut and the Race either — both stripers and blues are running well there. Drifting three-way bucktail rigs or slinging diamond jigs during daylight has been the ticket.
Bluefish
Blues are around and mixing into the program. Off Montauk they've been holding closer to the bottom while the bass work the surface. Casters have been picking away at fish along Gerard Drive too. Good eating if you brine a few fillets and hit the smoker.
Fluke, Sea Bass & Porgies
The inshore bottom game has been a mixed bag but trending up. Fluke improved with the better weather after a stretch of wind knocked things around, and sea bass continue to give sinker-bouncers streaky results. Porgy fishing has rebounded nicely — Cherry Harbor off the southwest side of Gardiner's Island has been a reliable anchor-up spot for larger scup when conditions allow, and casters have picked them off Gerard Drive. A few blowfish have also shown up in Three Mile Harbor.
Offshore & Midshore — Tuna Turning On
The tuna scene is heating up right on cue. Bluefin have pushed onto the midshore grounds in strong numbers, with yellowfin and bigeye showing further out in the canyons. Surface feeds have been part of the picture, so be flexible and ready to cycle through lures. The Montauk fleet is deep into the deepwater program too — one recent multi-day trip aboard the Viking Starship loaded coolers with tilefish, pollock, hake, and cusk, plus a 68-pound bluefin in the mix.
Bait, Tackle & the Local Word
Sebastian Gorgone at Mrs. Sam's Bait and Tackle in East Hampton reports business has been brisk ahead of the holiday, with bluefish, bass, porgies, and some fluke keeping everyone busy. He's also stocked up on R.A. Ribb clam rakes for the diggers among us. Scott Monahan closed the book on his spring surf bass run and is shifting to shore fluke and the occasional tuna trip with Reel Therapy Charters out of Montauk.
On the Calendar
- Montauk Canyon Challenge — Friday, July 10 through July 18. Big offshore tournament; last year drew 80-plus boats and near $1 million in prizes. Details at montaukcanyonchallenge.com.
- Montauk Grand Slam — July 18–19 at Uihlein's Marina on West Lake Drive. Inshore charity event chasing a slam of fluke, sea bass, bluefish, and porgy, with this year's Montauk Fishing Legend honor going to Capt. Tom Herlihy of Herl's Girl. Info at mtkgrandslam.org.
Water's warm, bass are chewing, and the tuna are within reach. Get out there — and have a safe Fourth on the water.