Belmar Striped Bass Fishing: October-December
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target trophy Striped Bass from October through DecemberCatch Gator Blues, Albacore, Bonito, and potential Bluefin TunaAccommodates up to 6 guests on highaction inshore charters
When the water starts cooling down along the Jersey Shore, something magical happens. The striped bass fishing in Belmar turns absolutely hot, and our October through December charter puts you right in the middle of the action. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to land that trophy striper you've been dreaming about while the fall migration is in full swing. With Nearfall Fishing Charters, you'll fish the prime waters where these bass stack up before heading south, and trust me, they're feeding aggressively before winter sets in.
Picture this: crisp fall mornings, fewer crowds on the water, and striped bass that are absolutely loaded with bait. From October through December, Belmar becomes a striper highway as these fish migrate south along our coast. You'll be targeting these beauties in 20 to 60 feet of water, where they're ambushing schools of bunker, herring, and sand eels. The best part? This isn't a one-trick pony trip. While stripers are your main target, you've got serious shots at gator bluefish that'll test your drag, plus the bonus chance of hooking into albacore, bonito, or even a bluefin tuna if Lady Luck is smiling. Our boat handles up to 6 anglers, so you've got plenty of room to work without bumping elbows, and everyone gets their fair share of rod time when the bite is on.
We're talking serious inshore fishing here, not just throwing lines and hoping. During these fall months, we'll be running a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us. Live bunker is absolutely deadly when the bass are keyed in on baitfish, and we'll fish them on circle hooks to give you the best shot at a clean hookup. When they're being finicky, we'll switch to fresh chunks or work some bucktails and soft plastics around structure. The beauty of this time of year is the versatility – one minute you're drifting bunker chunks in 40 feet, the next you're casting poppers to breaking fish on the surface. We fish the inlets, the shipping lanes, and those productive ledges where the bass love to set up ambush points. The water temperature is key during these months, and we're constantly watching our electronics to find those sweet spots where the bait is stacked and the bass are feeding.
Striped bass are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These fall fish are thick, healthy, and aggressive after a summer of feeding. We're talking about bass ranging from keeper-sized 28-inchers all the way up to those heart-stopping 40-plus-pound cows that make your reel scream. The best action typically happens during the last two hours of incoming tide and the first hour of the drop, when these fish move up shallow to feed. What makes October through December special is the mix – you'll catch slot fish perfect for the dinner table alongside trophy-class stripers that'll give you stories for years. The gator blues we're seeing are absolutely massive too, with fish pushing 15 to 20 pounds that'll smoke drag like you wouldn't believe. And here's the kicker – when conditions are right and the water temperature holds, we've been connecting with albacore and bonito that are following the same bait schools. Some trips even produce bluefin tuna, which is like hitting the fishing lottery right here in our backyard waters.
Striped bass are why you're here, and these fall fish are something special. During October through December, we're dealing with bass that have been feeding all summer and are now bulked up for their southern migration. These fish are incredibly aggressive because they know winter is coming, and they need to pack on weight. A typical fall striper will fight harder and longer than the same fish in spring – they're just built different this time of year. The magic happens when water temps drop into that 55 to 65-degree range, which triggers their feeding response like a switch. You'll find them anywhere from 15 to 80 feet of water, but the real action is usually in that 30 to 50-foot zone where they can trap baitfish against the bottom structure.
Bluefish during this period are absolute beasts. We're not talking about those snapper blues you catch in summer – these are full-grown gators with teeth like razors and attitudes to match. Fall blues can easily hit 15 pounds or more, and they'll cut you off in a heartbeat if your leader isn't up to the task. What makes them so exciting is their pure aggression. While a striper might take its time and think about your bait, a gator blue will smash it and immediately head for the horizon. They school up tight during migration, so when you find one, you've usually found a pile of them.
The bonus species are what separate good trips from great ones. Albacore tuna show up when water conditions are just right, usually when we've got that blue water pushed in close to shore. These fish are speed demons – pure muscle that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. Bonito are similar but smaller, and they'll absolutely destroy light tackle if you're up for the challenge. The bluefin tuna are the holy grail though. When they show up, it's usually in mixed schools with the albacore, and landing one of these football-shaped torpedoes will make your whole season.
Look, I've been guiding these waters for years, and October through December consistently produces some of our best fishing of the entire year. The crowds are gone, the fish are feeding hard, and you've got multiple species to target on every trip. This is prime time striped bass fishing combined with the excitement of never knowing what
Hit the waters off Belmar aboard this well-equipped 6-person fishing boat, perfectly rigged for chasing striped bass during peak fall and winter months. The vessel comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate those bass schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus VHF radio to stay connected. Between fighting fish, you'll appreciate the onboard kitchen for prepping snacks, refrigerator to keep bait fresh, and a proper head when nature calls. The multimedia system keeps spirits up during slower stretches. From October through December, these waters come alive with trophy stripers, aggressive bluefish, speedy albacore, and if you're lucky, maybe even a bluefin tuna. The boat handles Belmar's inshore waters with ease, getting you to productive fishing grounds quickly while keeping your group of six comfortable for those longer sessions when the bite is hot.
Belmar, NJ