Montauk Striper Bite Running Hot; Keeper Fluke Chewing Well Across the Bays

What's biting

What's next

The First Quarter moon on June 23 sets up moderate tidal ranges, not the dramatic surge of a full or new moon, but reliable current movement to activate the rip edges and current seams where Montauk stripers stack. Per On The Water's June 18 Long Island report, bass have been responding well to squid and sand eels at Montauk, a pattern that should carry through the end of the week and into the weekend. Early morning and late evening sessions on moving water, working rips and nearshore structure, remain the strongest plays for keeper fish.

For fluke, the South Shore bays and the Peconics have been producing keeper-grade fish, according to On The Water's June 18 report. As the week progresses and water temps hold around 68°F or tick slightly higher, look for larger fish to settle into channel edges and drop-offs adjacent to open bay water. Jigs tipped with squid strips or bucktail are the standard approach, with tidal movement again being the key driver: fish hard on the move and expect lulls at slack tide.

The Saltwater Edge Blog's June New Moon forecast, covering Rhode Island waters just to the northeast, noted that cool regional water temperatures have kept both the striper bite and squid fishing active and strong, with no sign of slowing. Eastern Long Island shares similar oceanographic conditions with Block Island Sound and Rhode Island coastal waters, and a sustained cool trend would extend the peak bass window well into July. If you have been waiting for a summer striper trip, conditions argue for going sooner rather than later.

For offshore-capable boats, On The Water has been tracking giant bluefin tuna showing close to New York City, within sight of land per their reporting. Late June is historically when bluefin begin pushing into accessible depths northeast of the city, and current conditions appear to be supporting that bite. This one is worth monitoring closely over the coming week.

Bluefish should also factor into any late-June Long Island plan. NY DEC Saltwater Fishing and Boating has confirmed a regulation change: no size limit, five fish per person. Bluefish tend to shadow the same bait pods driving the striper action, and on lighter spinning tackle they offer fast, consistent action when bass are scattered or finicky. Wind was running near 16 mph at the NY Bight early Tuesday morning per buoy 44065, manageable for most inshore runs. Check an updated local forecast before launching, particularly for any offshore bluefin attempts.

Context

Late June off Long Island sits at one of the more productive intersections of the saltwater calendar. Water temps in the upper 60s, right where buoy 44065 is reading this week, are squarely in the historical sweet spot for both the Montauk striper fishery and the South Shore fluke grounds. Bass chasing sand eels, squid, and bunker through Montauk rips in mid-to-late June is a well-established seasonal pattern: the spring migration has peaked and begun winding down, but fish have not yet scattered to summer deep-water haunts, leaving concentrations available on nearshore structure.

The On The Water Striper Migration Map (June 19) confirms this year's season is following a familiar arc, with bigger bass now keyed on forage concentrations as the spring-to-summer transition completes. That tracks as on schedule for the third week of June.

One enforcement item worth flagging for every angler heading out: On The Water — New York / Long Island recently reported that New York ECOs seized 19 illegally taken striped bass on Long Island, citing anglers who retained fish outside the slot size. Enforcement is active; double-check current NY DEC size and bag regulations before your trip.

Looking at the broader regional picture, the Saltwater Edge Blog noted that this season's cooler-than-typical water temperatures have extended the prime striper and squid window in southern New England beyond what is normal for this time of year. If that pattern extends to eastern Long Island, which shares oceanographic influence with Block Island Sound, the Montauk bite may have more staying power through July than in warmer recent seasons. The keeper fluke bite opening across the South Shore bays and the Peconics is also right on the typical June schedule, consistent with NY DEC's recreational summer flounder season being open. Bay fluke fishing generally hits its stride as water temps climb into the mid-to-upper 60s, a condition now firmly in place.