False Albacore in East Hampton & Montauk: The Speed Demon of the Surf

False Albacore in East Hampton & Montauk: The Speed Demon of the Surf

False albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus), also known as albies, little tunny, or "hard tails," are one of the most electrifying fish to catch in the waters off East Hampton and Montauk. Renowned for their blistering speed, drag-screaming runs, and aggressive feeding behavior, albies are a favorite target among light-tackle and fly anglers. Though not prized for their table quality, they offer some of the most thrilling inshore fishing experiences in the Northeast.

How We Catch Them

False albacore are fast, finicky feeders that chase small baitfish near the surface, making them an exciting but sometimes frustrating challenge. The best techniques for targeting them include:

• Casting Small Metals & Epoxy Jigs that imitate the rain bait they are feeding on, such as silversides, bay anchovies, and sand eels.

• Fly Fishing with Clouser minnows, epoxy flies, and other small baitfish imitations, making for an adrenaline-filled fight on a fly rod.

• Trolling & Sight Casting when schools are busting bait near the surface, particularly in the fall run.

Albies are commonly found just offshore, in rips, and along beaches, with hotspots including Montauk Point, Shagwong, and the waters off Gardiners Island. They are most active at dawn and dusk when they ambush baitfish near the surface.

Migration Patterns

False albacore are a migratory species, arriving in the waters around Montauk in late summer and peaking in the fall (September–November). They migrate northward with warming waters and follow baitfish schools down the coast as temperatures drop. Their arrival signals the start of Montauk’s famous fall blitzes, when massive schools of albies, striped bass, and bluefish push bait into a feeding frenzy.

The False Albacore Fishery

Unlike their tuna relatives, false albacore are not highly valued as food due to their dark, oily meat. However, they are a top-tier sportfish, offering blistering runs and unmatched excitement on light tackle. Many anglers practice catch and release, as albies are known to be delicate and require careful handling to ensure survival after a fight.

Chasing albies off Montauk is an obsession for many anglers, offering some of the most exciting light-tackle fishing on the East Coast. Whether watching them explode on bait in the surf or hooking into one on a fly rod, catching a false albacore is an unforgettable experience that keeps anglers coming back every fall.