It’s a fishing day

Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) fishing conditions · New Jersey

Tomorrow, 2 pm–9 pmStriped bass

The bite peaks at 72. Water is 61°, close to the 62° striped bass like best, and a solunar period lands on the window. Wind builds to 25 mph out of the west by today at 5:00 pm.

Log a trip here
Right now: 49 for striped bass, sit it outTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Striped bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 494 pm
  2. 29
  3. 29
  4. 297 pm
  5. 29
  6. 49
  7. 4910 pm
  8. 49
  9. 29Sun
  10. 291 am
  11. 29
  12. 29
  13. 294 am
  14. 29
  15. 49
  16. 497 am
  17. 49
  18. 49
  19. 4910 am
  20. 49
  21. 49
  22. 491 pm
  23. 72
  24. 72
  25. 724 pm
  26. 72
  27. 72
  28. 727 pm
  29. 72
  30. 49
  31. 4910 pm
  32. 49
  33. 49Mon
  34. 491 am
  35. 49
  36. 49
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
61°F

Striped bass range 50–72°

Wind
20 mph

From the west · rough for small boats

Light
Daylight

Sunset 4:46 pm

Sky
Sunny

1% chance of rain

Air
59°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Steady

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are New Jersey regulations for these waters.

Striped Bass

Striped bass

Morone saxatilis

72Worth the tripTomorrow, 2 pm–9 pm

Water

61°
40°50–72° · ideal 62°82°

Why

Right in striped bass's ideal range. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position. Holds 5–35 ft down.

Keep

28" minimum · 31" maximum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 1 fish at 28–31". Atlantic Ocean 0–3 miles: no closed season; beyond 3 miles closed. Circle hooks required with natural bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New Jersey

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. Likes an incoming tide. More on striped bass

Bluefish

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

60MarginalTomorrow, 2 pm–9 pm

Water

61°
50°60–80° · ideal 70°90°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Inside bluefish's active range. Building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position. Holds 5–50 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. No minimum size. 5 fish a day from shore or a private boat; 7 on for-hire vessels. Open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New Jersey

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. Likes an incoming tide. More on bluefish

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder

Paralichthys dentatus

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

61°
48°58–75° · ideal 65°85°

Why

Summer flounder prefers outgoing tide. Inside summer flounder's active range. Dangerous wind — boats unsafe, casting impossible. Holds 10–100 ft down.

Keep

18" minimum · 3 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. 3 fish at 18", May 4–Sep 25.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · New Jersey

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Jun–Sep, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on summer flounder

The water

  • Water temperature61°F
  • Seas3.6 ft at the nearest buoy
  • Barometer29.79 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:46 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:33 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:10 pm–4:10 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 9:50 pm–11:50 pm
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:40 am–6:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. NJ Fish & Wildlife has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

The tip of the Jersey Shore, with ocean surf on one side and Sandy Hook Bay on the other. Striped bass and bluefish from spring through fall, best around dawn, dusk and the moving tide; summer flounder (fluke) over sand in summer.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Belmar19 mi · New JerseyBest now until Monday 4 am
80Worth the trip
Manasquan24 mi · New JerseyBest now until Monday 4 am
80Worth the trip
Point Pleasant Beach25 mi · New JerseyBest now until Monday 4 am
80Worth the trip
Jones Beach State Park28 mi · New YorkBest tonight 7 pm to tonight 2 am
64Marginal
Playland Beach39 mi · New YorkBest tomorrow 3 pm–12 amSmall Craft Advisory
75Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?

Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) have?

Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?

state agency regulations apply at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) tidal water?

Yes. Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.