Cape May tog and sea bass shine as Delaware Bay stripers hold back

What's biting

What's next

Striped bass are the story to watch. Per The Fisherman — Southern NJ, Pier 47 Marina anglers found clean, green water in the Wildwood back bays, with bone or blue Mag Darters taking stripers to 29 inches by day and fish crushing bait at the surface at night. Dark paddletails or smaller topwater baits fit that after-dark window. Hands Too Bait and Tackle also passed along word of back-bay stripers in the 40 to 46 inch range, plus an honest bass blitz at Hereford Inlet. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf notes the beaches are still waiting on the first keeper stripers.

Capt Ron's in Atlantic Highlands noted that water temperature still has to come down for stripers to settle in locally, and we're seeing that same pattern here. Boulevard Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle reported the beachfront stripers just aren't there yet, and the coming weather may keep boats tied up. Check with the shop or captain before driving to the dock.

For timing, the CO-OPS predictions put high tide at about 1:25 AM local and the next low near 7:35 AM, based on the UTC times for 8537121. Tide changes at first light are worth planning around for back-bay stripers. The moon is a waxing crescent, so dark nights favor the night topwater and paddletail bite.

Context

Mid-October is typically when Delaware Bay shifts from summer bottom species to the fall striper run. Kingfish, croakers and weakfish linger as the water cools, while tautog move onto structure and sea bass hold on wrecks and reefs. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf also notes blackfish biting well on green crabs and sand fleas around jetties. The big striper push usually builds as water temperatures slide and northerly winds arrive, so the next cold snap is the one to watch. Check state regulations before keeping any tautog or sea bass, since limits and seasons change through the fall.