01The Fish
False albacore (also called "little tunny," "albies," "fat alberts," or confusingly "bonita" in some regions) are not true albacore — they're in the genus Euthynnus, closely related to bonito and skipjack tuna. Compact torpedo bodies, sharp forked tails, and a distinctive set of squiggly worm-like dark markings on the upper back (the easiest way to tell them from bonito, which have straight stripes).
Adults run 5 to 15 pounds on the East End. The flesh is dark red and oily; while edible if bled and seared rare, they're famously not great table fare compared to bonito. The fishery is almost entirely catch-and-release light-tackle sport.
02When & Where
August. First fish trickle in late August, often mixed with bonito. The Point and south side beaches start producing.
September – October. Peak. This is the run. Schools push west from the canyons in dense pods chasing bay anchovies and peanut bunker. Surface blitzes happen daily around Montauk Point, off Camp Hero, and along the south side bars. Some years the schools push as far west as Mecox.
November. Trailing fish, often mixed with stripers and bluefish on the same bait. Schools spookier, harder to approach. Cold pushes end the run.
03How to Catch Them
Albies are the purest run-and-gun fishery on the East End. You don't go fishing for albies — you go hunting them.
Spot the school. Find the diving terns, the surface boil, the rolling backs. Approach quietly from the upwind side. Do not motor into the school.
Cast through the edge. Long casts with small heavy metals, soft plastics, or epoxy jigs. Fast retrieve. Albies are speed-feeders; if your lure isn't moving, they won't eat it.
Release fast. Use barbless hooks when you can. Don't drag them out of the water for photos. Get them back swimming before lactic acid build-up kills them.
Easiest tell: albies have wavy, worm-like markings on the upper back; bonito have straight diagonal stripes. Albies don't have visible teeth; bonito do. Both run at the same time on the East End — often in mixed schools.
Lures That Work
- Albie Snax soft plastics
- Hogy Epoxy Jigs (1.5 – 2 oz)
- Deadly Dicks (size 1)
- Small Kastmasters
- Surfcaster ResinJet
Tackle
- Fast-action 7-9' spinning rod
- 4000-5000 size reel, smooth drag
- 20 lb braid + 20 lb fluoro leader
- Fast retrieve ratio (6:1+)
04Regulations · NY 2026
Current regulations as of the May 12, 2026 NYSDEC update. Always verify before keeping fish — regs change.
- False albacore is not specifically regulated by NY DEC marine regulations — no minimum size, no bag limit, no closed season.
- Most are released voluntarily — table fare is poor compared to bonito.
- License required: NY Marine Registry (free) for recreational anglers 16+.
- Verify: DEC marine regs page before keeping fish.
Albies build lactic acid fast under stress. If you're going to release: use barbless hooks, keep them in the water, support them upright while reviving until they swim off strong. A fish caught and lifted for a Hero photo often doesn't survive.
05The East End Calendar
- Aug (late): First mixed-in fish. Often hard to find.
- Sept: Peak builds. Daily blitzes around the Point and south side.
- Oct: The run. Run-and-gun all day, every day. Match the hatch.
- Nov (early): Trailing fish. Quieter but quality.