Tog and back-bay stripers lead the Delaware Bay fall bite

What's biting

What's next

Water in the mid-50s favors the fall striper movement. The Fisherman (Northeast) reports striped bass in all four coastal NJ counties as the run takes shape, with adult bunker along the oceanfront. That sets the table for plugging action in the coming days, though The Fisherman — Southern NJ notes the true beachfront stripers have not fully arrived.

For timing, the next low at the station is around 9:17 AM local, and the next high around 3:53 PM local. Moving water on either side of those turns is the window to plan around. Night sessions around the bays look best for stripers, with dark paddletails or smaller topwater baits, per The Fisherman — Southern NJ.

Tautog should keep building as the water cools. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf says blackfish are chewing hard on green crabs at Brigantine and Atlantic City jetties, and Cape May wrecks and reefs are producing keeper-size tog and strong sea bass, per Hands Too Bait and Tackle. Weather has been the main limiter this month, so check marine forecasts before committing to open water.

Context

Mid-October is typically when Delaware Bay shifts from late-summer species to the fall mix. Striped bass and tautog move to the front, while weakfish and bluefish thin out as the water cools. This season looks on schedule. Check state regulations for current size and bag limits, since tautog and striped bass rules change through the fall.