Montauk: knothead sea bass, 6.1-pound blackfish and jumbo porgies off Block Island

Viking Fleet captains out of Montauk reported steady fall bottom fishing on Monday, Oct. 26.

Aboard the Viking Star, Capt. JR said sea bass fishing was solid, with plenty of big "knotheads" through the morning and everyone getting what they needed. The blackfish bite was picky until the tide turned, then paid off for anglers who stuck with it. Miguel Rodriguez won the blackfish pool with a 6.1-pound tautog, and Jiancong Chen won the sea bass pool with a 5.4-pounder.

On the Viking Starship, Capt. Dave started with a drift near Block Island in tough conditions before heading offshore for a couple of hours of mixed-bag action that included plenty of mackerel. The bite slowed later in the day. Martin Tejeda of New Haven, Connecticut, won both pools, with a 3.5-pound porgy and a 4-pound sea bass.

The fleet also reported a strong night squid trip on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Photo: An angler with two black sea bass aboard the Viking Star on Oct. 26. Credit: Viking Fleet.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Viking Fleet — Mon Oct 26 – Blackfish & Seabass (Oct. 26, 2026); also Mon Oct 26 – Block Island Fall Jumbo Porgies & Knothead Sea Bass.