We’re just about in our summer patterns, but there is one “migration moon” left with the June 30 Full. When the bass settle into areas for the summer, they’ll move around locally, following abundant bait schools and comfortable water temperatures.
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Maryland/Chesapeake Bay Striper Fishing Report
Resident bass in the Chesapeake and Ocean City Inlet will have to give Maryland anglers their striper fix until the first southbound fish arrive sometime in November.
New Jersey Striper Fishing Report
Reports of larger bass in southern New Jersey have waned as fishermen focus on resident fish in the backwaters and inlets. Fishing night tides from the surf may reward anglers with a few straggling migrators, but for the most part, the 2026 spring striper migration has left Atlantic and Cape May counties behind.
Surf anglers are still finding larger bass from Barnegat Inlet north. As more of the fish settle into summer patterns, presentations like sand fleas are becoming the most effective tactic from the beach. From the boats, there was less talk about big stripers this week, but the arrival of bluefin tuna and an improved fluke bite may have affected angler effort, but there’s no denying, the run is slowing down. The migration shouldn’t be over in Northern New Jersey just yet.
New York Striper Report
Like New Jersey, the South Shore of Long Island is slowing down. The main body of bass is moving east, settling in off Montauk. Long Island Sound continues to fish well, but again, the fish are pushing east.
Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Striper fishing remains good in Connecticut, and with more bunker moving into the Sound, fishing has been very good in some places.
Some of the largest stripers of the season are in Rhode Island, both the mainland and Block. An abundance of sand eels and squid are keeping the big bass fat and happy for the moment.
Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Report
On Cape Cod, the stripers have settled in around Monomoy Rips, where big numbers are feeding on sand eels and squid. Things have settled down in Cape Cod Bay and the Canal, and the Outer Cape is seeing more action.
There are big numbers of big bass over deep water north of Cape Cod, many hanging beyond the three mile line. Many of these fish will move in and out from these waters throughout the season as baitfish abundance and water conditions change.
New Hampshire/Maine Striper Report
Bass are still feeding on herring in the Great Bay tributaries in New Hampshire. In Maine, the rivers, bays, and ocean have big stripers eating sand eels, herring, and mackerel.