New Jersey fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. This is the best time of year on the Jersey Shore. The striper run is starting, the bunker are in the surf, and the bluefish are everywhere. The new moon this weekend brings strong tides.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are moving along the beaches and into the inlets, feeding on bunker and mullet. Bluefish are in the surf and the inlets, false albacore are around Barnegat and Manasquan, fluke are on the wrecks, and tautog (blackfish) are on the jetties and wrecks. Weakfish and kingfish are possible at the piers.
Where to Find Them
Barnegat Inlet, Manasquan Inlet and Island Beach State Park are the places to start for stripers and bluefish. Sandy Hook holds stripers and blues. The jetties hold tautog, and the nearshore wrecks hold fluke and sea bass.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings stronger tides. The surf can be rough with a northeast wind, which stirs up the bait and the predators. The inlets run hard on the outgoing tide, and the fish gather at the mouth.
Tackle & Tactics
Cut bunker, bucktails and swimming plugs work for stripers. Metal lures and poppers are good for bluefish and false albacore. For tautog, use green crabs or Asian crabs on a small hook. For fluke, use a bucktail with a strip of squid.
For anglers without a boat, the piers and the jetties along the shore offer good access. The Manasquan Inlet jetties are productive at dawn and dusk, but be careful on the wet rocks and watch the incoming waves.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Island Beach State Park, Manasquan Inlet, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park and Sandy Hook. Fish are concentrating at the inlets and the bait schools. Check current New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Be ready for fast action. When the bunker show up, the stripers and blues follow. Keep your gear rigged and ready.
More New Jersey Resources
All New Jersey fishing reports · Seasonal fishing calendars · Submit your own report
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