[tag5505]

Gonna be in Montauk with a few friends in May 8,9 10,11.
anyone with suggestions on what to target from the surf at that particular time?

 

[ghostrider]

Blues and Schoolie Stripers

I know that in my home waters, here in the Hamptons, early May brings an initial run of big blues and lots of schoolie stripers. Montauk is only 30 miles down the road, so I'm assuming it will be pritty much the same out there.

 

[tag5505]

ghost, @ that time, what did u throw @ them? bucks, tins, bait...?

 

[RichTrox]

Hi Ghost.....

How are you feeling?

-Rich

 

[willyyoung]

Use bucktails. Fish show up first on the south side. Should be there that time of year.
Willie

 

[bill]

Early May can be very good for both fat schoolies (footballs), and large beasts in the night. Sardines, sandeels, herring, bunker, squid and shad will be the primary baits. Without going into any great detail look for the white water in the daytime for the footballs. Feed them bucktails. At night you will need to fish very specific tides to find large. The larger fish will come into shallow stable water to feed off the larger baits, especially the bunker. Here bigger baits are recommended like darters, darters and darters. The daytime schoolies can be easy Pickens at times, but if you want the big girls expect to work. From early May to mid May to the end of May are practically three different seasons, and how you approach those seasons is going to make or break ya. Try to get a little local knowledge before you go out, and pay very close attention to the conditions? Good Luck!!

 

[snapperman]

thank you for the advice bill. also if you arnt catching anything, or its a late season, then mabe try fishing the pont there cause it is shallow and will warm fast. people target flounder in there and early spring bass tend to like the same bottom as flounder. that water warms fastest, will have the most shrimp and worms and what not, but will also have flounder, which bass love to eat.

 

[marktore]

From early May to mid May to the end of May are practically three different seasons, and how you approach those seasons is going to make or break ya.

Bill,

I found your post very interesting in regard to the changes that take place throughout May; what is your take on the late May season in Montauk.

This is my 2nd year hitting the beach's; I have my first trip out to the point planned for May 31st.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[longcast]

Bill,

At night, which tide do you like for the May fishing?
Thank you for all of your informative posts.

Kevin

This post edited by longcast 08:36 AM 03/01/2008

 

[bill]

My 31st can be tricky. WE have a full on the 20th and the new on the 3rd. Through the years I have found a lull during this time, as the sandeel resident fish that stay through June into July have not arrived yet, as the sand eel patterns themselves have not arrived. However last year I was tricked as the sand eels came on the last moon of May instead of the first moon of June. This was mostly I think due to warmer water temps last spring. By the way there are two runs of spring sand eels, one in the early spring that sometimes doesn?t happen. I believe these sand eels to be coming from offshore, and the other in mid-late spring coming out of the bay. The mid spring run is far more prominent. As far as tides. That is just something you are going to have to learn. Montauk is a big place, and each area can be tide specific, especially if you are hunting large. Wind, time of year, water temps, bait, should all play a roll in the tide you choose for the area your fishing. Each month is a completely different season. Yes, you can get lucky and walk into the fish while you are there, but to catch consistently or to target large you will need to pay your dues.

 

[BennyBass]

DUES

OR PAY BILL

.

 

[bill]

You can do that too. You will break or at least shorten many learning curves with a guide, but 6 hours of fishing cant teach you day in and day out experience. No matter what, you are going to have pound the suds to learn more and more about them.

 

[BennyBass]

Hi Bill, figure I throw your name out there being you fish there plenty. Talk to ya soon.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Martin