Striper run lingers off the Jersey Shore after a storm reset

What's biting

What's next

Expect the bite to stay patchy but capable of producing quality fish. Predicted tides give a clear plan. At the Atlantic City station the next high is around 9:33 AM local, with the preceding low near 3:00 AM. At the Cape May station the high is around 10:45 AM, following a low near 4:13 AM. Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ has repeatedly tied its better stretches to the end and change of tide, and described a lull through slack followed by steady action once current got moving. Plan to be on the water for the push of the morning flood.

Grumpys Tackle (NJ) noted in a recent report that local fishing slowed after a good start to the week, and that anglers willing to travel north could find more fish. Their recent reports tied big striped bass to jointed glide baits, metal-lipped swimmers, pencil poppers and large soft plastics, which is a sensible lure box to carry. OTW Northern New Jersey also had tautog in play on nearshore wrecks and reefs when the striper bite is slow, so a bottom rig is a smart backup plan.

A few safety notes. Per NJ Saltwater Fisherman, a new rule requires everyone aboard recreational vessels under 26 feet to wear a securely fastened Coast Guard-approved life jacket between November 1 and May 1, with an exemption inside a cabin. NJ Fish & Wildlife News also reports whales active off the coast, so slow to 10 knots or less when they are nearby and keep a lookout. Check state regulations for current size and possession limits before keeping fish.

Context

Mid-November is typically the back half of the fall migration on the Jersey Shore. Striped bass move through in waves as water cools, so a quiet day after a strong week is common rather than a sign the run is over. Storm-driven slowdowns like the one Fishermans HQ LBI described tend to reset the bite for a few days, and fish often reappear once the water clears and the wind lays down.

A reading of 59°F is on the mild side for this point in the month, which can keep fish and bait moving through the area a little longer. Tautog usually settle onto nearshore structure as the water cools through the fall, and that pattern is a reliable fallback when surf and boat anglers find the striper bite uneven. Crowds also build quickly when word of a good bite gets out, as Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ noted, so patience and a flexible plan matter as much as the lure choice.