New Jersey Surf Fishing Guides

LBI ocean water temperature · Sandy Hook ocean water temperature · New Jersey fall striper run timing

Please read to understand our migration strategy and research.

Understanding the Fall Striper Migration

Striper Tracker follows the fall migration in stages. First, ocean temperatures in northern waters help signal the beginning of the southbound movement. Our migration model then estimates when the leading edge reaches locations farther down the coast. As temperatures continue dropping into favorable ranges, additional waves of striped bass can arrive, building the local run. Once the migration is underway, our daily and hourly forecasts help identify the best fishing opportunities using water temperature, tides, moon and light conditions.

The Arrival

The migration tracker estimates when the leading edge of the southbound run reaches a town. Arrival does not necessarily mean peak fishing.

The Building Run

Additional striped bass may continue moving through that location for weeks as ocean temperatures cool. A status such as “Run Past” or “Possible South” refers to the leading edge moving south, NOT the end of the local fall run. Cooling can improve seasonal opportunities within favorable temperature ranges, but continued cooling can eventually reduce local opportunities.

The Daily Bite

Once migrating fish are present, local water temperature, tide, moon, and light conditions influence feeding opportunities. The existing four-period and 24-hour forecasts help fishermen identify favorable fishing times. These forecasts remain separate from the migration-arrival model.

The Research Behind Striper Tracker

Striper Tracker is built on extensive research into striped bass migration, scientific tagging studies, NOAA ocean-temperature records, seasonal cooling patterns, and environmental factors that influence feeding behavior. We combine this research with current ocean-temperature observations and established fishing principles to develop our migration outlooks and daily fishing forecasts.

Explore Our Research & Methodology

The migration tracker tells you when the run begins. Cooling temperatures help explain how it develops. Daily and hourly conditions help you decide when to fish.