Crunch Time Sport Fishing is the best reviewed boat in Montauk and the most versatile of the big private charters, a 48 foot custom sportfisherman that fishes the inshore bottom and the offshore tuna and shark grounds with equal ease. Captain TJ Ritner runs it himself, and the review record is the deepest in the port, a flawless 5.0 across nearly 180 trips. For a group that wants a proven captain on a comfortable big boat, whether for a day of bottom fishing or a run offshore for tuna, Crunch Time is the standout.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 8.1 Crunch Time is a strong choice and ranks second in Montauk, behind only the Viking Fleet and its 140 foot boats. The two play different games: Viking has the offshore range and the multi day canyon trips, while Crunch Time has the single deepest customer record in the port and an owner captain on every trip. Captain and crew and track record are its standout factors. The honest limits are two. One boat covers a wide menu, from inshore bass to offshore tuna, so you should be clear which day you are booking. And its offshore range is shorter than Viking’s overnight canyon runs. For a dedicated tuna specialist look at Moondance or Tailwrapped; for another big sportfisher, Susie E II; for an owner run six pack, Push the Limit; and for a cheap half day, Lazybones. The full field is on the Montauk ranking.
The boat
Crunch Time is a 48 foot Rose Brothers custom sportfisherman, restored in 2013 and running twin 375 horsepower Caterpillar engines, with a full head and the deck space to fish up to 12 anglers in comfort, licensed for up to 18. It is one of the larger private boats in the port, which makes it a genuine option for a bigger group that wants a private trip rather than a party boat seat. The size and the cabin make it comfortable on the offshore tuna and shark grounds, though it is not built for the overnight canyon runs the 140 foot Viking Starship makes. For an inshore bottom day or a day trip offshore, it is well matched to the water.
The fishing and what you target
Crunch Time fishes both sides of the Montauk fishery. Inshore, it works the bottom and the rips for striped bass, bluefish, fluke, blackfish, and black sea bass through their seasons. Offshore, it runs for yellowfin and bluefin tuna and sharks in the summer and fall. Shortfin mako, once the signature Montauk shark, are catch and release only under federal and state rules now, so any mako is released, and the harvest sharks are thresher and blue under HMS limits. Striped bass run a one fish slot of 28 to less than 31 inches in New York. Because the boat does inshore and offshore, set your expectations by the trip, and confirm the current seasons with New York DEC and NOAA Fisheries.
Trips and prices
Private whole boat charters start at $900, booked direct or through FishingBooker, with the rate set by the trip type and the group. Crunch Time also sells open boat seats by the person on bottom fishing trips, which is the cheaper way aboard if you are not filling the boat. A professional first mate rigs the gear and fillets your catch. The pricing is fair for a 48 foot boat and a captain with this record, though it is a private boat rate, so a small group pays more per head than a party boat seat unless the deck is full. Confirm whether you are booking private or by the seat when you reserve. Our cost guide and the party boat versus private charter guide set the two formats side by side.
The crew
Captain TJ Ritner owns and runs Crunch Time, and the sentiment is the strongest in the port: across 179 reviews the record is a flawless 5.0, with anglers describing a captain who is knowledgeable and friendly and works equally well with first timers and experienced crews, young and old. That depth and consistency of recent, positive sentiment is the main reason the boat ranks where it does. The professional first mate who rigs and cleans is named often in the reviews as part of why the day runs smoothly. For a private boat, the captain you book is the captain you fish with, which is the advantage over the party boats above and beside it.
Booking and what to know
Book direct or through FishingBooker, and tell the captain which trip you want, since the boat runs inshore bottom days and offshore tuna and shark trips that need different plans and gear. Confirm the rate, the trip length, and whether you are private or by the seat. Bring food, drinks, and a cooler for your catch; the boat covers the gear and the mate fillets your fish. Book ahead for the summer tuna and shark dates.
How we scored it
Crunch Time scores 8.1: the deepest, cleanest review record in Montauk under an owner captain on a comfortable 48 foot boat that covers inshore to offshore, held below the top only by a wide one boat menu and an offshore range shorter than the canyon boats. Captain and crew and track record are its standout factors. See how we scored this boat and the Montauk ranking for the field.