Sea bass fill the box off Sandy Hook as fluke season closes out
NOAA's Sandy Hook station is reading 63°F this afternoon with the next low tide due around 4:40 PM. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands closed out fluke season on a high note, describing a Friday session of shorts, keepers, and quality sea bass right before nine straight weathered-out days at the dock. Blue Chip Sportfishing backs up the bottom bite, saying sea bass charters are "doing very good" with most trips filling the box for everyone aboard, and reporting three released mako sharks from a recent trip. Up the bay, NJ Fish & Wildlife News' Shark River Access highlight notes that WMA has been holding tautog, bluefish, and striped bass alongside summer flounder all season, and Grumpys Tackle is timing a bucktail sale to the fall run building behind it.
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What's biting
What's next
Fluke season is closing out under state limits around this time of year, so Capt Ron's strong final session reads as the last chapter rather than a sign of more keeper flatfish ahead; check current regs before targeting them. Sea bass should keep carrying the bottom bite for now, with both Blue Chip Sportfishing and Capt Ron's describing full-box trips this week.
Striped bass are the one to watch. OTW Northern New Jersey's latest report calls the fall run stagnant so far but expects the bite to sharpen once conditions settle, and Grumpys Tackle's bucktail promotion signals shop-level confidence that the turn is close. Post-storm reports carried by The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf note tautog and bluefish holding at newly exposed structure along the surf, another reason to expect both to firm up this week.
With today's low tide around 4:40 PM and a waning gibbous moon keeping the swing modest compared to a new or full moon, the better windows fall around the surrounding tide changes into evening. Heading into the weekend, give any lingering weather from this stretch time to clear before committing to a longer bay or ocean run.
Context
Late September on Raritan Bay and around Sandy Hook is the usual hinge point between summer and fall fisheries, with sea bass and closing fluke giving way to the striped bass and bluefish push that typically strengthens through October as bait clears the back bays. Tautog picking back up after a blow fits the normal seasonal pattern here rather than signaling anything unusual. The fall run is being described as running a touch behind its usual pace regionally, but nothing in this week's reports points to a broader delay specific to Raritan Bay itself.
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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