Weakfish in East Hampton & Montauk: The Elusive Inshore Prize

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), known for their beautiful iridescent coloration and delicate, flavorful meat, are a prized catch in the waters around East Hampton and Montauk. Though their populations have fluctuated over the years, weakfish remain a sought-after species for anglers who enjoy light-tackle fishing and the challenge of hooking this elusive inshore predator.

How We Catch Them

Weakfish are opportunistic feeders and can be caught using a variety of techniques, including:

• Drifting & Jigging with soft plastics, bucktail jigs, and metal spoons, especially in areas with strong tidal movement.

• Live Bait Fishing using shrimp, sandworms, or small baitfish like spearing and peanut bunker.

• Trolling with small diving plugs or tube rigs along channel edges and sandbars.

Weakfish tend to favor deeper channels, estuaries, and inshore waters with sandy or muddy bottoms. They are often caught in areas like Napeague Bay, Gardiners Bay, and Peconic Bay, where they follow schools of baitfish during the warmer months.

Migration Patterns

Weakfish are a migratory species, moving into Long Island’s inshore waters in late spring as water temperatures rise. They remain in the bays and coastal waters throughout the summer and early fall, feeding heavily before migrating offshore and southward as temperatures drop.

The Weakfish Fishery

Weakfish populations have experienced significant ups and downs due to environmental factors and fishing pressure. Because of this, they are closely regulated, with size and bag limits designed to support stock recovery. Conservation efforts are critical to maintaining a healthy weakfish fishery in the region.

Despite their name, weakfish are known for their strong initial runs but have soft mouths, requiring careful handling during the fight to avoid pulling the hook. Their mild, sweet-tasting meat makes them a favorite for ceviche, grilling, and pan-searing, though many anglers choose to release their catch to help the population rebound.

For anglers lucky enough to find them, weakfish provide an exciting and rewarding challenge in the waters off East Hampton and Montauk. Whether drifting a soft plastic through a tidal rip or casting a jig into a school at sunrise, catching a weakfish is a special experience that keeps dedicated anglers coming back season after season.