Striper Tracker Fall Migration Report | November 5, 2026

Town Focus: Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Big striped bass are dominating recent fishing reports along the Central Jersey coast, from Monmouth County through Seaside Heights, Island Beach State Park, and Long Beach Island. Anglers are reporting fish exceeding 40 inches, with some approaching 50 inches. Large bunker schools are fueling much of the action.

Do Big Stripers Migrate First?

Research shows that larger striped bass are more likely to undertake long coastal migrations. One Massachusetts study found larger fish leaving an estuary before juveniles. However, science has not established that big stripers consistently lead the entire fall migration south.

What we do know is that big fish are already feeding along Central Jersey beaches.

What Does Striper Tracker Say?

Striper Tracker recently showed Sandy Hook at 10% migration progress and Watch Hill, Rhode Island, at 25%.

These percentages measure progression through an established ocean-temperature range, not the number of fish that have migrated.

Water temperature is a major driver of the fall migration. As coastal waters cool through that range, the tracker advances, forecasting the progression of the southbound run.

The Best Is Still Ahead

The big stripers are here, and more fish are expected as the migration continues south.

The current catches around Seaside Heights and neighboring beaches are exciting, but Striper Tracker's temperature-based forecast indicates that the main fall migration conditions are still ahead for this stretch of the Jersey Shore.

The big fish are here. The fall run is building. And the best part is still ahead.

Follow the migration: https://stripertracker.com/fall-striper-migration-map/