Tog and stripers keep the Delaware Bay fall run building
Water is 67°F at NOAA station 8557380, and the fall run is building. Big Dave's Tackle reports tautog from the Cape May Jetties on green crabs and sand fleas, stripers mixed into bay catches, and only scattered weakfish in the greater bay. Pier 47 Marina says stripers fed most nights in the back bays, even in creeks with 3 feet of water, on minnows, mullet and peanut bunker.
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Offshore, The Fisherman's marine report quotes a forecast with seas easing to 3 to 4 feet Wednesday and Thursday and winds from the W/SW near 10 knots, the window to plan around once the bay settles.
Smith's Bait Shop reported boats could not get out on Delaware Bay during the rough seas. Old Inlet Bait and Tackle's blues came on metal lures during incoming water, and today's tide gives an ebb from 5:48 to 11:32 AM EDT, with the next flood starting at the 11:32 AM low.
Fin-Atics reports stripers on sod banks and bridges at night. Eric Burnley reported red drum up to 40 inches in the surf, caught and released, though weekend wind and rain cut that bite.
Context
Water in the mid-60s is typical for Delaware Bay in early October as fall cooling sets in. The fall striper movement generally builds through the month as bait pushes out of the estuaries. Bluefish and weakfish usually thin out as the water cools, so their current scattered reports fit the seasonal phase.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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