If you have ever been to Montauk Point, there is no denying the extraordinary beauty that the entire town holds. When you find yourself standing on the eastern tip of LI, looking ahead at the vast ocean that lies in front of you, you can feel pretty small. But some pretty big things happen in those waters, most notably during the fall months, when a natural phenomenon that has occurred for millions of years rolls right across our doorstep, and it is a wonder to behold-millions of fish brush against the point on their way south for the winter, creating a fishing wonderland that is unparalleled anywhere.

Montauk is a fisherman’s paradise, period. Whether you are a boat person or a surfcaster, you can find your quarry somewhere near Montauk. Sometimes, it is really easy to catch a decent fish when the conditions are similar to what is described above. However, you still need to know where to go and what to do once you get to Montauk Point. Here are some tips:

Boat or Beach? Fishing the Montauk surf is not for the faint of heart, especially when the fall arrives. Expect crowds worse than Disney World, and each person slinging a fishing rod like a wild person, especially if the fish are biting. Plus, the rocks and surf under the lighthouse can make for a pretty terrifying and dangerous place. If you are committed to surfcasting, be practiced and prepared. Have all the gear that is necessary. If you are planning on rock hopping, be sure to have Korkers on your boots or waders. Make sure your tackle is stout and ready for a big fish. And practice casting in adverse conditions. You will find that to catch one, you may have to cast right into a stiff wind while only a foot away from another angler. If this is not your speed, there are many excellent boats to fish from in Montauk. They will put you on the meat.

Have Your Permits If you plan on fishing at night, make sure you have your permit. Contact the New York State Parks for information.

Move Around There are miles of beautiful beach in Montauk. Don’t limit yourself to one place. The fish swim, and they are found in many places.

Leave The Small Stuff Home This is not a place for thin rods and weak reels. Expect to see a lot of action. It won’t happen every time, of course, but it will happen a good deal of the time. As far as baits or plugs, that depends on what is hitting. Sometimes the fish are on tiny rain bait like anchovies. That is when the fly guys can do real well. Generally, poppers and pencil poppers can be productive during the day from the beach, with darters being a good nighttime choice. Always bring bucktails, too.

Do Your Homework With so many resources available online to fishermen, why not do some research on where to go and what to bring. Once there, fine tune your approach.

Montauk is an angler’s paradise. You will be hard pressed to find a truck or car without a fishing rod visible in that town. Be one of them this fall, and make the pilgrimage to what many fishermen call Montauk in the first place: Mecca.