Deep sea fishing in Montauk: the offshore and party boat fleet, ranked
At the end of Long Island, Montauk pairs a long run to the canyons for tuna and sharks with a famous party boat fleet for bottom fishing. Here are the deep sea fishing charters in Montauk worth booking, scored on one standard, with the weak spots named plainly.
Montauk sits at the very end of Long Island, and the deep sea fishing in Montauk has a reach and a fleet that no other New York port matches. The run to the tuna and sharks is 25 to 35 miles off the Point, and the canyons are 60 to 70 miles out at the edge of the shelf, so the boat and the captain carry the day. The fleet splits two ways: a famous set of party and open boats that sell seats by the person for bottom fishing, and a deep bench of private sportfishers that chase tuna and sharks by the whole boat. This page ranks the field on our published method, so you can see which boat fits your trip and the run it has to make.
What you catch and when
Montauk is a tuna, shark, and striped bass story, with a bottom fishing season under it. The offshore grounds turn on in late June, when the first bluefin show, and by July bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore tuna are all around, along with the sharks, running through the fall. Striped bass fish the rips around the Point from spring, with the famous fall run in October and November the highlight of the year. Under all of it is the bottom fishing the party boats run: fluke through the summer, black sea bass and porgy from spring into the fall, and cod on the winter wreck trips. One headline fish has changed: the shortfin mako, once the signature Montauk shark, is catch and release only now, with a zero retention limit in place since 2022, so plan a shark trip as release based for mako. Confirm the current rules with NOAA Fisheries and the state seasons with New York DEC before you book a trip around any one species.
- Tuna
- Bluefin tuna show in late June, and by July bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore are all around through the fall. The boats run 25 to 35 miles to the grounds, with canyon trips 60 to 70 miles to the edge of the shelf. Bluefin retention is set by NOAA HMS rules and a permit, which the charter boats carry.
- Sharks
- Mako, thresher, and blue sharks arrive in June and run through early fall. Shortfin mako are catch and release only under federal and state rules, with a zero retention limit in place since 2022, so a Montauk shark trip is release based for mako. Confirm the current shark rules with NOAA.
- Striped bass
- The signature inshore fish, on the rips around Montauk Point. New York runs a one fish slot of 28 to less than 31 inches, and the fall run in October and November is the highlight of the striper season. Confirm the current slot and season with New York DEC.
- Fluke, sea bass, and scup
- The bottom fishing the party and open boats run. Fluke (summer flounder) opens in the spring and runs into the fall, black sea bass opens in spring with a split season bag limit through December, and scup (porgy) runs much of the year. Confirm the 2026 dates and limits with New York DEC.
- Cod and tautog
- The cool weather bottom fishing. Tautog (blackfish) is a fall and spring wreck fish, and cod runs the winter wreck trips on the big party boats when the inshore seasons close. Confirm seasons with New York DEC.
The boats and operators
Montauk runs two kinds of boat, and the choice between them shapes the day and the cost. The party and open boats, led by the Viking Fleet and the Lazybones, sell seats by the person and fish a crowded rail, which is the affordable, sociable way onto the water for bottom fishing. Viking goes further than any of them, running a 140 foot boat and the only multi day canyon trips in the port. The rest of the ranked field is private sportfishers, from 31 to 48 feet, booked by the whole boat for your group, which is how you fish offshore for tuna and sharks on your own schedule with a named captain. Because the offshore grounds and the canyons are a long run, boat size and range count here, so match the boat to the trip: a party boat seat for bottom fishing or a budget day, a private sportfisher for a tuna run, and the big Viking boat for the multi day canyon trip.
How the field ranks
On our rubric the top of the port is the operation with the boats and the range to fish the whole Montauk calendar. The Viking Fleet takes first at 8.4, a four generation family operation whose 140 foot boats and multi day canyon trips no private boat can match, with the party boat format the trade. The best reviewed boat, Crunch Time Sport Fishing, is second at 8.1, a 48 foot sportfisherman under Captain TJ Ritner with a flawless 5.0 from 179 trips, capped by a wide one boat menu. Susie E II follows at 7.9, a big Coast Guard inspected sportfisher with the clearest rate card in the port, held back by a price that climbs fast offshore. Moondance Charters at 7.8 is the tuna specialist, Captain Sal Trapani and 35 years on the water, on a mid size boat; TailWrapped Sportfishing is level at 7.8 with the widest species menu of the private boats, a step behind on its review volume. The local owner run pick, Push the Limit, is sixth at 7.6, Montauk native Captain Ben McCarron and a clean 5.0 record on a newer, smaller operation, and the famous half day party boat, Lazybones, rounds out the field at 7.6, the cheapest way onto the water with a bottom only menu the trade. The cards below carry each boat’s verdict and score.
The charters, ranked
7 boats · scored 0–10Listed in score order. Each score is our own editorial assessment, built from the six factors in our method — captain and crew, boat and equipment, trips and access, value, track record, and service. No operator can pay to move up.
- 1RankEditor's Pick
Viking Fleet
The institution of Montauk deep sea fishing: a four generation family operation running the biggest boats in the port, from a 140 foot party boat for bottom fishing to multi day canyon runs for tuna and tilefish that no private six pack can match. The trade is the party boat trade, a crowded rail, a rotating crew, and a day that depends on the boat you draw rather than a captain you pick. A strong choice for offshore range and budget access, less so for an intimate, captain led charter.
- Boat
- 140 foot party boat (offshore and canyon)
- Trips
- half day (4 hr) · porgy and sea bass (7 hr) · night striped bass · offshore canyon (multi-day) · winter cod · sunset jigging
- Targets
- Bluefin tuna, Tilefish, Black sea bass
- Price
- $$
··
8.4/10Strong choice - 2Rank
Crunch Time Sport Fishing
The best reviewed boat in Montauk and the most versatile big private charter: a 48 foot custom sportfisherman under Captain TJ Ritner that fishes the inshore bottom and the offshore tuna and shark grounds, with a flawless review record across nearly 180 trips. The trade is one boat covering a wide menu, so you tell the captain which day you want, and the offshore range is shorter than the canyon boats. A strong choice for a big group that wants a proven captain on a comfortable boat, less so for a multi day canyon run.
- Boat
- 48 foot Rose Brothers custom sportfisherman
- Trips
- inshore bottom · striped bass · offshore tuna · shark · open boat · private charter
- Targets
- Bluefin tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Mako shark
- Price
- $$$
·
8.1/10Strong choice - 3Rank
Susie E II
An established big sportfisher with the clearest rate card in Montauk: a 48 foot Coast Guard inspected boat under Captain Burt Prince that runs the full ladder from a half day inshore to a full day offshore for tuna, with every trip and add on priced plainly. The trade is a price that climbs fast for the offshore days and a public review record thinner than the booking platform boats. A strong choice for a group that wants a big, comfortable boat and transparent pricing, less so for the lowest rate.
- Boat
- 48 foot custom sportfisherman
- Trips
- half day inshore · night bass · full day inshore · offshore shark · offshore tuna · overnight
- Targets
- Bluefin tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Mako shark
- Price
- $$$
·
7.9/10Strong choice - 4Rank
Moondance Charters
A dedicated tuna specialist with a strong, deep review record: Captain Sal Trapani has fished Montauk for over 35 years and runs a 32 foot SeaVee and a 35 foot Bruno after bluefin and yellowfin, with inshore striped bass and bottom trips the rest of the season. The trade is a mid size boat smaller than the 48 footers above it and a price toward the top for the offshore days. A strong choice for a small group serious about tuna with a veteran captain, less so for a big group or a budget day.
- Boat
- 35 foot Bruno sportfisherman
- Trips
- offshore bluefin tuna · offshore yellowfin tuna · inshore striped bass · sea bass and porgy · shark
- Targets
- Bluefin tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Striped bass
- Price
- $$$
·
7.8/10Strong choice - 5Rank
TailWrapped Sportfishing
The widest fishing menu among the Montauk private boats: a custom Topaz sportfisherman under a captain with over 35 years of experience, running everything from inshore fluke and blackfish to offshore tuna, billfish, and tilefish, with a strong review record. The trade is a mid size boat and a thinner public record than the busiest boats, on a wide menu that asks you to be clear about the day. A strong choice for an angler who wants one boat that can do almost any Montauk trip, less so for the deepest record.
- Boat
- 33 foot custom Topaz sportfisherman
- Trips
- inshore bottom · striped bass · offshore tuna · shark · tilefish · tournament
- Targets
- Bluefin tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Tilefish
- Price
- $$$
·
7.8/10Strong choice - 6Rank
Push the Limit Sportfishing
An owner run six pack with a born and raised local at the helm: Captain Ben McCarron, a Montauk native who grew up on these boats, runs a 31 foot Downeaster for light tackle tuna, sharks, and the inshore bottom, with a flawless review record. The trade is a younger operation with a shorter track record and a smaller boat than the offshore specialists, on a wide menu. A strong choice for a small group that wants a hungry local captain and a hands on light tackle day, less so for a big group or the longest canyon run.
- Boat
- 31 foot Downeaster (diesel)
- Trips
- half day inshore · full day inshore · offshore tuna · light tackle jig and pop · shark · night striped bass
- Targets
- Yellowfin tuna, Bluefin tuna, Mako shark
- Price
- $$$
·
7.6/10Strong choice - 7Rank
Lazybones
Montauk's famous half day party boat and the cheapest, easiest way onto the water: a long running open boat under Captain Mike Vegessi, who has owned it since 1985, running two half day bottom trips a day for fluke in summer and bass and blues in fall at $75 a head. The trade is a narrow menu, since it is a half day bottom boat only, with no offshore or full day option and a crowded rail. A strong choice for a family, a first timer, or a budget half day, less so for offshore tuna or sharks.
- Boat
- party boat (open boat)
- Trips
- half day AM (8 to 12) · half day PM (1 to 5) · fluke · bass and blues
- Targets
- Fluke, Black sea bass, Striped bass
- Price
- $
···
7.6/10Strong choice
Twelve Montauk deep sea operations were assessed and seven ranked. Five were assessed and not ranked this season. Offshore Harry (Captain Harry Garrecht, a 36 foot Wayne Beal) is a respected canyon and tuna captain, but the operator site was down during this pass and we could not verify current prices or a review record to the standard the ranked boats meet. Lady Grace VI (Captain Mario Melito, a 38 foot Wesmac) and Drifter Sport Fishing (Captain Rob Foley, 5.0 from 45 reviews) are well reviewed boats that lean to striped bass and the inshore rips more than the offshore tuna and shark grounds this page leads with, and they sit just outside the ranked field this season. Montauk Charterboat CUJO2 is a heavily reviewed open boat (4.8 from 86) built around inshore live bait and bottom fishing rather than the canyon run, and VitaminSea Voyages is a well reviewed nearshore bottom boat that does not run the offshore trips. Montauk has dozens more private boats and a booking brokerage that lists 20 of them; we assess named operators individually rather than the listings. We re-assess every port annually.
Every score is earned, not bought.
No operator pays to appear, to rank higher, or to soften a verdict. Each charter is scored 0 to 10 on six weighted factors, then ranked. Here is the weighting.
- Captain and crew 25%
- Boat and equipment 20%
- Trips and fishing access 15%
- Value and transparency 15%
- Track record 15%
- Service and booking 10%
Trip types and what they cost
Montauk fishes two ways, and the price gap is wide. A party boat seat is the cheap way out: a half day on the Lazybones is $75 per person, and the Viking Fleet runs the same half day fare up to offshore multi day canyon trips from $550 per person, all sold by the seat with the gear available aboard. A private charter is booked by the whole boat, from around $700 to $900 to start on a six pack such as Push the Limit or TailWrapped, up to $1,900 for an offshore shark day and $2,500 for a full day tuna trip on the Susie E II. The private boats cost more per head unless you fill the deck, but they put you on your own schedule and target, which for a tuna or shark trip is most of the point. Our cost guide breaks down what each tier buys, and the party boat versus private charter guide sets the two formats side by side.
How to pick the right trip
Start with the fish and the budget. For a first trip, a family, or a cheap few hours of bottom fishing, take a seat on the Lazybones or a Viking half day and keep it simple. For offshore tuna or sharks, you want a private boat with a named captain: Crunch Time or the Susie E II for a big, comfortable sportfisher and a group, Moondance or TailWrapped for a tuna specialist, and Push the Limit for a hands on light tackle day with a local. For the canyon, 60 to 70 miles out, the Viking Fleet’s multi day trip is the only way there short of your own boat. Match the trip length to the target, since the tuna and the canyon are a long run and the bottom fishing is close, and book the summer offshore dates well ahead.
Getting there and what to bring
Montauk is a long drive or train ride to the end of Long Island, and almost the entire charter fleet docks along West Lake Drive on Lake Montauk, a few minutes from the village. Confirm your marina and dock when you book, since the boats run from several yacht clubs and basins along the lake. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to park, check in, and find your boat or your spot at the rail. Bring sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses, warm layers for the offshore and night trips, food and drinks, a cooler with ice for your catch, and motion sickness medication if you are unsure of your stomach, since the long offshore run and the canyon trips are a real test of it. No separate license is needed on a licensed charter or party boat here.
Montauk anchors the New York saltwater fishery. Down the coast, Point Pleasant runs the next big party boat fleet in New Jersey, Cape Cod fishes the same tuna and bottom to the northeast, and the New York hub and the Atlantic Northeast hub list the rest of the coast we rank.
Frequently asked questions
How much does deep sea fishing cost in Montauk?
It depends on whether you buy a seat or the boat. A half day party boat seat on the Lazybones is $75 per person, and the Viking Fleet runs from a $75 half day up to offshore multi day trips from $550 per person. A private charter is booked by the whole boat, from around $700 to $900 to start on a six pack, up to $2,500 for a full day offshore tuna charter on the Susie E II. See each operator's review for current rates.
What is the best time of year to fish offshore in Montauk?
Late June through the fall is the offshore season. Bluefin tuna show in late June, and by July all the tuna and the sharks are around, running strong into the fall. Striped bass fish the rips from spring, with the famous fall run in October and November. The bottom fishing for fluke, sea bass, and porgy runs from late spring into the fall, and the big party boats run winter cod trips. Summer and early fall have the calmest seas for the long offshore runs.
Can you keep a mako shark in Montauk?
No. Shortfin mako, once the signature Montauk shark, are catch and release only under federal and state rules, with a zero retention limit in place since 2022. Any mako must be released, dead or alive. Thresher and blue sharks may be kept within NOAA HMS size and bag limits. Always confirm the current shark rules with NOAA before you book a shark trip.
Are Montauk charters party boats or private?
Both, and the split is the heart of the port. The Viking Fleet and the Lazybones are party and open boats that sell seats by the person, the affordable, sociable way onto the water for bottom fishing and, on Viking, the offshore canyon trips. The rest of the ranked field is private sportfishers booked by the whole boat for your group, which is how you fish for tuna and sharks on your own schedule.
Do you need a fishing license on a Montauk charter?
No. In New York, anglers fishing from a licensed party or charter boat are covered by the vessel, so you do not register separately for the trip. We check that as part of every review. The boats also supply the rods, reels, and bait, and most clean your catch.
How far offshore is the tuna and canyon fishing?
The tuna and shark grounds are about 25 to 35 miles off Montauk Point, a long day on a fast boat. The canyon fishing, at the edge of the continental shelf, is 60 to 70 miles out, which is why the big party boats run it as a multi day trip and most private boats fish the closer grounds. The bottom fishing is much closer, within a few miles of the Point.