Striper push builds on the Jersey Shore as the fall run starts

What's biting

What's next

Weather is the main variable. Several sources describe recent storms and a stretch of poor offshore weather, and boats have lost days to wind. When a window opens, expect the northern waters to hold the best striper chances, since The Fisherman — Northern NJ reports bass and baitfish moving into northern waters last week.

If the water cools a few degrees, the beachfront bite should fill in. Riptide Bait and Tackle says the beach is still waiting on its first keeper-class striper, and Boulevard Bait & Tackle reported stripers have not yet shown up along the Sea Isle beachfront. The back bays are where the fish are now: Pier 47 Marina anglers found stripers to 29 inches on bone or blue Mag Darters by day, with bait crushed at the surface at night, where dark paddletails and small topwaters worked.

For the surf, kingfish are still taking bloodworms and Fishbites at Beach Haven and Atlantic City per Jingles Bait and Tackle and One Stop Bait and Tackle, with spike weakfish mixed in. Fishermans HQ LBI also reports bluefish and a few out-of-season fluke along the beaches, so a bloodworm rig is a sensible backup while waiting on the bigger bass.

On the waxing crescent moon, the evening and low-light hours are the windows to plan around. Check the marine forecast before any trip and confirm current regulations before keeping fish. Tautog and sea bass limits change through the fall, and The Fisherman — Northern NJ notes the tog bag limit goes up in mid-November.

Context

Mid-October is when the Jersey Shore usually turns toward striped bass, with fish funneling south from New England and the first keepers working the inlets, back bays and surf. This year looks on schedule to slightly early in the back bays, and a little behind on the open beachfront, where warm water is slowing the push.

This is also a transition period for bottom fish. Black sea bass remain productive on the structure, and tautog become the main inshore target as water cools into November. Late-season kingfish and weakfish tend to linger in the surf until the first real cold snap, and Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ pointed to the same pattern when noting the sea bass season winding down and striper fishing opening up for his boat.