Tog and sea bass hold steady as the fall striper run builds

What's biting

What's next

The next high tide at the station arrives around 2:53 PM Eastern, so the afternoon incoming push is the first window worth planning around. Moving water around the tide change is when bait gets pushed along edges, and that is where soft plastics and topwaters have been working in the back bays.

With the water at 60°F and nights cooling, the striper bite should keep building. The Fisherman (Northeast) described adult bunker popping along the New Jersey oceanfront and an improving sod bank bite, which sets up stronger action in the coming days if the weather cooperates. A first quarter moon gives decent evening light, so dusk into early dark is the stretch to favor for topwater and paddletail work.

Several shops flagged an incoming blow, so check marine forecasts before committing to open water. The Fisherman — Southern NJ also noted a shop owner considering pulling the plug on the week, so call ahead before driving to bait shops.

Context

Mid October is the changeover for the bay. Summer species fade, tautog and black sea bass move onto structure, and striped bass begin staging as baitfish leave the creeks and bays. Weather windows, more than fish, usually decide how productive a given week turns out.

Per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, Tautog are chewing on green crabs and sand fleas around jetties and piers, and Hands Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May described very good sea bass and tog action from nearshore wrecks and reefs, with one tog just shy of 10 pounds. That timing fits a typical October tautog start, and bag limits are expected to change in mid-November, so check state regs before harvesting.