When striped bass are here
Striped bass fishing out of Highlands runs in two windows: spring, from April into early May, and the fall run, from the last week of October through Christmas. This page covers when the fish are here, where local boats run, the structure they work, and how they fish it.
For the port itself, see Highlands. General striped bass biology and tactics are in the striped bass guide. This page covers only this port.
| Window | Timing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | April into early May | Sea Tiger II |
| Fall run | Last week of October through Christmas, weather permitting | Captain Ron’s |
Spring
Sea Tiger II lists striped bass from April into early May. Both windows follow the coastwide migration, which the Northeast striped bass guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide) covers.
The fall run
Captain Ron’s puts the fall run from the last week of October through Christmas, weather permitting. Sea Tiger II names the fall run as its striper period, so the two sources agree on this window.
Where boats run
Captain Ron’s works Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, which means three kinds of water, each fished a little differently:
- The channels: the lanes boats use to move between the bays and the ocean.
- The bay: open water in Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay.
- Down the beach: the run south along the oceanfront.
Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay
"Between the channels" means the water between the marked lanes. Captain Ron’s jigs and bait fishes there, in the bay, or down the beach. The fishing is in the gaps, not in the channel itself.
Down the beach
Down the beach means running south along the oceanfront. It connects to the reef: The Fisherman names Sandy Hook Reef, off Sea Bright, and the adjacent Shrewsbury Rocks as striper ground. Before running the ocean side, check the NWS coastal waters forecast for wind, wave height and period.
Grounds and structure
The Fisherman’s Sandy Hook Reef page names Sandy Hook Reef and Shrewsbury Rocks as striper ground. The wrecks sit on the Sandy Hook artificial reef.
| Ground | Type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Hook Reef | Reef, 1.4 nautical miles off Sea Bright | 40 to 60 feet |
| Shrewsbury Rocks | Rocks, adjacent to the reef | Not listed |
| V.L. Keegan | Tanker, artificial reef | 60 feet |
| Pocono | Schooner barge wreck | 60 feet |
The reef and wrecks show on the Chart Contours layer in the app. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Sandy Hook Reef
The reef sits 1.4 nautical miles off Sea Bright and runs 40 to 60 feet. It anchors the ocean-side ground.
Shrewsbury Rocks
Shrewsbury Rocks lies adjacent to the reef. The Fisherman names it as striper ground.
V.L. Keegan and Pocono
The V.L. Keegan is a tanker on the Sandy Hook artificial reef, at 60 feet. The Pocono is a schooner barge wreck listed on the Sandy Hook artificial reef chart, also at 60 feet. Both sit at the deep end of the reef’s 40 to 60 foot range, where deeper-water jigs belong.
How it is fished locally
Captain Ron’s jigs and bait fishes between the channels, in the bay, or down the beach. Its tackle list covers both:
- Bunker snags: to collect bait.
- A bait rig: to fish that bait.
- Large shads: an artificial option.
- 47, 27 and 67 jigs: for deeper water.
Jigging
The 47, 27 and 67 jigs are listed for deeper water, which points to the 60-foot wrecks and the deep side of the reef. Large shads are the other artificial on the list.
Bait
Snag bunker, then fish it on the bait rig. Hook and handling rules are on the state regulations page below.
Who fishes them
These charters list striped bass and fish these waters, so their reports are worth following for patterns. Several sail from nearby ports, not Highlands proper.
- Sea Tiger II with Captain Hagaman: the boat is Sea Tiger II, with Captain Hal Hagaman. It lists spring and the fall run.
- Captain Ron’s Fishermen site: the boat is The Fishermen. It is the source of the season, methods and tackle above.
- Dark Horse Charter Fishing site: a 62-foot boat named Dark Horse.
- Prowler 5 fishing reports: the boat is Prowler 5, with reports signed by Capt. Scott and Capt. Jack.
FAQ
When is striped bass fishing out of Highlands at its peak?
There are two windows. Sea Tiger II lists April into early May, and Captain Ron’s puts the fall run from the last week of October through Christmas, weather permitting. Sea Tiger II names the fall run as its striper period.
Where do boats fish stripers out of Highlands?
Boats work Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, including the channels, the bay and down the beach. The Fisherman also names Sandy Hook Reef and Shrewsbury Rocks as striper ground.
How deep is the Sandy Hook Reef?
The reef runs 40 to 60 feet and sits 1.4 nautical miles off Sea Bright. The V.L. Keegan and Pocono both sit at 60 feet.
What jigs work for stripers here?
Captain Ron’s lists 47, 27 and 67 jigs for deeper water. The same list includes large shads, bunker snags and a bait rig. A tackle list doesn’t promise fish; it only narrows what to bring.
What else is around when the stripers are?
This page covers only striped bass. Other species are in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
