Photo by Milt Rosko

Shortly after spawning each spring, striped bass vacate their winter quarters in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays and the Hudson River. Some fish move through Long Island Sound as they migrate, while others traverse the open waters of the Atlantic. Sooner or later, they all pass Montauk, Long Island, as they head to the waters of New England and Canada's Maritime Provinces for the summer.

As a result, Montauk has developed a reputation of providing visiting anglers with the world's best striped bass fishing, no idle boast. The thrilling striper fishing builds momentum during May and June, with a repeat performance in October and November as the fish head back to their winter quarters.

Montauk is at the tip of New York's Long Island, with Block Island Sound to the north and the broad Atlantic Ocean to the south. The waters teem with forage species, such as menhaden, herring, bay anchovies, mullet, spearing, sand eels and squid. Linesiders can gorge on a variety of forage species and add weight after a winter of hibernation.

Anglers may choose from a variety of ways to catch America's favorite saltwater game fish. There's a sizeable fleet of party and charter boats and one- or two-angler guide boats. Or you can trailer your own boat because there are many launching ramps available. Also, many of the marinas in Lake Montauk's harbor have transient slips available.

Boatmen enjoy trolling, live-bait fishing and deep jigging. There's also sight-casting to cruising stripers, which is perfect for the fly-caster.

Surf-fishing for stripers at Montauk is great, too, with gorgeous beaches, some studded with massive boulders, and other areas with miles of picturesque sand. Then, too, there is the challenge of fishing from the rocks beneath the famed Montauk Lighthouse, built in 1796, where currents clash and linesiders school up to feed.

Montauk is a cozy community that caters to tourists and especially to recreational fishermen.

For boat fishermen, the end of West Lake Drive is where the action is. There are 34 charter boats that sail from Lake Montauk, a dedicated group of captains who are members of the Montauk Charter Boat Association. Their president is Captain Jack Passie, who may be reached at (631) 668-5741.

A fine fleet of party boats sails from the docks, including those of the Viking Fleet, which also has ferry service from New London. (Call (631) 668-5700 for more information.) To assure being on the water at optimum times, any of these captains will give you up-to-the-minute information relative to sailing times, which occasionally vary based on tide conditions.

On West Lake Drive and Star Island are numerous marinas that have transient slips should you come by boat, or launching ramps should you decide to trailer your rig. The Gone Fishing Marina, at (631) 668-3232, has a fine launching ramp that we've often used, and the staff is ready with a wealth of information on local hotspots that are producing best.

Transients with big boats often tie up at the Montauk Yacht Club, at (631) 668-3100, which has excellent shore-side accommodations and dining. Nearby is the Star Island Yacht Club and Marina at (631) 668-5052. Both of these marinas can be reached off West Lake Drive on Lake Montauk.

When you sail aboard party, charter or guide boats, you can sit back and relax. Should you fish from your own craft, you'd be best served to seek the counsel of local anglers. Johnny Kronuch of Johnny's Tackle Shop in Montauk is an excellent source of information. Ditto for the staff at Freddie's Bait & Tackle at (631) 668-5520.