1 month ago · Updated 2 weeks ago
The Jersey Shore is entering peak fall fishing season, with a surge of activity both inshore and offshore as water temperatures cool and baitfish move through the region. Anglers are reporting a diverse mix of catches from the surf, bays, reefs, and canyons, making this an exciting time to fish the coast.
Weekly Catches
The catches below cover the last 7 days.
Striped Bass
Striped bass action is ramping up, especially in the central and northern Jersey Shore zones. Early October brings a rush of big fish, with the best bites often coming at night. Monmouth County and Ocean County are seeing increased activity, with more and larger bass reported in Raritan Bay and the Manasquan River. Anglers are having success using soft plastics and live spot around bridges and in the Point Pleasant Canal. Surf anglers are finding bass feeding on mullet and peanut bunker in the wash, with the bite expected to intensify as the fall run progresses.
- Notable catches of sizable stripers in Keansburg and at night in the Manasquan River.
- Resident bass are active in the bays and inlets, especially on mullet and peanut bunker.
- Nighttime fishing is producing the best results, especially around bridges and canal structures.
Black Sea Bass
The fall sea bass season just opened with a 10-fish bag limit at 12.5 inches, and the bite has been excellent on local reefs and wrecks in 50–80 feet of water. Anglers are reporting "drop and reel" action, with many boats reaching their limits. The best areas include reefs off Long Beach Island (LBI), Belmar, and Brielle. Both bait and jigs are producing, and there are still some triggerfish mixed in from the late summer bite.
- Boat limits of sea bass reported in 80 feet of water off LBI.
- Triggerfish are still present on some reefs and wrecks.
- Action is best as the ocean calms after recent swells.
Yellowfin Tuna & Offshore Species
Yellowfin tuna action remains strong offshore, with chunking, jigging, and popping all producing fish. The Bacardi and Triple Wrecks are the main hotspots. There are also reports of mahi-mahi, bigeye tuna, and white marlin from the Hudson Canyon and Texas Tower areas. Offshore trips before the recent storm saw consistent catches, with live peanut bunker giving anglers an edge.
- Consistent yellowfin catches at Bacardi and Triple Wrecks.
- Mahi-mahi and bigeye tuna reported from the Hudson Canyon.
- Chunking, jigging, and popping are all effective techniques.
Blackfish (Tautog)
Tautog (blackfish) fishing is very good at inlet rocks, jetties, and the Point Pleasant Canal. The best bites are coming from anglers using green crabs and sand fleas near riprap and rocky structure. Reports indicate a mix of shorts and keepers, with some days producing better at the inlets than inside the bays.
- Solid blackfish action at Manasquan Inlet and Point Pleasant Canal.
- Green crabs and sand fleas are the top baits.
- Some keepers caught at the rocks, with mixed results inside the bays.
Bluefish
Bluefish are present along the surf, mostly in the form of snappers and cocktail-size fish. These blues are targeting schools of mullet and other baitfish in the wash. Anglers are catching them on mullet rigs and small lures. There are also reports of blues mixed in with striped bass in the surf and rivers.
- Best action on mullet rigs and small metals in the surf.
- Blues are mixed with bass in the Manasquan River and surf zones.
Kingfish
The kingfish bite continues to be steady along the surf, especially with small mullet strips, bloodworms, and Fishbites. While not red hot, the action is dependable, and surf temperatures near 70°F are keeping them active. There is also a chance of catching a pompano or two mixed in with the kings.
- Bigger kingfish are coming on small mullet strips.
- Bloodworms and Fishbites are also effective.
- Occasional pompano reported in the mix.
Other Notable Catches
There are still a few fluke (out of season) being caught tight to the wash, and blowfish are tapering off as fall progresses. Spot are likely exiting soon. The fall transition is in full swing, with rain bait, bay anchovies, and spearing present in the bays and surf, attracting a variety of predators. There is also a chance for late-season false albacore on small metals and epoxy jigs.
Weather & Marine Conditions
Early October brought big swells from offshore hurricanes, but both systems stayed out to sea, causing only rough surf and minor beach erosion. The groundswell is now settling, and the surf is running 2–3 feet with improving conditions. The weekend forecast looks excellent, with dropping swell, sunny skies, and light winds, providing a prime window for both surf and boat anglers.
Tides & Solunar Activity
The bay is cooling faster than the ocean, with bay temperatures in the low to mid-60s and surf temperatures holding near 70°F. These conditions are ideal for fall migrations and baitfish movement, which in turn spark feeding frenzies for predators like striped bass and bluefish. Anglers should watch for tide changes and bait movement, especially during early morning and evening periods.
Fishing Conditions & Tips
With the fall transition underway, anglers should focus on structure such as inlet rocks, jetties, and reefs for blackfish and sea bass. Surf anglers should target the wash and troughs for bass, blues, and kingfish, especially where baitfish are present. Offshore trips should be timed with calmer weather windows for tuna and mahi. Keep epoxy jigs and small metals ready for possible false albacore blitzes. Night fishing is especially productive for striped bass in rivers and canals.
Regulations & Notices
The fall sea bass season is open with a 10-fish bag limit at 12.5 inches. Anglers targeting striped bass with bait must use circle hooks to improve release survival. Always check the latest New Jersey fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures, as changes may occur. There are ongoing discussions about future Your one-stop hub for tides, catches, and weather — tailored to your favorite fishing spots Jersey Shore Loading... --°F Loading... Temperature --°F Feels like Range: --°F / --°F Wind -- mph Direction: -- Quality: -- Precipitation -- in Chance: --% Status: -- Humidity --% Relative humidity Comfort: -- Pressure -- inHg Trend: -- Level: -- UV Index -- Level: -- Protection: -- Visibility -- mi Distance visible Quality: -- Water Conditions --°F Water temperature Waves: -- ft 24-Hour Forecast
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