Best Moon Phase and Tide for Striped Bass →
Striped bass fall run timing by state
The striped bass fall run moves south along the coast from late summer into December. Exact timing shifts every year with water temperature, bait and storms, so treat the dates below as typical windows, not a schedule. For this week's conditions, check the live map.
Typical fall run timing
| Area | Typical window | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Maine and New Hampshire | Run starts around the end of August into early September; peak late September to early October | On The Water + TackleDirect |
| Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut | Peak late September to early October | TackleDirect |
| Long Island | Mid-October to early November; the East End usually winds down by the end of November, while Fire Island to the New York Bight often holds past Black Friday | TackleDirect + The Fisherman |
| Northern New Jersey (Raritan Bay, Monmouth County) | Migrating schools usually arrive by late October, on top of resident fish already feeding in September | TackleDirect + On The Water |
| Southern New Jersey and Delaware | Late November into December; a big early-fall storm can push it back to around Thanksgiving | TackleDirect + On The Water |
| Maryland and Virginia | Fish reach their wintering areas in December | TackleDirect |
These are general seasonal patterns described by fishing writers, not current fish sightings, predictions of a specific arrival date, or guaranteed fishing conditions.
What moves the run
Falling water temperature, baitfish such as mullet, bunker and peanut bunker, and storms can affect fall-run timing. See the striped bass water temperature guide for temperature ranges.
Striper Tracker's own experimental model: We watch for Boston offshore buoy 44013 to reach a 7-day average of 62°F or cooler on or after October 1. By that stage the main southward push may be underway. In a Massachusetts tagging study, about half the tagged fish departed by a week averaging about 62°F. This is a model signal, not proof that every fish has left. The forecast uses a 15 miles/day model pace, tuned to typical timing, not measured fish speed. This is a Striper Tracker forecast convention, not a measured migration speed or confirmed fish presence.
Track it live
Use the Striper Tracker homepage map to check available NOAA buoy water-temperature observations, moon phase and wind. Check the observation timestamps; buoy temperatures can be offshore rather than in the surf.
FAQ
When does the run reach New Jersey?
Northern New Jersey commonly sees migrating striped bass in late October, with southern New Jersey often later in November. These are typical seasonal windows, not verified arrival dates.
What water temperature starts the run?
There is no universal trigger for every fish. Striper Tracker uses a seven-day average of 62°F at Boston buoy 44013 as a model signal, not a verified departure or arrival.
Does the moon matter?
Moon phase affects tidal patterns and can influence fishing conditions. It does not establish when migrating schools reach a particular beach.
Is this a fish report?
No. The timing windows and model estimates are not live fish sightings or confirmed catches.
Which beaches does the app cover?
Striper Tracker maps coastal locations from Cape Cod to Cape May, including New Jersey surf beaches. The state-by-state guide provides broader regional timing context.