Bay tog and perch bite holds as stripers hold back

What's biting

What's next

Tides are the planning tool this week. The CO-OPS station shows low water near 5:47 AM local and high near 12:22 PM local today, so the afternoon incoming push into the high is the cleaner window for drifting channels and working creek mouths.

If cooler nights keep trimming that 68°F reading, expect the striper presence to build. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf notes stripers to 48 inches in the back bays around Cape May, and one outlet described a blitz at Hereford Inlet, so the fish are within reach of the lower bay. Per The Fisherman (Northeast), the NJ/DE Bay forecast also points to a big striper in the surf, and the report hints that more may follow. Weakfish and bluefish are the near-term fillers, per Golden Eagle Fishing in The Fisherman — Northern NJ, which reported small blues and weakfish just off the beaches.

Wind decides much of this. Several shops describe a stretch of rough weather, so check the marine forecast before committing to open water.

Context

Mid-October is the changeover period on the bay. Summer species such as kingfish and croaker thin out as the water cools, while tautog, striped bass and bluefish typically take over. Tog usually come on strong around structure and jetties as temperatures fall. Cape May shops, per The Fisherman — Southern NJ, already report plenty of keeper-size tog from local wrecks and reefs. Check state regulations for tog and striped bass seasons and size limits before harvesting.