Montauk fishermen report fewer striped bass

Fishing for striped bass in Montauk, New York, is becoming harder for the people who rely on the sport for their livelihoods and identity. For decades, anglers have driven to the tip of Long Island to catch these predatory fish, but recent reports indicate that the population is shrinking. This shift is affecting not just the hobbyists, but the professional guides who have spent careers mastering the local waters.

Bill Wetzel, a guide with more than 25 years of experience, says he has not witnessed a feeding frenzy in four years. He describes the current situation as a lack of small fish to replenish the population. Wetzel noted that the only fish remaining are the large ones, which suggests the ecosystem is not cycling new generations into the water. He fears this trend could lead to a repeat of the mid-1980s collapse that forced a fishing shutdown.

Jason Markowitz, an IT professional and former president of the Montauk Surfcasters Association, swims to offshore rocks to fish. He says the effort is only worth it if the fish are present, but they are increasingly rare. Markowitz compared the current scarcity to finding the last of the buffalo. He stated that while some people are still catching fish, the abundance that defined the location for years is fading.

John Skinner, a 65-year-old author and YouTube creator, has fished these waters since childhood. He observes a decline in both striped bass and their prey, such as menhaden. Skinner, who has been chasing these fish for 55 years, described the current state of the industry with two words: it sucks. He often leaves his prime spots on the North Fork empty-handed, a stark change from his early days fishing with his family in the 1970s.

John Mahan has been fishing in Montauk since 1987. For the first time in four decades, he has not caught a single striped bass. He recalled the 1980s and 1990s as spectacular times when fish were plentiful. Mahan believes the solution may be to stop fishing the area entirely for a period, even though it goes against his instincts. He noted that the lighthouse and beautiful conditions still draw him in, but the fish are not there to match the scenery.

Scientists attribute the decline to human-caused and environmental changes that put the $8 billion industry at risk. The species can grow to more than 50 pounds, but the lack of small fish to feed on is a primary concern for local experts. The community, once known as a small drinking village with a big fishing problem, has changed over the decades. It has become harder to distinguish from the wealthy Hamptons enclaves nearby, yet fishermen say it still holds a unique identity.

Wetzel said he still loves the location and the ocean. He pointed to the surf as the reason he continues. The decline represents a shift in the local culture and the natural balance of the Atlantic coast. Anglers are now watching the water more closely, logging every seam and current, hoping to find signs of recovery in a tradition that feels under threat.