When striped bass are off Cape May
Striped bass fishing out of Cape May runs in two windows: a spring slam and a fall run. The Fisherman puts the spring slam in late April through May and the fall run from mid-October through Thanksgiving. Boats work both from Cape May and run to the Cape May Rips. For biology and migration, read our striped bass species guide. For the regional view, see the Atlantic Northeast striper picture (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
Spring slam
The spring slam runs late April through May and is the bucktail season (see spring bucktails below).
Fall run
The fall run starts in mid-October and goes through Thanksgiving. Eels and slimers carry it (see fall eels and slimers below).
Running to the Rips
The Cape May Rips sit about 5 miles from Cold Spring Inlet, with the Cape May Canal as the other route. Fishing the Cape May Rips is a short run from Cape May. For inlet and canal notes, see the Cape May port page. Check the NWS coastal waters forecast before you leave the inlet.
| Route | Distance to the Rips |
|---|---|
| Cold Spring Inlet | About 5 miles |
| Cape May Canal | Alternate route |
Cold Spring Inlet
The run through Cold Spring Inlet is about 5 miles to the Rips.
Cape May Canal
The Cape May Canal is the alternate route to the Rips.
Grounds and structure
The Rips shoals fish in about 30 ft. That depth is approximate and varies by shoal. Chart layers are not for navigation.
The Rips shoals
Boats work these named shoals on the Cape May Rips:
- Eph
- Prissy Wicks
- Somer
- North
- Gunmount
- Round
- Overfalls
- Middle
Cape May Artificial Reef
The Cape May Artificial Reef lies about 8.5 nautical miles off Cape May and is the nearest named structure among the port’s grounds.
Farther offshore
Wilmington, Baltimore, Poorman’s and Spencer canyons are the port’s offshore grounds. They are not striper water. Baltimore Canyon is about 65 miles out, per Saltwater Pros. We cover them in our coastal and offshore gamefish pages.
How stripers are fished here
Methods follow the season.
| Season | Method | Bait |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Drifting bucktails, 1 to 4 ounce | Herring or mackerel strips |
| Fall | Drifting | Eels and slimers |
| Both seasons, per charter listings | Live bait drifting | Live bait |
Spring bucktails
In spring, boats drift 1 to 4 ounce bucktails dressed with herring or mackerel strips.
Fall eels and slimers
Eels and slimers are the fall baits.
Live bait drifting
The Miss Chris and Hook N Cook listings name live bait drifting.
Who fishes for them out of Cape May
These Cape May charters list striped bass:
- Miss Chris Boats striped bass. The vessel is The Miss Chris.
- Hook N Cook Sport Fishing
- Legal Limit Charters out of Utsch’s. Captain T.J. sails from Utsch’s Marina.
FAQ: striped bass fishing out of Cape May
When is the fall run off Cape May?
The fall run goes from mid-October through Thanksgiving. The spring slam runs late April through May.
How far is the run to the Cape May Rips?
It is about 5 miles through Cold Spring Inlet. The Cape May Canal is the other route.
Which shoals do boats fish on the Rips?
Boats fish Eph, Prissy Wicks, Somer, North, Gunmount, Round, Overfalls and Middle shoals. The depth is about 30 ft.
What bucktail weight do anglers use in spring?
Anglers drift 1 to 4 ounce bucktails dressed with herring or mackerel strips.
What bait is used for fall stripers?
Eels and slimers are the fall baits. The Miss Chris and Hook N Cook listings also name live bait drifting.
Where are the rules for striped bass fishing out of Cape May?
The NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife sets them. See the Regulations section above and check the agency before fishing.
