Stripers Running Hot at Montauk as South Shore Fluke Builds Momentum
Per On The Water's June 11 Long Island report, striper fishing off the North Fork and Montauk has been excellent as migratory fish continue pressing east and north. That's the headline story this week. The South Shore fluke bite is also slowly gaining traction. On June 4, On The Water noted the striper bite firing from the Eastern Sound all the way to Montauk, with bluefish described as spotty across the island. The June 12 Striper Migration Map from On The Water confirms the push remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to keep moving bass and bait toward summer grounds. Saltwater Edge Blog noted in late May that big bass were crushing big baits through the region as fresh fish from the south replaced northward migrants, a pattern that aligns with what Long Island anglers are seeing right now.
Current Conditions
- Moon
- Waning Crescent
- Tide / flow
- New moon arriving this weekend; expect strong tidal exchanges at rip edges and inlet mouths.
- Weather
- Check local forecast before heading out.
New to these readings? What do water temp, cfs, tide, and moon phase actually mean for fishing?
What's Biting
Striped Bass
topwater at dawn on rip lines; bucktails through the mid-tide grind
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
bucktail or paddle-tail on moving current over sandy structure
Bluefish
surface poppers when birds are working
What's Next
The timing sets up well for the next several days. Per On The Water's June 12 Striper Migration Map, the new moon arrives this weekend, bringing with it strong tidal exchanges that should keep bass actively moving along rip lines, points, and inlet mouths across Long Island. New moon tides historically generate the sharpest feeding windows for stripers, especially at current-heavy spots from the North Fork out to Montauk, where tide and structure intersect most forcefully. Anglers who have been working the Eastern Sound should find continued productivity, and those planning a first trip to Montauk this season have good reason to go; fish are still funneling east and the tidal push should concentrate them along the tip.
For South Shore anglers, fluke is the species to watch as the month develops. On The Water's June 11 report described the bite as 'slowly but surely picking up steam,' which is early-build language suggesting we're still approaching peak rather than at it. Fluke should continue activating along inshore lumps, channel edges, and structure-heavy South Shore waters as June progresses and temperatures stabilize. Target moving current over sandy bottom and soft-bottom transitions; bucktail and paddle-tail combos are consistent producers during this building phase.
Bluefish remain the wildcard. Multiple On The Water reports from June 4 and surrounding dates characterized bluefish action as sporadic across the island. Blues tend to move hard with bait schools and disappear just as quickly; their arrival in force often does not solidify until water temps climb higher through summer. Watch for birds working the surface and, when you find them, have poppers or fast-retrieved metals ready. No strong signal yet of a sustained blitz-class presence, but conditions can flip quickly.
Weekend windows to prioritize: dawn and dusk around the new moon's peak tidal flow, particularly at rips, jetties, inlet mouths, and the points off Montauk. Topwater plugs at first light, bucktails or soft plastics through the mid-tide grind. The migration map from On The Water shows the push from New Jersey to Maine is still running strong, and with peak tidal movement arriving this weekend, there is no indication the striper bite is letting up heading into mid-June.
Context
Mid-June is historically one of Long Island's prime windows for striped bass. The spring migration, which builds through April and May as fish move out of the Hudson River system and up the coast, typically reaches peak density around the forks and Montauk by early to mid-June. Fish that have been staging in the Sound begin funneling east, making Montauk a natural convergence point for boat and surf anglers alike.
The 2026 season has tracked closely with historical norms. Saltwater Edge Blog observed in late May that the season was 'panning out like many in the past,' a signal of consistency with prior years rather than an early or late shift. On The Water confirmed stripers were already 'hot from New York City to Montauk' through the Memorial Day weekend, meaning the migration arrived on schedule and has sustained momentum into June without the mid-spring lull that occasionally interrupts the run.
Fluke timing also looks on track. The June 11 On The Water report's 'slowly but surely picking up' language sits right where the South Shore bite typically falls in early-to-mid June. Peak fluke action on Long Island's South Shore generally builds through late June and into July, so the current gradual increase is on schedule rather than behind.
Bluefish appearing sporadically in June fits the regional norm as well. A sustained blitz-class presence often does not solidify until water temps push higher through the summer months. The 'spotty' characterization across multiple On The Water reports is consistent with what early-June bluefish populations typically look like here before the heat settles in.
Overall, 2026 is running on a normal seasonal trajectory for this region, with striper fishing at the stronger end of what mid-June historically delivers for Long Island and Montauk anglers.
This report is synthesized by Hooked Fisherman from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Source names are cited inline where they appear. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.