1 month ago · Updated 5 days ago
Forked River, located on the Barnegat Bay in southern New Jersey, offers anglers access to diverse inshore and nearshore fisheries. As autumn progresses, local charters and marinas are shifting focus from summer fluke to fall favorites like striped bass, tautog, and offshore tuna.
Weekly Catches
The catches below cover the last 7 days.
Striped Bass
With cooling bay temperatures and the recent nor’easter, the striped bass bite has improved in the backwaters and around local bridges. Anglers are finding success with topwater plugs, soft plastics, and bloodworms, especially during early morning and sundown hours. Charters out of Forked River are preparing for the fall run, with trips targeting stripers scheduled through November.
- Best action reported around bridges and backwater channels.
- Effective baits include bloodworms, clams, eels, and soft plastics.
- Topwater plugs have produced active fish post-storm.
Tautog (Blackfish)
The tautog bite has turned on at inlet jetties and rocky structures following the nor’easter, with fish up to 23 inches being landed on green crabs. The cooler water temperatures have triggered aggressive feeding, and land-based anglers are reporting excellent catch rates during late afternoon hours.
- Jetty and inlet rocks are producing tautog to 23 inches.
- Green crabs are the preferred bait.
- Peak bite observed between 4–6pm.
Bluefish
Anglers working the nearby inlets and beaches are connecting with bluefish in the 1–5 pound range. Soft plastics and metals fished during peak tide stages have been productive. While numbers are moderate, the bite remains consistent for those targeting moving water.
- Bluefish caught along Barnegat Inlet and adjacent beaches.
- Soft plastics and metals are effective lures.
- Best results during incoming and outgoing tides.
Fluke (Summer Flounder)
The fluke season has just closed, but a few late-season catches up to 7 pounds were reported near the lighthouse and southern jetty prior to the shutdown. Live mullet, spot, and peanut bunker were the top baits. Most fluke have moved out, and numbers have dropped sharply.
- Largest recent fluke reported at 7 pounds.
- Hotspots included the lighthouse and southern jetty.
- Live mullet, spot, and peanut bunker were most effective.
Blowfish & Kingfish
Local blowfish grounds continue to produce steady catches, with some anglers boxing over two dozen fish per trip. Kingfish are also present, often caught alongside blowfish and spot. Clam and bloodworm baits are working well in these areas.
- Blowfish and kingfish caught in back bays and near inlets.
- Clam and bloodworm baits recommended.
- Spot also present in mixed catches.
Yellowfin Tuna
Offshore charters out of Forked River are gearing up for the fall yellowfin tuna bite, though recent trips have been limited by weather. When boats have made it out, chunking with butterfish and sardines has been highly effective, especially when fish are holding deeper.
- Chunked butterfish and sardines are top offshore baits.
- Yellowfin trips planned for October and November.
- Weather windows remain a challenge for offshore runs.
Weather & Marine Conditions
The recent nor’easter brought rough seas and high winds, with waves reaching up to 13 feet offshore. Bay temperatures have dropped by nearly 5 degrees, spurring increased activity for species like striped bass and tautog. Calm periods following the storm have provided brief but productive fishing windows.
- Bay water temperatures now near 60°F.
- Anglers are advised to monitor marine forecasts for safe conditions.
Tides & Solunar Activity
Peak fishing activity has coincided with incoming and outgoing tides, especially for bluefish and tautog. Local tide charts are available for Forked River, and anglers are encouraged to plan trips around these periods for optimal results.
- Best bites reported during moving water.
- Consult local tide charts for precise timing.
Fishing Conditions & Tips
With the transition to fall, artificial lures such as topwater plugs, bucktails, and soft plastics are producing well for striped bass. For bottom species like tautog, green crabs remain the bait of choice. Offshore anglers should prepare chunk baits for tuna and monitor wind forecasts closely. The mullet run is winding down, but fresh bunker schools have appeared, offering new opportunities for surf and bay anglers.
- Use green crabs for tautog on rocky structure.
- Try bloodworms, clams, and eels for striped bass.
- Chunk butterfish and sardines for yellowfin tuna offshore.
- Monitor weather and tide conditions for best results.
Regulations & Notices
Anglers should note the recent closure of the fluke season and prepare for the upcoming sea bass opener. Active dredging is underway in several local channels, including Holiday Harbor, Skippers Cove, Waretown Creek, and South Harbor. Boaters are advised to proceed with caution and maintain no wake speeds near dredging equipment. Fishing licenses are required for all anglers in New Jersey, and updated regulations can be found through the NJ Fish & Wildlife Department.
- Fluke season is now closed; sea bass opens soon.
- Dredging operations active in multiple Forked River-area channels.
- Use VHF Channel 4 for marine construction coordination.
- Fishing licenses required; check for current regulations.
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