A Thermos, a Tackle Bag, and Just One More Cast

Updated October 31, 2026 • Weather and tides for Sunday, November 1

Fall fishing has a way of turning “I’m just going for an hour” into a very flexible arrangement. You pack a few plugs, pour some coffee and promise yourself you’ll be home at a reasonable time. Then something breaks the surface, and suddenly the rest of the day can wait.

With that spirit in mind, let’s work our way down the coast—from the Bayonne waterfront to the sand at Island Beach State Park.

Up north, Bayonne Bait and Tackle had word of striped bass and blackfish in its October 26 report, although bunker and green crab supplies had been uneven after rough weather. That update is older than the beach reports below, so a quick call to the shop would be worthwhile before making it your first stop. Nobody wants to arrive with a grand fishing plan and discover the bait has other plans.

Across the harbor, Tackle World reports bunker and bass around Staten Island. In Raritan Bay, Tackle Box points to shads, jigs and flutter spoons; Julian’s Bait and Tackle reports heavy-shad catches in the Reach Channel.

Along Sea Bright and Long Branch, Giglio’s and Tak Waterman describe better boat action on live bunker, with surf bass mostly after dark. There’s your excuse to leave the dinner dishes for later.

Continuing south, Fisherman’s Den reports blackfish at Shark River Inlet, and The Reel Seat reports them at Manasquan. Charlie’s Bait and Tackle notes scattered surf bass around Normandy Beach.

As we reach Barnegat Bay, the picture gets a little murkier—literally. Creekside Outfitters and Hook House Bait & Tackle report striped bass, but Creekside says dirty water has complicated the bite. It’s worth giving the water a good look before unloading the whole tackle collection. Kayak-specific catches weren’t confirmed in this round of reports.

Now for Seaside Park and Island Beach State Park, where Grumpys Tackle has a wonderfully uncomplicated message: “GO NOW!!!”

You have to admire a fishing report that gets straight to the point.

The shop reports large striped bass in the area, with bunker chunks, live eels, jointed gliders and swim shads producing catches. Its update includes surf fish taken on bunker and eels, while blackfish are keeping things interesting around local rock piles and bay structure. That’s plenty of reason to check the leaders, straighten out the plug bag and finally remove that ancient sandwich wrapper.

Hook House adds that plugs and darters have been taking bass from Seaside into the state park. At Barnegat Inlet, white poppers have produced bass, and green crabs have been getting attention from blackfish.

Over at Betty & Nick’s, Friday’s beach check described clean, green water at 59°F, roughly one-foot shoreline waves and 3–4 ounces holding bottom. Some bass and small blues were in the mix. It’s an inviting picture: a rod in the sand, a little wash rolling up the beach and just enough activity to keep you watching the tip. Those were Friday’s observations, though; the next tide gets to write its own report.

Sunday’s weather gives us something pleasant to work with. The National Weather Service forecast for Toms River calls for partly sunny skies and a high near 61°F.

For the boat crowd, New York Harbor is forecast to have north winds around 5 knots, turning west during the afternoon, with waves one foot or less. From Sandy Hook to Manasquan, expect north winds 5–10 knots, turning west in the afternoon, and seas around 2 feet. Farther south through the Island Beach area, the forecast is north winds 5–10 knots with seas around 2 feet. Check conditions at your actual launch, especially if your boat happens to be a kayak.

And before setting the alarm, remember that the clocks fall back overnight. Sunday’s daytime tide times below are Eastern Standard Time.

At Sandy Hook, NOAA predicts a morning low at 6:20 a.m., high water at 12:43 p.m. and another low at 7:27 p.m. At Barnegat Inlet, inside, it’s 6:20 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7:32 p.m., respectively. Use the tide station closest to your spot, and remember that high or low tide doesn’t necessarily mean slack current.

Fill the thermos, bring a little patience and leave some room in the schedule. “One more cast” has never been a reliable unit of time.