Best moon phase and tide for striped bass
Stripers feed hardest when the water is moving. The new and full moons bring the biggest tides and strongest currents of the month, so they tend to produce the best bites. But the right tide for your spot still matters more than the calendar. (Field & Stream; Flylords)
Next moon dates
| Moon event | Next date (Eastern time) |
|---|---|
| New moon | October 10, 2026, 11:50 AM EDT |
| Full moon | October 26, 2026, 12:12 AM EDT |
Official lunar event times from the U.S. Naval Observatory (converted to U.S. Eastern time). The next dates refresh automatically on this page from a verified 2026–2027 schedule; the initial HTML contains the verified October 2026 dates.
Why the new and full moon matter
New and full moons bring spring tides with the largest tidal exchange and stronger currents. The first and third quarter moons bring neap tides with weaker exchange, which can mean slower fishing in some locations. (Field & Stream)
Field & Stream recommends concentrating effort on the few days around each new or full moon, with darker new-moon nights offering an advantage for some night surfcasting situations. (Field & Stream)
Moon-tide periods occur roughly every 14 days. A Montauk captain describes his personal best window as two days before a new or full moon to five days after, attributing much of that success to stronger currents rather than moonlight alone. (The Fisherman)
Which tide stage to fish
Moving water generally offers better opportunities than slack water, though productive times depend on each location. At many surf beaches the last half of the incoming and first half of the outgoing are worth targeting; inlets and strong-current spots can fish well near peak flow. (Flylords)
A practical starting window is about two hours before high tide through the first one or two hours of outgoing water. Record tide, moon, wind and catches so you can learn what works at your beach. (Flylords)
Even during a moon tide, prioritize the tide stage that works at your particular spot over the moon calendar alone. (Field & Stream; Flylords)
How Striper Tracker uses the moon
The moon phase contributes 10% to Striper Tracker’s experimental Fall Run Migration Index. Tide is displayed separately on the homepage map and is not scored yet. This score estimates environmental conditions; it does not establish that striped bass are present.
FAQ
Is the new moon or full moon better for stripers?
Both can be productive because both generate stronger spring-tide currents. The best choice depends on the place and tide stage rather than a universally superior phase. (The Fisherman; Field & Stream)
What tide is best for striped bass in the surf?
At many beaches, the last half of incoming water through the first half of outgoing water is a useful starting point. Strong-current inlets and individual beaches may behave differently. (Flylords)
Are neap tides bad for striper fishing?
They typically bring weaker tidal exchange and can lead to slower fishing, but they do not make a catch impossible. Tide stage and local structure still matter. (Field & Stream; Flylords)