Bass blitz fishing is commonly done from boats because anglers can search for and reach the action faster than shore fishermen. The first sign boaters should look for is flocks of hovering and diving birds. As baitfish try to escape blitzing fish they are forced close to the surface and are vulnerable to birds. Boaters approaching this blitz must consider the direction of the tide and wind and place the boat in position upcurrent or upwind depending on which is stronger, stop the engine, and drift into the action.

Birds are not the only clue when searching for blitzes. Many large bass blitzes are not accompanied by birds at all. Some blitzes are so large they are easy to spot from a long distance. Patrol the shoreline in your boat slowly and watch for smaller blitzes close to shore, usually among large boulders. If bass are not crashing bait on the surface, throw a sinking line along the boulders. Bait sometimes corrals against the rock structure, and bass wait to ambush them in deeper water.

When casting to stripers from a boat, never run over the fish. Stop the engine and run on the sea side of teh action.

When fall blitzing activity gets under way and you find some action, it's a good idea to check the same spots on the following days. There is a good chance the spot will be as active as it was the day before.

Remember the tides change 50 minutes later each day. Many Montauk anglers prefer outgoing tides, but you should check productive areas on both sides of the tide. Moving water is the key to successful blitz fishing. The rips, points, and structure where bass feed all season are the same ones to prospect for blitzes. As long as the tide is moving there is a potential for a blitz. Motionless water means it's time to take a coffee break.