The Montauk Fall Surf Fishing Classic brings together striped bass anglers each October for a tournament that runs three weekends in a row

The Montauk Fall Surf Fishing Classic is an open-entry tournament held in Montauk, at the eastern tip of Long Island, where striped bass move through shallow water on their fall migration. The event runs across three consecutive weekends in October, with anglers fishing from the beach during designated hours. You do not need to pre-register — you pay an entry fee at the weigh-in location each day you fish, and your catch is weighed against other entries from that same day. The tournament draws both locals who fish Montauk regularly and visitors who travel specifically for the event.

Montauk's geography makes it ideal for fall striped bass fishing. The point juts into the Atlantic, creating structure and current that concentrate migrating fish. The beaches are accessible to walk-on anglers, and the shallow water means you can reach feeding fish without a boat. October water temperatures drop into the 50s, which triggers aggressive feeding in striped bass before they move offshore for winter.

Key Takeaways

  • The tournament runs three weekends in October, with separate daily entry fees and daily weigh-ins rather than a single registration.
  • You fish from the beach during set hours — typically dawn to dusk or a shorter window — and must bring your catch to the official weigh-in location by the deadline.
  • Striped bass are the target species, and fish are ranked by weight within each day's entries, so you compete against that day's anglers only.
  • Montauk's beaches are public, but parking fills early during the tournament, and some access points have limited spots or fees.
  • The event draws experienced surf anglers and newcomers alike, making it a good opportunity to fish alongside people who know the water and the techniques that work in fall.

When the tournament runs and what the schedule looks like

The Montauk Fall Surf Fishing Classic takes place over three weekends in October. The exact dates shift slightly year to year, but the tournament typically opens the first or second weekend of the month and concludes by the end of October. Each weekend runs Friday through Sunday, though some years may include Thursday or extend into early November depending on the lunar cycle and ocean conditions.

Fishing hours are usually dawn to dusk, which in October means roughly 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., though you should confirm the exact times when you arrive, as they shift by a few minutes each day. Weigh-in closes at a set time — often 7 p.m. — and fish brought in after that window will not be counted. Plan to finish fishing at least 30 minutes before weigh-in closes to account for the walk back from the beach and any line at the scale.

Entry fees, prizes, and how daily weigh-ins work

Entry is not free. You pay a daily fee each time you fish — typically $25 to $40 per person per day, though the exact amount varies by year. You do not need to commit to all three weekends; you can fish one day or all nine days, and each day's entry is separate. Fees go toward prize money, which is distributed based on daily rankings.

Fish are weighed and ranked by size within each day's entries only. If you catch a 35-pound striped bass on Friday, you compete for Friday's prize pool against everyone else who fished Friday. Saturday's anglers form a separate competition. This structure means you have nine separate chances to win rather than competing against the entire tournament field. Prize money typically goes to the top three or five finishers each day, with larger payouts for heavier fish. Some years include a "big fish" prize for the largest single catch across all three weekends.

Weigh-in happens at a designated location — usually a beach access point or parking area in Montauk — where tournament staff operate the scale. You must bring your fish whole and intact; filleted or damaged fish are typically not may be able to access. Bring a cooler with ice to keep your catch fresh between landing it and weigh-in.

What to bring and how to prepare for Montauk's fall conditions

October in Montauk means water temperatures in the low 50s and air temperatures that can range from the 40s to the 60s depending on the day and time. Bring layers: a base layer that wicks moisture, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a waterproof outer shell. Waders are not required — many anglers fish wet in shorts and a shirt — but they keep you warmer and drier if you wade into the surf. Neoprene waders rated for 50-degree water are standard for fall fishing here.

Bring a sturdy cooler with plenty of ice, a measuring tape or ruler to verify fish size at weigh-in, and a headlamp or flashlight if you plan to fish the first or last hour of the day when light is low. Sunscreen and polarized sunglasses help you spot fish in the shallows. A net makes landing fish easier and reduces injury to the fish if you plan to release non-keepers. Bring more water and snacks than you think you will need; the beach offers no services, and you will be standing and casting for hours.

Parking at Montauk fills quickly during the tournament, especially on weekends. Arrive early — before dawn — or plan to park at a secondary lot and walk. Some access points charge a parking fee; have cash on hand. Check the tournament information or local Montauk fishing reports the night before to learn which beaches are most productive that day, as conditions shift with wind and tide.

Tackle and techniques that work in fall surf

Striped bass in the fall shallows respond to live bait and artificial lures. Live bunker (menhaden) and live eels are the most effective baits; both are available at local tackle shops in Montauk. If you use live bait, fish a simple rig: a two-hook spreader with a sinker heavy enough to hold bottom in the current, or a single hook on a sliding sinker rig. Cast and let the bait work; striped bass will find it.

Artificial lures — large plugs, metal swimmers, and soft plastics — work well for anglers who prefer casting. Use lures in the 4- to 8-inch range, in colors that match local baitfish: silver, white, chartreuse, or dark patterns. Cast parallel to the beach or into deeper water and retrieve steadily. The key is covering water; striped bass are moving through, so you need to present your lure to fish that are passing by.

Tide matters. Fish feed most aggressively during the last two hours of the incoming tide and the first two hours of the outgoing tide. Check the tide table for Montauk before you fish, and plan your day around the strongest feeding windows. A rising tide pushes baitfish into the shallows, which concentrates striped bass. An outgoing tide pulls them back out, but the current creates feeding zones at drop-offs and structure.

Community and what to expect from other anglers

The Montauk Fall Surf Fishing Classic draws a mix of people: locals who fish the point year-round, visiting anglers from across the Northeast, and people trying surf fishing for the first time. The atmosphere is competitive but welcoming. You will see experienced anglers sharing information about what is working, where fish are feeding, and which beaches are producing. Newcomers are generally encouraged to ask questions and watch how others approach the water.

The tournament creates a sense of shared purpose. Everyone is fishing the same water on the same days, and the daily weigh-in becomes a gathering where you see what others caught, hear stories about the day, and plan for the next one. It is a good opportunity to build connections with other people who fish to eat and who value the skill and patience that good fishing requires.

How to find out more and register for a specific year

Information about the Montauk Fall Surf Fishing Classic is published by local fishing organizations and tackle shops in Montauk. The Montauk Chamber of Commerce and local fishing clubs often promote the tournament and post dates and rules. Tackle shops like Tight Lines Tackle and The Fishing Shack in Montauk have details about entry fees, weigh-in locations, and any rule changes from year to year.

You can also check with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for information about striped bass regulations and tournament rules. Striped bass have specific size and possession limits in New York; the tournament may have additional restrictions. Confirm the minimum keeper size and daily limit before you fish, as these can change year to year based on stock assessments.

Show up at the weigh-in location on the day you want to fish, pay the entry fee, and you are in. There is no pre-registration required, which makes it easy to decide day-by-day whether conditions and your schedule align.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fish all three weekends or can I fish just one day?

You can fish as many or as few days as you want. Each day has its own entry fee and separate prize pool, so you might fish only the weekend that works with your schedule or try all nine days. There is no commitment beyond the daily fee.

What is the minimum size striped bass I can keep?

New York's minimum keeper size for striped bass is 18 inches. The tournament may have its own rules, so confirm with the weigh-in staff when you arrive. Fish below the legal minimum cannot be weighed and will be released.

Can I fish with a friend and split the prize money if we win?

Each entry is individual, so you and your friend would each pay separate entry fees and compete separately. If you both catch fish, you both get weighed in. Prize money goes to the person whose name is on the entry, so you would need to decide how to split any winnings between yourselves.

What if the weather is bad — do they cancel the tournament?

The tournament typically runs rain or shine, though dangerous conditions like severe storms or high surf may close beaches. Check with the tournament organizers or local tackle shops the morning of the day you plan to fish if conditions look questionable. Your entry fee may be refunded or credited if a day is cancelled.

Is there a size limit on fish, or do bigger fish always win?

Prizes go to the heaviest fish each day, so yes, bigger fish win. There is no upper size limit in the tournament itself, though New York has regulations on striped bass harvest. A 40-pound striped bass would beat a 30-pound fish, assuming both are legal keepers.