Montauk Sea Bass... the only action

Striped bass, false albacore and bluefish blitzing on top, charging bait schools in a feeding frenzy in Montauk, well, not this September. This has been the worst September in my fishing memory. With the exception of a few sporadic fish, there are no fish on top.

So instead of floating around waiting for the fish to show, we bottom fished for sea bass using jigs, which turned out to be a lot of fun. We caught several large sea bass, porgies and fluke that took a jig and we took home dinner that was really enjoyed by all.

If the top water action is slow, try the bottom along the rips and structure and get ready to feel that strike. You never know what you'll get when bottom fishing. This is how we do it.

The gear

Use a medium action rod between 7-8 ft and jigs between 1 - 2oz depending on what is needed to hold bottom. Use a heavier jig to hold bottom if the current is strong or go lighter if conditions are right.

Just about any reel will work for jigging the bottom, the key is to have the drag set so that once you feel the strike you can set the hook. Once you start reeling in the fish, don't stop until the top. If you pump and reel often the jig will dislodge and come off.

A lot of folks that fish for sea bass will use bait or gulp to tip their bucktails or high-low rigs. We kept it very simple using just one jig, no bait and had non stop action through out the tide.

Technique

Drop the jig until it hits the bottom. By the way, this is when often you'll get a strike, if you don't, close the bail and reel up just enough line to keep it tight. Bounce it up and down and get ready to set the hook.

Where to fish

Sea bass and other bottom fish congregate around structure, wrecks, rocks, reefs etc. look for those spots marked on your chart, luckily Montauk offer lots of well known locations for sea bass and other bottom fish. Once you get on the water there is usually a fleet of drifting or anchored boats bottom fishing that will give you an idea of the areas that are working.

We've found some of our favorite spots by pure luck, as we drift we notice fish on the bottom and after dropping jigs we end up marking it because the bite was really good. So try fishing spots you think hold the fish and you may just discover your favorite location.

The next video should give you an idea of how much fun and full of action bottom fishing can be using a jig, and while this was not what came to do, it turned an otherwise terrible fishing day into a great one.

Tight lines!

- Sergio

PS: In the video you see me using a handline to fish, this is an ancient method of fishing, nothing new but it is a lot of fun and a very different feeling. If you want a new challenge give it a shot. However, make sure you use monofilament and that the line is tick enough (50 - 70 lbs) so that it does not easily cut into your hand as you play the fish. You can always wear gloves if this is an issue for you. 🤙