Stripers dominate Sandy Hook as Memorial Day weekend opens

What's Biting

What's Next

Several Northern NJ captains are betting on the Memorial Day temperature swing to break the sea bass impasse. Capt. Steve Spinelli of Skylarker told The Fisherman — Northern NJ that four 90-degree days leading into the holiday should give inshore water temps the push they need. Capt. Rick Falcone of Golden Eagle echoed the same outlook, and Capt. Al Shin of Miss Belmar Princess noted the combination of the first quarter moon and warming conditions should heat up the action heading into June.

Striped bass remain the dominant story at Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook through this weekend. Bunker schools are actively reported in northern NJ waters per JB Kasper in The Fisherman — Northern NJ, keeping bass feeding and aggressive around tidal movement. Clam baits continue to work best during daylight hours, while metal lip swimmers and glide baits at Bug Light shine after dark. Jersey Jellies have also been productive around the tip of Sandy Hook, per the Tackle Box in Hazlet via The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf.

Fluke action is stirring but needs another few degrees to really take hold. Capt. Joe Rizzo of Barnegat Bay Fishing Charters noted via The Fisherman — Central NJ that the water is still too cold for consistent fluke action, though he is optimistic about the warming stretch heading into the holiday. OTW Northern New Jersey (May 21) reports backwater fluking is beginning to pick up. Outgoing tides in back bay channels and the Keansburg Pier area offer the best early-season odds for a keeper right now, with Gulp baits and killie combos the go-to presentation.

Bluefish are mixing into the Sandy Hook bite, and the timing lines up with regional spread. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported bluefish arriving across southern New England for Memorial Day weekend, and fish already showing at Sandy Hook suggest NJ is tracking slightly ahead of that northward curve. As warmer water pushes up the coast, expect choppers to show in greater numbers along the beachfront and rip lines.

Sea bass should gradually improve as surface temps climb toward 60°F. The Big Mohawk III's captain told The Fisherman — Northern NJ he is watching for a wind shift from south to northeast to push warmer offshore water inshore. That shift, combined with the sustained warmth in the Memorial Day forecast, could make a real difference within the next 7 to 10 days. For now, bottom anglers on party boats should expect fair ling fishing alongside mixed sea bass that are largely undersized.

Context

The 55°F water reading at buoy 44065 on May 25 falls within the typical range for outer Raritan Bay in late May, which normally runs between 55°F and 62°F depending on prevailing winds. South winds warm inshore water quickly; persistent northeast winds can hold temperatures down by keeping colder bottom water near the surface.

The striper season's arc this year is running at or slightly above historical norms. OTW Northern New Jersey's May 14 report noted the striper bite had slowed in Raritan Bay but was picking up on the beaches, the classic late-spring transition as fish move out of the bay and stage along the beachfront before dispersing north. The Fisherman (Northeast) described this spring's migration as a 20- to 30-pound push the likes of which they haven't seen in many years, suggesting above-average intensity along the entire Northeast corridor this season.

Sea bass underperformance in early-to-mid May is not unusual for this region. The species needs consistent temperatures above 60°F to feed aggressively at inshore depths, and a cool spring delays that bite year after year. Multiple Northern NJ captains comparing this season to last year are noting noticeably fewer keepers, a pattern that typically corrects itself once June water temperatures stabilize.

Bluefish showing up at Sandy Hook during Memorial Day weekend is on schedule or slightly early. The species historically arrives in NJ coastal waters in late May, and individual fish mixing into striper catches at the tip is consistent with the typical northward migration timing for this date.

Fluke in early-season spotty mode is completely normal for this area. The season is open, but consistent keeper action in bay and backwater locations typically does not materialize until late May through June as water temperatures firm up. The Tackle Box in Hazlet noting a few fluke at Keansburg Pier via The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf is a positive early signal that the bite is beginning to build.