In Week 2 of our 2026 Striper Migration Reports, OTW’s Matt Haeffner and Johnny McIntyre discuss ideal water temperatures for spawning stripers in Chesapeake Bay, a noticeable improvement in South Jersey’s resident striper bite, and holdover activity ramping up in Connecticut and Rhode Island despite some unstable conditions and low water temperatures. Plus, we get the scoop on back bay striper action in southern New Jersey from Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters out of Ocean City.
The first day of spring came and went, but the Northeast is still struggling to shake free of Old Man Winter’s grip. With water temperatures remaining mostly stagnant since last week, the arrival of river herring from New Jersey to New England has fueled much of the early season fishing so far.
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