Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This New Jersey fishing report covers late October, prime time on the Jersey Shore, with the fall striper migration building and blackfish settled onto the structure. Striped bass are the lead target along the beaches and inlets, bluefish crash bait in the surf, and false albacore and bonito linger in some areas. The conditions to plan around are moving water at the inlets, with tides strengthening as the moon builds toward full, and the low-light windows at early morning and dusk.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass move along the beaches and inlets, bluefish crash bait in the surf, and blackfish sit on jetties, wrecks and bridges. False albacore and bonito are still around in some areas, and fluke are heading offshore.
Expect the striper run to keep building over the next several weeks as water temperatures drop.
Where to Find Them
Fish the inlets at Manasquan and Barnegat on the outgoing tide for stripers. A falling tide pulls bait out of the bays and through the inlets, and stripers hold along the jetties and channel edges to pick it off.
Work the surf at Island Beach State Park for stripers and blues, which travel the beach as they follow the bait. Fish wrecks, jetties and bridges for blackfish, which feed on the crabs, mussels and other hard-shelled food that grows on the structure.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon building toward full, tides are strengthening. Moving water at the inlets is best, and early morning and dusk are prime, since low light lets stripers feed more confidently in shallow water and close to the beach.
Check a current tide chart and marine forecast for the day you plan to fish.
Tackle & Tactics
- Stripers: bunker, bucktails and swimming plugs.
- Blackfish: green crabs or clams on a blackfish jig.
- Gear: a medium-heavy rod with 30 pound braid. Braid’s sensitivity helps you feel the light taps of blackfish, and its strength pulls them away from the rocks before they wedge in.
Bring a variety of lures to match the bait. Fall stripers can key on one size and shape of bait, so carry several profiles: small, slender lures match peanut bunker and mullet, while larger plugs suit bigger bait.
Local Intel This Week
Island Beach State Park offers miles of surf access for stripers and blues, and Manasquan Inlet gives jetty access to the moving water on the outgoing tide. Sandy Hook covers the northern beaches and bay side. Barnegat Light State Park and Barnegat Inlet are other public access points for working the Barnegat jetty and inlet. Striper and tautog rules are specific. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Follow the bait. Peanut bunker and mullet schools often lead you to the stripers. Watch for nervous water, birds working the surface and bait showering at the edge of the wash, and get a lure in front of it fast.
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