Striper push builds across Jersey as bunker show up
Water temperature at the CO-OPS station sits at 64.8°F, and the fall run is taking shape. Per The Fisherman — New Jersey edition, striped bass reports are coming from Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties, with adult bunker popping along the oceanfront. That sets the table for plugging action. Back in the bays, cooler nights have improved the sod bank bite on soft plastics and topwater. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf relays a Cape May area report of stripers on the sod banks and bridges taking soft plastics on 3/8-ounce leadheads, including fish from 40 to 46 inches and a 48-incher. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) says the striped bass season is in full swing. Tautog is the other dependable bite. One Stop Bait and Tackle in Atlantic City reports a strong chew off the jetties on greenies and sand fleas, and Riptide Bait and Tackle in Brigantine says green crabs are finding keeper-class tog.
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The nor'easter pattern that has dogged the coast is the main variable. Several Fisherman reports mention storms cutting trips short, and Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ has moved to striped bass trips with a 7:00am to 2:30pm sailing. Capt Ron notes the water had to come down from 59 degrees before bass settled in locally, so the current 64.8°F reading at the station suggests the Raritan Bay side may lag the south.
If the cooling trend continues, expect more bass to follow the bunker north. The Fisherman — Northern NJ reports stripers and baitfish moving into northern waters, and Miss Belmar Princess switched both boats to striped bass after good fishing north of the inlet. Tackle to have ready, per Capt Ron: a bunker snag, a second rod rigged with bait for bunker pods, large shads, and jigs in 47, 27 and 67 sizes.
The First Quarter moon puts the best light at dusk, and evening plugging near bunker schools is worth a look. Night anglers at Atlantic City report bass on soft baits and plugs off the rocks. Fishing from boats still means plenty of black sea bass. Per Capt Ron, many are short, so plan on culling through them. The Fisherman — Central NJ says Mary M IV limited out on sea bass nearly every day. Fluke are lingering, with Fishermans HQ LBI noting some still in the bay and inlet. Check state regs before harvesting, since size and bag limits change seasonally.
Context
The calendar is on schedule for mid-October. Bass typically arrive in the bays first, then the oceanfront as bunker and bay anchovies move through. Fishermans HQ LBI notes bay anchovies in the water and beach temperatures holding in the mid-60s. Tog usually peak as water cools, and bag limits typically rise in mid-November, a point Ol' Salty II's captain raised in The Fisherman — Northern NJ. Weakfish are a late-season bonus in the surf, with spikes showing alongside kingfish at Beach Haven per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf. Bluefish remain in the mix, mostly small fish off the beaches according to Golden Eagle.
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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