East Coast saltwater fishing reports, regulations, conditions, and news.https://saltwaternews.com/en-ushttps://saltwaternews.com/news/outer-banks-cape-point-red-drum-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/outer-banks-cape-point-red-drum-october-2026/Columbus Day storm advisories cleared from the Outer Banks by Monday morning. Tuesday through Thursday is the open window before a second front closes it Friday night. October is peak season for bull red drum at Cape Point. North Carolina's 2026 slot is 18 to 27 inches, one fish per day, with mandatory harvest reporting.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/ny-bight-tautog-october-15-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/ny-bight-tautog-october-15-2026/The NY Bight ocean tautog season opens October 15 and runs through December 9. The viable post-storm departure window from south-shore Long Island and NJ ocean inlets is October 13 through 15; a second system builds Friday night October 16. Thursday is both the opener and the last offshore day before the next blow. NJ tautog opened October 1.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-offshore-second-blow-october-16-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-offshore-second-blow-october-16-2026/Updated October 13: Tuesday-through-Thursday window confirmed open. Tonight seas 5 to 9 feet on Sandy Hook to 37.5N, declining through the week. Second cold front now showing more severe Saturday conditions in the overnight NWS Philadelphia package: Friday night 25 to 35 knots with seas 7 to 11 feet; Saturday builds to 9 to 14 feet on Sandy Hook to 37.5N and 9 to 13 feet on 37.5N to Cape Hatteras. Georges Bank Saturday: NW 35 to 40 knots, seas 11 to 13 feet. The departure gap is Tuesday October 13 through Thursday October 15. Check marine.weather.gov and ocean.weather.gov/shtml/NFDOFFNT1.php before any departure. Prior: Updated October 12 at 12:18 PM EDT: Offshore Gale Warnings have cleared from the mid-Atlantic corridor (Sandy Hook to Cape Hatteras) and Georges Bank. Seas remain 8 to 11 feet Monday on both corridors as post-storm swell moderates. NWS Philadelphia projects conditions dropping to 5 to 20 knots with seas 3 to 6 feet Tuesday through Thursday; NWS Boston shows similar easing on Georges Bank, with seas falling to 3 to 8 feet. A strong cold front approaches Friday night with gale-force wind potential on both corridors and seas building to 8 to 11 feet on Georges Bank. Tuesday through Thursday is the confirmed departure window. Prior: NWS offshore forecasts issued Sunday evening showed active Gale Warnings for the Mid-Atlantic offshore corridor from Sandy Hook to Cape Hatteras and for Georges Bank east of 68W, with 25 to 35 knots and seas 7 to 13 feet through Monday. Conditions moderate Tuesday through Thursday. A second system was forecast to build Friday night, returning the Mid-Atlantic offshore zones to 25 to 35 knots with seas 7 to 14 feet and pushing Georges Bank to 30 to 45 knots with seas 8 to 14 feet. Tuesday through Thursday is the forecast viable window for offshore departures.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-southern-new-england-october-11-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-southern-new-england-october-11-2026/Updated October 13 at 8:00 AM EDT: Downeast Maine Gale Warning (offshore 25-60 NM) expired at 5:00 AM EDT on schedule. NWS Caribou ME re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 5:35 AM EDT: Intra Coastal Waters Schoodic Point to Stonington through 2:00 PM EDT Wednesday; Coastal Waters Eastport to Stonington out 25 NM through 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday. NWS Boston extended the Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket outer zone through 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday (was Tuesday 8:00 AM EDT). NWS Upton NY south shore Long Island and NJ ocean advisories remain through Wednesday. Check weather.gov/car, weather.gov/box, and weather.gov/okx. Prior: Updated October 13 at 4:00 AM EDT: NWS Caribou ME issued a Gale Warning for Downeast Maine offshore zones (Eastport to Schoodic Point and Schoodic Point to Stonington, 25 to 60 NM) through 5:00 AM EDT Tuesday. No offshore Downeast departures beyond 25 NM until warning expires. NWS Upton NY extended south shore NY/NJ advisories: Sandy Hook to Fire Island through 6:00 AM EDT Wednesday; Fire Island to Moriches through 9:00 AM EDT Wednesday; Moriches to Montauk through noon Wednesday. Downeast coastal SCA (0 to 25 NM) through 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday. Prior: Updated October 12 at 11:54 PM EDT: NWS Upton NY issued a Small Craft Advisory for Moriches Inlet to Montauk Point out 20 NM through 6:00 AM EDT Tuesday. Prior: NWS Gray ME issued a Gale Warning for the mid-coast Maine offshore zone (Stonington ME to Port Clyde ME, 25 to 60 NM) through 5:00 AM EDT Tuesday. Downeast Maine coastal advisories through 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday. Check weather.gov/car, weather.gov/okx, and weather.gov/gyx.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-flood-warning-long-island-nyc-october-11-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-flood-warning-long-island-nyc-october-11-2026/Updated October 12 at 4:00 AM EDT: NWS Upton NY Coastal Flood Warning for the north-shore Long Island Sound zones — Bronx, Northern Queens, Northern Nassau, and Northwest Suffolk — has cleared. No active NWS coastal or marine advisories for LIS north-shore zones as of 4:00 AM EDT. Remaining Coastal Flood Statements for south-shore Kings and Queens expire 10:00 AM EDT, Southern Nassau expires 11:00 AM EDT; those are south-shore Atlantic/lower-bay zones, not the LIS tautog corridor. Prior: NWS Upton NY issued a Coastal Flood Warning for four north-shore zones through October 13. Moderate inundation of 1.5 to 2.5 feet above ground level was expected in vulnerable waterfront areas through multiple high-tide cycles. North-shore marina access roads, boat ramp approaches, and waterfront parking along the Long Island Sound tidal corridor may have had standing water through Monday morning. Check weather.gov/okx for zone text before driving to a waterfront launch site.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-advisory-outer-banks-october-11-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-advisory-outer-banks-october-11-2026/Updated October 12 at 11:42 AM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC re-issued Small Craft Advisories at midday for the northern Outer Banks nearshore corridor. Currituck Beach Light NC to Oregon Inlet NC runs through 8:00 PM EDT; Oregon Inlet NC to Cape Hatteras NC and Cape Hatteras NC to Ocracoke Inlet NC both run through 7:00 PM EDT — extended five hours beyond the 2:00 PM EDT window. The southern corridor (Ocracoke Inlet to Surf City) is cleared. Afternoon and evening departures from Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Village remain inside active advisory zones. Check weather.gov/mhx. Prior: Updated October 12 at 2:50 AM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the full Outer Banks nearshore corridor, 0 to 20 NM. Currituck Beach Light NC to Oregon Inlet NC runs through 6:00 PM EDT Monday. Oregon Inlet NC to Cape Hatteras NC and Cape Hatteras NC to Ocracoke Inlet NC both run through 2:00 PM EDT Monday. Ocracoke Inlet NC to Cape Lookout NC and Cape Lookout NC to Surf City NC also run through 2:00 PM EDT Monday. The entire Currituck-to-Surf-City corridor remains inside active advisory zones through Monday afternoon. Check weather.gov/mhx. Prior: Updated October 12 at 1:35 AM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL re-issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for five northeast Florida county zones: Inland Flagler, Eastern Clay, Eastern Putnam, South Central Duval, and Western St. Johns. Advisory extended through 4:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12 — past the Monday morning departure window. Waterfront access roads, boat ramp approaches, and waterfront parking along the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway corridor in northeast Florida may see standing water through Monday afternoon. Check weather.gov/jax. Prior: Updated October 11 at 11:15 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC Small Craft Advisories for coastal waters from South Santee River to Savannah GA out 20 NM are cleared. No active NWS advisory for SC coastal zones as of late Sunday night. Monday departures from SC ports face no Small Craft Advisory restrictions; check weather.gov/chs. Prior: Updated October 11 at 10:43 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the South Carolina coastal corridor. Coastal waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM and coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM are under SCA through 11:45 PM EDT. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior: Updated October 11 at 5:28 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the South Carolina and Georgia coastal corridor. Coastal waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM and coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM are under SCA through 11:00 PM EDT. Offshore waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA from 20 to 60 NM are under SCA through 8:00 PM EDT. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior: Updated October 11 at 3:14 PM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL re-issued a Coastal Flood Advisory at 3:14 PM EDT for five northeast Florida county zones: Inland Flagler, Eastern Clay, Eastern Putnam, South Central Duval, and Western St. Johns. Advisory runs through 8:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12. Minor inundation continues; waterfront access roads, boat ramp approaches, and waterfront parking along the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway corridor may see standing water through Monday morning. Check weather.gov/jax. Prior: Updated October 11 at 12:58 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the South Carolina and offshore Georgia coast. Coastal waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM and coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM are under SCA through 11:00 PM EDT Sunday. Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA from 20 to 60 NM are under SCA through 8:00 PM EDT. Check weather.gov/chs before any late Sunday departure from SC or Georgia ports. Prior: Updated October 11 at 12:01 PM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued a Small Craft Advisory for waters south of Currituck Beach Light NC to Oregon Inlet NC out to 20 NM through 6:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. A separate advisory covers waters south of Ocracoke Inlet NC to Cape Lookout NC and south of Cape Lookout NC to Surf City NC out to 20 NM through 2:00 PM EDT Monday. Active SCA zones now run from Currituck Beach Light south through Surf City. Prior: Updated October 11 at 8:30 AM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued a Gale Warning for the Outer Banks 20-to-60 NM offshore corridor (Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet) through 2:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12, and a Small Craft Advisory for the inshore 0-to-20 NM corridor through 2:00 PM EDT Monday. The High Surf Advisory for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island runs through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday. Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet, and Ocracoke Inlet remain inside active NWS advisory zones through Monday.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-rip-current-nc-coast-october-11-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-rip-current-nc-coast-october-11-2026/Updated October 12 at 7:41 AM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 NM and coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM through 8:45 AM EDT, extending the prior 8:00 AM EDT expiry by 45 minutes. Monday morning departures from Surf City, Topsail Island, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Cape Fear River inlets are inside active advisory conditions through mid-morning. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior: Updated October 12 at 1:24 AM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued a Small Craft Advisory for coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 NM and coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM through 8:00 AM EDT Monday. The Surf City-to-Cape Fear zone, previously through 2:00 AM EDT, now runs through the Monday morning departure window. Grand Strand SCA zones (Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet; Murrells Inlet to South Santee River) are cleared. Check weather.gov/ilm before any Monday morning departure from Surf City, Topsail Island, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, or Cape Fear River inlets. Prior: Updated October 11 at 7:31 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued a Rip Current Statement for Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover, Coastal Brunswick, Coastal Horry, and Coastal Georgetown through 8:45 PM EDT. Rip current risk remains elevated through Sunday evening at ocean beaches from Topsail Island through the Grand Strand. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior: Updated October 11 at 4:28 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued a Rip Current Statement for the Charleston SC coast through 8:00 PM EDT. Rip current risk remains elevated at Charleston-area ocean beaches through Sunday evening. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior: Updated October 11 at 2:33 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC issued Small Craft Advisories for offshore waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC and Cape Fear to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM through 2:00 AM EDT Monday; the Cape Fear to Little River Inlet zone has a second issuance through 8:00 AM EDT Monday. Small Craft Advisories also issued for Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC and Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM through 2:00 AM EDT Monday. The Grand Strand offshore corridor is inside active SCA zones overnight. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior: Updated October 11 at 1:11 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued a consolidated Rip Current Statement covering Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover, Coastal Brunswick, Coastal Horry, and Coastal Georgetown through 8:00 PM EDT. Rip current risk remains elevated through Sunday evening on NC and SC Grand Strand ocean beaches. Check weather.gov/ilm for NC; weather.gov/chs for SC. Prior: Updated October 11 at 11:24 AM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued a Rip Current Statement for the Charleston SC coast through 7:30 PM EDT. Prior: Updated October 11 at 9:57 AM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued Rip Current Statements for Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover, and Coastal Brunswick through 8:00 PM EDT. All Coastal Flood Advisories for the Cape Fear coast have expired. Rip current risk remains elevated through Sunday evening at ocean beaches in these three counties. Check weather.gov/ilm for NC; weather.gov/chs for Charleston SC.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-nj-coast-october-11-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-nj-coast-october-11-2026/Updated October 12 at 4:02 AM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ issued Coastal Flood Advisories for NJ Atlantic coastal zones and adjacent Delaware areas through 2:00 PM EDT Monday. Ocean, Atlantic, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal Ocean, and Southeastern Burlington county zones (NJ) are under advisory through 2 PM EDT; Cape May and Atlantic Coastal Cape May also through 2 PM EDT; Kent, Inland Sussex, and Delaware Beaches (DE) through 2 PM EDT. Minor inundation of low-lying waterfront access, boat ramp approaches, and marina parking possible in the Barnegat Light, Atlantic City, Ocean City NJ, Cape May, and Delaware coastal inlet corridors through Monday afternoon. Small Craft Advisories remain in effect as described below. Prior: Updated October 12 at 2:40 AM EDT: NWS Upton NY re-issued advisories for three NY Bight south-shore zones. Fire Island to Moriches and Moriches to Montauk extended to 6:00 AM EDT Tuesday, October 13 — two hours beyond the prior window. Sandy Hook to Fire Island unchanged at 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday. NJ Atlantic coast zones through 2:00 to 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday unchanged. Prior: Updated October 11 at 9:17 PM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 9:17 PM EDT — advisory windows unchanged, NJ Atlantic coast through 2:00 to 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday, Delaware Bay advisory has expired. Prior: Updated October 11 at 3:10 PM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 3:10 PM EDT — advisory windows unchanged, NJ Atlantic coast through 2:00 to 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday, Delaware Bay expires 10:00 PM EDT tonight. Prior: Updated October 11 at 2:00 PM EDT: Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for New Jersey on Saturday night ahead of the nor'easter. Power outages reported statewide following gusts to 60 mph along the shore; coastal road and ramp closures are possible. Prior: Updated October 11 at 11:14 AM EDT: NWS Upton NY re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the NY Bight offshore corridor. Sandy Hook NJ to Montauk Point NY out 20 NM zones are now extended through 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday, October 13 — up from the earlier 6:00 AM EDT Monday expiry. Montauk, Moriches Inlet, and Fire Island Inlet departures are inside active SCA zones through early Tuesday. Long Island Sound zones (through 6:00 AM EDT Monday) and New York Harbor (through midnight EDT) are unchanged. Prior: Updated October 11 at 2:59 AM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ re-issued Small Craft Advisories for all NJ Atlantic coastal zones. Sandy Hook to Cape May zones now run through 2:00 to 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday, October 13 — extended from the earlier Monday morning expiry. Delaware Bay advisories expire 10:00 PM EDT Sunday.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/ct-ny-fluke-october-15-closure-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/ct-ny-fluke-october-15-closure-2026/CT and NY summer flounder seasons close after October 15. Columbus Day storm advisories hold most Long Island Sound and south-shore ports through Monday evening. The gap between the two storm systems is October 13 through 15.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/fl-summer-flounder-october-closure-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/fl-summer-flounder-october-closure-2026/Wednesday October 14 is the last day to legally retain flounder in Florida. The FWC annual closure takes effect October 15 and runs through November 30, reopening December 1. The rule applies to all four flounder species in state and federal waters off Florida. Current rules are 5 fish per person per day with a 14-inch total length minimum.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/asmfc-fall-meeting-november-2026-menhaden-striped-bass/https://saltwaternews.com/news/asmfc-fall-meeting-november-2026-menhaden-striped-bass/The ASMFC 84th Annual Meeting runs November 9-12 at Hotel Viking in Newport, RI. The menhaden board will consider Addendum II for final approval; the addendum proposes to reduce the Chesapeake Bay industrial harvest cap by up to 50%. The striped bass board gets a 2027 benchmark assessment progress update on November 11. The scup and black sea bass board meets November 12.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/tautog-fall-tackle-northeast-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/tautog-fall-tackle-northeast-2026/Connecticut opened October 10 with a three-fish, 16-inch minimum. New York Long Island Sound opens October 11. The Columbus Day storm pushes the first realistic departure to October 14 for most ports. Green crab, a high-low rig, and braided line are the baseline; each element has specific requirements.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/post-storm-departure-check-columbus-day-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/post-storm-departure-check-columbus-day-2026/NWS marine warnings will lift after the Columbus Day storm peaks October 12-13, but seas lag winds. The zone text — not the advisory header — is the specific pre-departure check for the Oct 14-16 window.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-mid-atlantic-offshore-october-10-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-mid-atlantic-offshore-october-10-2026/Updated October 12 at 12:54 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 12:54 AM EDT for the Delaware-Virginia coastal corridor, Chesapeake Bay zones south of Smith Point VA, and Cape Henry including the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. All zones run through 6:00 PM EDT Monday. Morning departures from Ocean City MD, Chincoteague VA, Virginia barrier island ramps, Hampton Roads, and the Bay Bridge-Tunnel corridor are inside active advisory zones through this afternoon. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 11 at 1:03 PM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA issued Small Craft Advisories at 1:03 PM EDT for the Delaware and Virginia Atlantic coastal corridor and lower Chesapeake Bay zones as follow-on products to the Gale Warning. Coastal waters from Fenwick Island DE to Chincoteague VA out 20 NM and from Chincoteague to Parramore Island VA out 20 NM transition from Gale Warning (expiring 4:00 PM EDT today) to Small Craft Advisory through 6:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. Lower Chesapeake Bay zones from Smith Point VA to Windmill Point VA, Windmill Point VA to New Point Comfort VA, and New Point Comfort VA to Little Creek VA are under SCA through 6:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. Coastal waters from the NC-Virginia border to Currituck Beach Light NC out 20 NM extended through 6:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12 — two hours past the 4:00 PM EDT expiry noted in the 8:20 AM update. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 11 at 8:20 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Gale Warnings for all coastal and offshore zones from Fenwick Island DE through the Virginia-North Carolina border. Northern corridor (Fenwick Island DE to Parramore Island VA) through 4:00 PM EDT; southern corridor through noon EDT. Small Craft Advisory for Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA through 7:00 PM EDT. Coastal waters from the NC-Virginia border to Currituck Beach Light NC under Small Craft Advisory through 4:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 11 at 7:15 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Gale Warnings at 3:14 AM EDT for all coastal and offshore zones from Fenwick Island DE south through the Virginia-North Carolina border. Coastal zones from Fenwick Island DE to Parramore Island VA (ANZ650, ANZ652, 0-20 NM) upgraded from SCA to Gale Warning at 7:00 AM EDT, running through 4:00 PM EDT; southeast winds 20 to 30 knots gusting to 35 knots, seas 7 to 10 feet. Coastal zones from Parramore Island south through Cape Charles Light and the Virginia-North Carolina border are under Gale Warning through noon EDT. Offshore zones (20-60 NM) from Fenwick Island south through Parramore Island VA are under Gale Warning from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT, seas 6 to 11 feet; offshore zones south through the NC/VA border run through noon EDT. Ocean City MD, Chincoteague VA, and Virginia barrier island departures are inside active Gale Warning zones through Sunday afternoon. Updated October 11 at 7:00 AM EDT: NC offshore (20-to-60 NM) zones along the Outer Banks corridor are under Small Craft Advisory through 2:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12; southeast winds 20-25 knots gusting to 30 knots, seas 7 to 10 feet. Canyon departures from Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Village route through these zones. Updated October 11 at 5:42 AM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued Small Craft Advisories for three offshore zones along the NC Outer Banks corridor at 5:42 AM EDT, running through 2:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12: S of Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet, S of Ocracoke Inlet to Cape Lookout, and S of Cape Lookout to Surf City (all out to 20 NM). The Gale Warning for the Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet zone expires at 6:00 AM EDT; the SCA is the follow-on product covering Monday. Oregon Inlet departures are inside an active advisory through midday Monday. Updated October 11 at 12:07 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA also issued a Small Craft Advisory at 10:47 PM EDT for coastal waters from the NC VA border to Currituck Beach Light NC out 20 NM, through 7:00 AM EDT Sunday. Updated October 10 at 10:47 PM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA issued Small Craft Advisories for coastal zones from Fenwick Island DE to Cape Charles Light VA through 7:00 AM EDT Sunday, replacing Gale Warning conditions for those coastal waters. Check weather.gov/akq for offshore zone status and current products. Prior issuance: NWS Wakefield VA Gale Warnings at 2:19 PM EDT Saturday for all offshore (20-60 NM) and coastal (out to 20 NM) zones from Fenwick Island DE to Parramore Island VA.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-chesapeake-bay-october-10-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-chesapeake-bay-october-10-2026/Updated October 13 at 6:37 PM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued Coastal Flood Advisories for Anne Arundel County and Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria through late evening and midnight. Small Craft Advisories that covered Chesapeake Bay zones Monday have expired. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 12 at 10:03 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 10:03 AM EDT for all Virginia Bay and coastal ocean zones, confirming all advisory products active through 6:00 PM EDT Monday. Expiry windows unchanged. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 12 at 7:02 AM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 7:02 AM EDT for the full Chesapeake Bay, confirming all zones active Monday morning. Northern and mid Bay corridor through 3:00 PM EDT; lower Bay zones from North Beach MD south and Tangier Sound through 6:00 PM EDT. Expiry windows unchanged from prior product. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 12 at 5:46 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the full Virginia and lower Bay coastal corridor through 6:00 PM EDT Monday, covering Bay zones from Smith Point VA south through Cape Henry VA including the Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia coastal ocean from Fenwick Island DE to the Virginia-NC border out 20 NM, and coastal waters from the NC-VA border to Currituck Beach Light NC out 20 NM. Advisory windows unchanged from prior issuances. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 12 at 1:03 AM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the full Chesapeake Bay at 1:03 AM EDT; upper and mid Bay zones run through 3:00 PM EDT, lower Bay and Tangier Sound through 6:00 PM EDT. Harford County Coastal Flood Advisory expired at 1:00 AM EDT. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 8:31 PM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC issued a Coastal Flood Advisory at 8:31 PM EDT for Southeast Harford County through 1:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12. Minor inundation of low-lying tidal waterfront areas along the Bush River and Gunpowder River corridor in Harford County is possible at the evening high tide cycle. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 6:58 PM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued Coastal Flood Advisories at 6:58 PM EDT for Anne Arundel County and Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria through 11:00 PM EDT, and issued a new Coastal Flood Advisory for Southern Baltimore through 10:00 PM EDT. Minor inundation of the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, and South Baltimore tidal waterfront is possible through Sunday evening. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 6:05 PM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Anne Arundel County at 6:05 PM EDT through 11:00 PM EDT and issued a new Coastal Flood Advisory for Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria through 11:00 PM EDT. Minor tidal inundation of low-lying Tidal Potomac and upper Bay waterfront areas is possible through Sunday evening. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 4:55 PM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 4:55 PM EDT for three Virginia zones, extending through 6:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12: coastal waters from Parramore Island to Cape Charles Light VA out 20 NM, coastal waters from Cape Charles Light to the Virginia-North Carolina border out 20 NM, and Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The re-issuance extends the advisory window by two hours past the 4:00 PM EDT Monday expiry set in the 10:33 AM EDT product. Virginia coastal ocean access points and the lower Bay entrance remain in active advisory through Monday evening. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 11 at 4:09 PM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued Small Craft Advisories at 4:09 PM EDT, extending Bay coverage through Monday October 12. Upper Bay zones (north of Pooles Island MD through the Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD, including Patapsco River, Chester River, Eastern Bay, Choptank River, and Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Cobb Island MD) now run through 3:00 PM EDT Monday. Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD runs through 6:00 PM EDT Monday. The 4:09 PM EDT issuance supersedes the 2:37 PM EDT product; advisory conditions now cover the full Monday window on the Bay. Monday departures from Annapolis, Kent Island, Baltimore Harbor, and Bay tributary ramps are inside active SCA zones through at least Monday afternoon. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 2:37 PM EDT: NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC re-issued Small Craft Advisories for the full Chesapeake Bay at 2:37 PM EDT. The three lower Bay zones — Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA, Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA, and Tangier Sound — are confirmed under SCA through 10:45 PM EDT Sunday; these zones had been without a confirmed SCA product since the Gale Warning cancellation at 4:05 AM. Upper and mid Bay zones also confirmed through 10:45 PM EDT Sunday. Check weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 1:45 PM EDT: All Gale Warnings on the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia coast have ended. High Surf Advisories for Maryland Beaches and Virginia's Eastern Shore (Accomack and Northampton counties) remain active through 7:45 PM EDT. Small Craft Advisories now cover Delaware and Virginia offshore zones through 6:00 PM EDT Monday and lower Chesapeake Bay zones from Smith Point VA to Little Creek VA through 6:00 PM EDT Monday. Upper and mid Bay zones under SCA through 11:00 PM EDT Sunday. Check weather.gov/akq and weather.gov/lwx. Prior: Updated October 11 at 11:35 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued High Surf Advisories for Maryland Beaches and Virginia's Eastern Shore (Accomack and Northampton counties) through 7:45 PM EDT. Coastal Flood Advisories re-issued for Northern Neck shoreline zones: Lancaster, Middlesex, and Mathews through 4:00 PM EDT; Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland, and Essex counties through 6:00 PM EDT. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior: Updated October 11 at 10:33 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA issued Small Craft Advisories for the lower Bay entrance (Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA, including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel) and Virginia coastal ocean zones (Parramore Island to Cape Charles Light, and Cape Charles Light to the Virginia-North Carolina border) through 4:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. Earlier Gale Warnings for these zones cleared before noon Sunday. Updated October 11 at 5:35 AM EDT: Coastal Flood Advisory issued for Anne Arundel County through 11:00 PM EDT Sunday. Updated October 11 at 4:05 AM EDT: Gale Warning for lower Bay zones (Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA, Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island to Smith Point, Tangier Sound) cancelled; NWS Baltimore re-issued Small Craft Advisory for upper and mid Bay through 11:00 PM EDT Sunday. Check weather.gov/lwx and weather.gov/akq for zone status.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/spanish-mackerel-fall-atlantic-run-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/spanish-mackerel-fall-atlantic-run-2026/The fall run pulls Spanish mackerel through Delaware Bay, the Virginia coast, and into the Carolinas through October. State bag limits and minimum sizes differ from the federal floor. A 12-inch fork-length minimum and a 15-fish bag limit apply in federal waters; state rules inside three nautical miles may differ.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/weakfish-fall-atlantic-bag-limit-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/weakfish-fall-atlantic-bag-limit-2026/Addendum IV to the ASMFC Weakfish Fishery Management Plan sets a one-fish-per-day recreational bag limit coastwide. The stock has been assessed as depleted since the early 2000s; high natural mortality from predation is the primary obstacle to recovery. Fall brings weakfish into Delaware Bay, the lower Chesapeake, and Virginia and North Carolina inshore waters.Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/asmfc-tautog-addendum-delay-fall-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/asmfc-tautog-addendum-delay-fall-2026/The ASMFC Tautog Management Board held Draft Addendum I back from public comment at its August 2026 meeting, pending updated 2025 harvest projections. The NJ-NY Bight stock is experiencing overfishing; the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia stock is overfished and experiencing overfishing. No 2027 rule changes are set until the addendum clears public comment and final board action.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/black-sea-bass-fall-northeast-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/black-sea-bass-fall-northeast-2026/Massachusetts closes its 2026 recreational black sea bass season after October 14. New York allows 6 fish per day through December. New Jersey runs 10 fish from September 23 through October, then 15 fish in November and December. Maine reopens October 18. The ASMFC approved a 20% harvest increase for 2026 across the range.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-sc-ga-coastal-waters-october-9-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-sc-ga-coastal-waters-october-9-2026/Updated October 11 at 2:39 AM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC re-issued at 2:39 AM EDT. Inshore zones out to 20 NM south of Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras NC and south of Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Inlet NC are now under Small Craft Advisory through 2:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12, replacing the Gale Warning for those coastal zones. Offshore (20 to 60 NM): Gale Warning for Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet NC remains active through 2:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12; Gale Warning for Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet NC offshore through 10:00 AM EDT Sunday. A coastal (out to 20 NM) Gale Warning for Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet NC runs through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday. Check weather.gov/mhx. Prior update, October 10 at 11:37 PM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued Small Craft Advisory for Crystal Coast coastal zones (Ocracoke Inlet to Cape Lookout NC and Cape Lookout to Surf City NC out 20 NM) through 11:45 AM EDT Sunday, replacing the Gale Warning that expired at midnight. Sunday departures from Morehead City and Beaufort are off gale threshold but SCA conditions persist through late Sunday morning. Check weather.gov/mhx. Prior update, October 10 at 11:15 PM EDT: Gale Warnings for coastal Surf City to Cape Fear NC and Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC cleared before their 4:00 AM EDT Sunday expiry. Small Craft Advisory now covers Surf City to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM through 8:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12; Little River Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM through 2:00 AM EDT Monday. Sunday offshore window from Cape Fear, Wrightsville Beach, Southport, and Brunswick County inlets is below gale threshold but SCA conditions persist. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior update, October 10 at 10:53 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued Gale Warnings at 10:53 PM EDT for coastal Surf City to Cape Fear NC and Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC through 4:00 AM EDT Sunday; offshore zone through midnight EDT Sunday. Prior update, October 10 at 10:23 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC issued Coastal Flood Advisories for Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover, and Coastal Brunswick NC through 10:00 AM EDT Sunday; NWS Charleston SC extended the Coastal Flood Advisory for Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown SC through 10:00 AM EDT Sunday. Up to one-half foot of inundation in low-lying waterfront areas; Grand Strand causeways may be affected through mid-morning. Rip Current Statements for NC and SC Grand Strand zones and High Surf Advisory for Coastal Brunswick NC continue through Sunday. Check weather.gov/ilm and weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 9:15 PM EDT: The Coastal Flood Warning for northeast Florida (Coastal Duval and St. Johns River basin) expires at 6:00 AM EDT Sunday; a Coastal Flood Advisory for Coastal Duval and Inland Flagler County then runs through 5:00 PM EDT Sunday. The Marine Weather Statement for Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA issued at 7:57 PM EDT expired at 9:00 PM EDT; the Small Craft Advisory for that zone through 2:00 PM EDT Sunday remains active. Check weather.gov/jax and weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 8:53 PM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC re-issued Gale Warnings at 8:53 PM EDT for northern Outer Banks and Crystal Coast zones. Coastal expiration times unchanged: Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet NC out 20 NM through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday; Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet NC out 20 NM through 3:00 AM EDT Sunday; Crystal Coast (Ocracoke Inlet to Surf City NC) through midnight EDT Saturday. Offshore (20 to 60 NM): Currituck to Oregon Inlet through 10:00 AM EDT Sunday; Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet through 2:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12. Check weather.gov/mhx. Prior update, October 10 at 8:07 PM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL issued Small Craft Advisories for offshore zones from Altamaha Sound GA to Flagler Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM through 8:00 AM EDT Sunday — extends prior advisory by three hours. NWS Wilmington NC re-issued High Surf Advisories for Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover, and Coastal Brunswick NC; Rip Current Statements at Moderate risk for NC and SC Grand Strand zones through Sunday evening; Coastal Flood Advisory for Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown SC through 11 PM EDT Saturday. Check weather.gov/ilm and weather.gov/jax. Prior update, October 10 at 7:57 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC issued a Marine Weather Statement for coastal waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 NM, effective through 9:00 PM EDT Saturday; the Small Craft Advisory for that zone through 2:00 PM EDT Sunday remains active. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 7:09 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC issued new Small Craft Advisories for the full SC and northern GA coastal corridor (South Santee River to Altamaha Sound GA), replacing the advisories that ran through 9:15 PM EDT Saturday. SC coastal zones through 11:00 PM EDT Sunday, October 11; GA coastal zone through 2:00 PM EDT Sunday; offshore GA zone through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday. Sunday departures from SC and northern Georgia ports should verify current products at weather.gov/chs before launch. Prior update, October 10 at 6:58 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC issued a new Rip Current Statement for Coastal Charleston county through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday, October 11; the broader statements covering eight SC and Georgia lowcountry counties expired at 8:00 PM EDT Saturday as scheduled. Shore anglers on Charleston-area beaches should treat rip current risk as elevated through Sunday evening. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 6:23 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC shortened Gale Warning for Surf City to Little River Inlet SC (coastal and offshore) to 11:00 PM EDT Saturday; Little River Inlet to South Santee River SC downgraded to Small Craft Advisory through 2:00 AM EDT Sunday. Grand Strand and north SC coast off gale but SCA through Monday morning. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior update, October 10 at 3:01 PM EDT: NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued Gale Warnings for Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet NC — coastal through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday, offshore through 10:00 AM EDT Sunday; Hatteras Island and Crystal Coast zones re-issued through Sunday morning. Check weather.gov/mhx. Prior update, October 10 at 2:51 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued Gale Warning for six zones from Surf City NC to South Santee River SC, coastal out 20 NM and offshore 20-60 NM, through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday October 11. Wrightsville Beach, Southport, Brunswick County inlets, Myrtle Beach, and the Grand Strand remain closed for offshore departures through Saturday night. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior update, October 10 at 2:35 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC issued a High Surf Advisory for Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover NC through 8:00 AM EDT Sunday and Coastal Flood Advisories for those zones plus Coastal Brunswick NC through 11:00 PM EDT Saturday. Rip Current Statement for Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown SC through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday. Check weather.gov/ilm. Prior update, October 10 at 1:10 PM EDT: NWS Charleston SC issued Small Craft Advisories for coastal zones from South Santee River through Savannah GA out 20 NM through 9:15 PM EDT Saturday, replacing Gale Warning conditions after their 5:00 PM EDT expiry. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 11:01 AM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL upgraded Coastal Flood Advisories to Coastal Flood Warnings for Coastal Duval, Eastern Clay, Eastern Putnam, South Central Duval, Western St. Johns, and Trout River through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday. Moderate flooding expected at high tide cycles. Check weather.gov/jax. Prior update, October 10 at 10:30 AM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued Coastal Flood Warning for Coastal Colleton and Charleston SC through 6:30 PM EDT — extended from the prior 11:00 AM EDT end time. Rip Current Statements through 8:00 PM EDT; Gale Warning through 5:00 PM EDT. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 10:23 AM EDT: NWS Charleston SC re-issued Gale Warnings for SC and GA coastal and offshore zones; all four confirmed through 5:00 PM EDT. Small Craft Advisory for Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA continues. Check weather.gov/chs. Prior update, October 10 at 5:45 AM EDT: NWS Mobile AL issued a High Surf Warning for Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa coastal FL zones through 9:00 PM CDT; the previous High Surf Warning for those zones has cleared. Rip Current Statement for the same zones through 6:00 PM CDT Sunday. Check weather.gov/mob. Prior update, October 10 at 4:52 AM EDT: NWS Tallahassee FL issued Coastal Flood Advisories for Coastal Jefferson and Coastal Wakulla counties through 12:00 PM EDT and for South Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Gulf, and Coastal Franklin counties through 1:00 PM EDT. Tropical Storm Warnings for Escambia County (NWS Mobile AL) and Georgia inland counties have expired. Check weather.gov/tae. Prior update, October 10 at 3:36 AM EDT: NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued High Surf Advisories for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee county Gulf Coast zones through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday; Rip Current Statements for the same zones through Sunday evening; Tropical Storm Warning for Calhoun County FL through 10:15 AM EDT from NWS Tallahassee. Check weather.gov/tbw. Prior update, October 10 at 2:57 AM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL re-issued Small Craft Advisories for Altamaha Sound GA to Flagler Beach FL; end time unchanged at 5:00 AM EDT Sunday, October 11. Prior update, October 10 at 2:26 AM EDT: NWS Charleston SC issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Coastal Colleton and Charleston SC through 11:00 AM EDT Saturday — moderate flooding expected at high tide. Coastal Flood Advisories for Beaufort and Jasper SC and Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, and McIntosh GA also through 11:00 AM EDT. Rip Current Statements for these coastal counties through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday. Gale Warnings for SC and GA offshore zones remain active through 5:00 PM EDT Saturday. Prior update, October 9 at 11:19 PM EDT: NWS Peachtree City GA issued Tropical Storm Warnings for central and west-central Georgia counties through 7:30 AM EDT Saturday; Isaias tracking northeast over inland Georgia overnight. NWS Wilmington NC High Surf Advisory for Pender and New Hanover NC through 8:00 AM EDT Sunday. Gale Warning for Surf City to South Santee River SC through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday; Crystal Coast gale onset 2:00 PM EDT Saturday; Hatteras Island 6:00 PM EDT Saturday through 2:00 AM EDT Sunday. Check weather.gov/chs.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-sw-florida-chokoloskee-bonita-beach-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-sw-florida-chokoloskee-bonita-beach-october-2026/NWS Miami FL issued a Small Craft Advisory at 1:43 AM EDT Friday for coastal and offshore waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL, in effect through 4:00 PM EDT Saturday, October 10. Updated October 9 at 10:02 AM EDT: NWS Miami FL issued a Moderate-risk Rip Current Statement for Coastal Collier County (Naples and Marco Island beaches) through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday. Updated October 9 at 10:23 AM EDT: NWS Miami FL issued a Small Craft Advisory for coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee FL out 20 NM through 4:00 PM EDT Saturday, extending SCA coverage south through Cape Sable and Flamingo. Updated October 9 at 10:31 AM EDT: NWS Key West FL issued a Small Craft Advisory for Dry Tortugas, Rebecca Shoal Channel, Straits of Florida western zones, and offshore Gulf waters east of Cape Sable, expiring 10:00 PM EDT Friday. Updated October 9 at 2:11 PM EDT: NWS Key West FL re-issued those four zones with an earlier end time of 4:00 PM EDT Friday; all NWS Key West zones have now expired. NWS Miami advisories for East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach continue through 4:00 PM EDT Saturday.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-advisory-outer-banks-hatteras-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-advisory-outer-banks-hatteras-october-2026/NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued a High Surf Advisory at 7:20 PM EDT Thursday for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, effective through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday, October 11. Re-issued Saturday, October 10 at 8:13 PM EDT; advisory remains active through Sunday evening. Shore and surf anglers on the Outer Banks should expect elevated breaking waves through Sunday evening.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/mid-october-fall-fishing-outlook-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/mid-october-fall-fishing-outlook-2026/Updated October 12: NWS has confirmed Tuesday through Thursday as the departure window from the mid-Atlantic and New England. Striped bass and bluefish keep moving south as conditions clear, the albie window narrows on Long Island and opens in the Carolinas, and tautog season is open across the mid-Atlantic. MA black sea bass last day is October 14. Friday night a second cold front closes the offshore window again.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/chesapeake-bay-fall-striper-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/chesapeake-bay-fall-striper-october-2026/Fish from the Susquehanna Flats and upper Bay tributaries stage on mid-Bay structure through October, then push into Virginia waters by November. Maryland harvest season runs September 1 through December 5 with a 19-to-24-inch slot; Virginia runs October 4 through December 31 with the same slot.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gulf-central-florida-sca-rip-current-isaias-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gulf-central-florida-sca-rip-current-isaias-october-2026/NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued a Small Craft Advisory at 2:07 PM EDT Thursday for coastal and offshore waters from Tarpon Springs to the Suwannee River. A 5:45 AM EDT Friday re-issuance extended coverage to Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Tampa Bay waters, and the Bonita Beach to Tarpon Springs offshore corridor, all through Saturday evening. Rip Current Statements at Moderate risk run through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday for Gulf beaches in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Coastal Flood Advisories for Tampa Bay coastal counties continue through 8:00 AM EDT Saturday. Updated October 9 at 11:06 AM EDT: NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin issued High Surf Advisories for Gulf beach zones from Clearwater Beach south through Fort Myers Beach through 8:00 AM EDT Saturday. Updated October 9 at 11:01 PM EDT: Rip Current Statements for Pinellas through Lee re-issued through 7:15 AM EDT Saturday, ending earlier than the prior 8:00 PM EDT Saturday window; Coastal Flood Advisory added for Coastal Levy through 7:15 AM EDT Saturday. Updated October 10 at 4:06 PM EDT: Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound advisories expired at 4:00 PM EDT; NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin re-issued SCA for Tampa Bay waters and the Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River and Englewood to Tarpon Springs coastal and offshore zones through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday. Updated October 10 at 8:18 PM EDT: NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued a Rip Current Statement at Moderate risk for Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee county Gulf Coast zones through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday, October 11. The High Surf Advisory for those zones expired at 8:00 PM EDT Saturday as scheduled. Shore anglers planning Sunday beach access from Clearwater Beach south through Fort Myers Beach should check weather.gov/tbw. Updated October 11 at 9:37 AM EDT: NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued a Marine Weather Statement for Tampa Bay waters and coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 nautical miles, expiring at 10:30 AM EDT, for a thunderstorm producing 30-knot winds near Sunshine Skyway Bridge at 9:36 AM EDT, moving northeast at 20 knots. The Rip Current Statement for Gulf beach zones from Clearwater to Fort Myers Beach remains in effect through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/menhaden-forage-fish-explainer/https://saltwaternews.com/news/menhaden-forage-fish-explainer/Peanut bunker, bay anchovies, and sand eels are small fish with a large effect on where fall predators show up. Here is how to read the bait without mistaking a seasonal pattern for a current report.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/south-atlantic-red-snapper-federal-season-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/south-atlantic-red-snapper-federal-season-october-2026/Updated October 11: The federal 3-day season closes at 12:01 AM local time Sunday, October 12. The Columbus Day storm closed offshore access from most SC and GA ports after Thursday. FL, GA, and SC EFP seasons continue through October 22 under each state's harvest limit. NC anglers have no EFP; the federal window is their only October access and it closes tonight.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-downeast-maine-october-8-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-downeast-maine-october-8-2026/Updated October 9 at 2:01 PM EDT: NWS Caribou ME re-issued Small Craft Advisories for Downeast Maine offshore zones through 2:00 PM EDT Saturday, October 10. Offshore coverage runs from Eastport to Schoodic Point and Schoodic Point to Stonington out 25 nautical miles. The intracoastal zone from Schoodic Point to Stonington expired without re-issuance. Mid-coast and south-coast Maine advisories from NWS Gray ME ran through 8:00 PM EDT October 8.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/northeast-regulation-window-october-9-18-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/northeast-regulation-window-october-9-18-2026/CT tautog opens October 10. NY tautog opens October 11 in Long Island Sound and October 15 in the NY Bight. MA black sea bass and FL flounder close after October 14. CT and NY fluke close after October 15. ME black sea bass reopens October 18.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/fall-bite-preview-october-9-11-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/fall-bite-preview-october-9-11-2026/October 9 through 11 is the viable departure window for most of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast before Columbus Day weekend storm impacts arrive. Striped bass and false albacore are in the fall run on the Jersey shore and Long Island south shore. Tautog opened October 1 on mid-Atlantic structure. South Atlantic red snapper opens tonight at 12:01 AM EDT.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/king-mackerel-fall-run-carolina-coast/https://saltwaternews.com/news/king-mackerel-fall-run-carolina-coast/October is the peak concentration window for king mackerel at Cape Fear, NC. Charter boats from Southport and Wrightsville Beach work nearshore structure with slow-trolled live bait. The run moves south through South Carolina and Georgia toward Florida's Atlantic coast through November.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/fl-irl-seatrout-november-closure/https://saltwaternews.com/news/fl-irl-seatrout-november-closure/The IRL spotted seatrout season ends October 31 and reopens January 1. Through October 31, the rules are a 15- to 19-inch slot and a two-fish daily bag. The closure applies from near New Smyrna Beach south to Stuart; northeast and southeast Florida regions stay open year-round.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/tautog-fall-season-open-asmfc-review-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/tautog-fall-season-open-asmfc-review-2026/October brings tautog onto nearshore wrecks, rock piles, and jetties from New Jersey to Virginia and into southern New England. The ASMFC Tautog Management Board delayed Draft Addendum I at its August 2026 meeting, holding it back from public comment pending updated 2025 harvest data. 2027 limits remain uncertain. Current fall 2026 rules are set by each state.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-storm-watch-mid-atlantic-new-england-columbus-day-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-storm-watch-mid-atlantic-new-england-columbus-day-2026/Updated October 11 at 3:45 PM EDT: NJ coastal zones from Sandy Hook to Fenwick Island DE are under Small Craft Advisory through late Monday night. Seas build to 7-10 feet Sunday night in NJ coastal zones; 8-12 feet in NJ offshore zones. NY Bight and Long Island south shore advisories run through late Monday night. Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound under advisory through 8 PM EDT Monday. Tuesday October 14 is the first realistic departure day for the NJ-to-New-England corridor. Check weather.gov/phi, weather.gov/okx, weather.gov/box, and weather.gov/akq. Prior update, October 11 at 3:23 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued a Gale Warning for coastal waters from Cape Charles Light to the Virginia-North Carolina border out 20 NM through noon Sunday. High Surf Advisories are in effect for Maryland and Virginia ocean beaches through late Sunday afternoon. Coastal Flood Advisories cover lower Bay shoreline counties through Sunday evening. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior update, October 11 at 2:12 AM EDT: NWS Boston re-issued Small Craft Advisory for Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and Southern New England offshore zones through 8:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. Columbus Day Sunday and Monday departures from Block Island, Newport, and Cape/Nantucket-area ports are inside the advisory through Monday evening. Check weather.gov/box. Prior update, October 10 at 7:30 PM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA Beach Hazards Statements active through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday for Virginia Beach, Accomack/Northampton VA barrier island beaches, Eastern Currituck NC, and Maryland ocean beaches: large breaking waves 7-8 feet and high rip current risk. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior update, October 10 at 5:45 PM EDT: Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency for New York as the storm arrives Saturday. Coastal Flood Warning for Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and NJ coastal counties through 6:00 PM EDT Sunday; High Surf Advisory for all ocean beaches through 8:00 PM EDT Sunday. Gusts to 65 mph reported along the Jersey Shore. Check weather.gov/okx and weather.gov/phi. Prior update, October 10 at 4:00 PM EDT: NWS Upton NY issued Small Craft Advisories for Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, and South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay, Sunday noon through 6:00 AM EDT Monday; east winds 15 to 25 knots, gusts to 30 knots. Peconic Bay and Gardiners Bay under advisory from 2:00 PM Sunday. Sandy Hook to Montauk offshore advisory from 10:00 AM Sunday, seas 6 to 9 feet. NWS Wakefield VA upgraded the Fenwick Island DE to Parramore Island VA Gale Watch to a Gale Warning for Sunday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT; southeast winds 25 to 30 knots, gusts to 35 knots. Departures from Ocean City MD, Assateague, and Chincoteague VA are inside the Gale Warning zone through Sunday afternoon. Check weather.gov/okx and weather.gov/akq. Prior update, October 10 at 2:46 PM EDT: NWS Boston/Norton MA issued Small Craft Advisories for Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and offshore zones from Provincetown MA to Nantucket MA and from Montauk NY to Martha's Vineyard out 20 NM, all running through 8:00 PM EDT Monday, October 12. Saturday afternoon departures from Block Island, Newport, and Cape/Nantucket-area ports are now inside advisory conditions. Check weather.gov/box. Prior update, October 10 at 2:44 PM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ issued Small Craft Advisories for all NJ coastal zones from Sandy Hook through Fenwick Island DE out 20 NM and for both Delaware Bay zones. NJ coastal zones run through 6:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12; Delaware Bay zones through 10:00 PM EDT Sunday. The Gale Watch for NJ/DE Sunday conditions noted in the 6:00 AM update has been resolved; NJ coastal zones are now under Small Craft Advisory with notes of possible brief gale-force gusts in the Manasquan-to-Little Egg corridor Sunday morning. Check weather.gov/phi. Prior update, October 10 at 12:52 PM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Gale Warning for NC/VA border to Currituck Beach Light NC out 20 NM through 10:00 AM EDT Sunday; Virginia coastal and lower Bay zones stepped down to Small Craft Advisory through 4:00 AM EDT Sunday. Departure window from VA Beach and lower Bay ports improves before Sunday dawn. Check weather.gov/akq. Prior update, October 10 at 10:00 AM EDT: NWS Boston issued a routine coastal forecast at 7:03 AM EDT with no active watches or warnings for Massachusetts and Rhode Island waters; conditions build Sunday night, peak Monday. NJ and Delaware Gale Watch remains in place through Sunday evening, no upgrade issued as of this update. Saturday is the last viable departure window along the full corridor. Prior update, October 10 at 6:00 AM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ issued Gale Watches for coastal and offshore NJ and Delaware waters effective Sunday through Sunday night; NWS Wakefield VA issued Gale Watches for Fenwick Island to Parramore Island VA coastal and offshore zones effective Sunday 10:00 AM through 7:00 PM EDT; NWS Upton NY issued Small Craft Advisories for Sandy Hook NJ to Montauk Point NY out 20 NM from Sunday noon through Monday 6:00 AM EDT. Prior update, October 10 at 3:13 AM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA upgraded Virginia coastal waters and the lower Chesapeake Bay to Gale Warnings. Coastal waters from the NC/VA border to Currituck Beach Light NC out 20 NM are under Gale Warning through 12:00 PM EDT Sunday, October 11; Parramore Island VA to the VA-NC border coastal and offshore zones through 4:00 PM EDT Sunday; the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel zone through 1:00 PM EDT Sunday. NWS Wakefield VA marine products are at weather.gov/akq. Prior update, October 10 at 2:26 AM EDT: NWS Mount Holly NJ issued a Small Craft Advisory for Coastal Waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 NM through 6:00 AM EDT Sunday, October 12. Prior update, October 10 at 1:43 AM EDT: NWS Baltimore issued Small Craft Advisories covering upper and mid Chesapeake Bay through 11:00 PM EDT Sunday; Coastal Flood Watch for Anne Arundel County through the same period. Columbus Day weekend peak impacts along the Jersey shore, Long Island, and the Chesapeake Bay corridor remain forecast for October 12-13.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-flood-statement-se-florida-october-7-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-flood-statement-se-florida-october-7-2026/NWS Miami FL issued a Coastal Flood Statement at 8:26 AM EDT Wednesday for Coastal Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Isolated minor coastal flooding is expected during Wednesday evening and early Thursday high tide cycles through 10:00 AM EDT Thursday, October 8.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/hms-gear-regulations-proposed-rule-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/hms-gear-regulations-proposed-rule-2026/A proposed rule published in August would expand how buoy gear and spearguns are used in Atlantic HMS fisheries and allow small bait nets aboard HMS vessels. Written comments are due October 13, 2026.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/rip-current-statement-volusia-brevard-florida-october-7-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/rip-current-statement-volusia-brevard-florida-october-7-2026/Updated October 10 at 12:53 AM EDT: NWS Miami FL re-issued the Rip Current Statement for Coastal Palm Beach County at Moderate risk through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday, October 10. Melbourne FL zones covering Daytona Beach south through Stuart continue through 1:00 AM EDT Sunday, October 11. Rip current hazard runs the Florida Atlantic coast from Daytona Beach through Palm Beach County through Saturday.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/alwtrp-phase2-comment-deadline-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/alwtrp-phase2-comment-deadline-october-2026/NOAA Fisheries published a Notice of Intent on August 17 to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for potential Phase 2 modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. Written comments on potential gear changes for American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries are due by October 16, 2026.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gulf-tropical-invest-92l-east-coast-offshore-october-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gulf-tropical-invest-92l-east-coast-offshore-october-2026/Updated October 10 at 9:07 AM CDT: NWS Mobile AL downgraded the High Surf Warning for Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Coastal zones to High Surf Advisory through 3:00 PM CDT; a Rip Current Statement at Moderate risk runs through 6:00 PM CDT October 11. NWS Tallahassee Small Craft Advisories cover all panhandle and Big Bend coastal and offshore zones through 5:00 PM EDT. All Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warning products have expired. Columbus Day weekend Atlantic coast impacts remain on track for October 12-13.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/atlantic-herring-spawning-closure-new-england-fall-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/atlantic-herring-spawning-closure-new-england-fall-2026/ASMFC closed Western Maine and Massachusetts/New Hampshire spawning areas September 23. Commercial herring operations face a 2,000-pound possession cap from those areas through peak fall bait season.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/bluefish-fall-run-atlantic/https://saltwaternews.com/news/bluefish-fall-run-atlantic/Schools of Pomatomus saltatrix follow baitfish south from New England as surface temperatures drop, reaching the Carolinas by November. Wire or heavy fluorocarbon is standard terminal tackle; state bag limits vary.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-coastal-flood-rip-current-ga-ne-florida-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/high-surf-coastal-flood-rip-current-ga-ne-florida-october-6-2026/Updated October 12 at 8:05 AM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Inland Flagler and Eastern Putnam through October 13 at 7:00 AM EDT, covering minor high-tide inundation in low-lying tidal areas in those inland zones. A broader advisory from 1:35 AM EDT for Inland Flagler, Eastern Clay, Eastern Putnam, South Central Duval, and Western St. Johns has cleared. The Flagler and Putnam inland zone advisory is the active product through Tuesday morning. Check weather.gov/jax. Prior: Updated October 10 at 5:15 PM EDT: NWS Jacksonville FL issued a Marine Weather Statement for coastal and offshore waters from Altamaha Sound GA to Flagler Beach FL out 60 NM. Small Craft Advisories for northeast Florida zones through October 11 at 2:00 AM EDT were in effect. Check weather.gov/jax.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/atlantic-bluefin-tuna-october-2026-status/https://saltwaternews.com/news/atlantic-bluefin-tuna-october-2026-status/The Angling Category runs at adjusted limits through December 31. The General Category reopened October 1 with restricted fishing days. The trophy fishery is closed in all areas.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-new-york-bight-long-island-sound-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-new-york-bight-long-island-sound-october-6-2026/Update October 10 at 3:30 PM EDT: NWS Upton NY issued Small Craft Advisories for the full Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay, Peconic and Gardiners Bays, and all NY Bight ocean zones from Sandy Hook NJ to Montauk Point NY out 20 NM, through October 12 at 6:00 AM EDT. New York's Long Island Sound tautog season opens October 11 inside the advisory window.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-new-jersey-coastal-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-new-jersey-coastal-october-6-2026/NWS Mount Holly NJ reissued advisories at 11:41 PM EDT Monday. Sandy Hook to Little Egg Inlet zones now run through 10:00 AM EDT Tuesday. New advisories for four additional southern zones, from Little Egg Inlet to Fenwick Island DE, expire at 4:00 AM EDT Tuesday.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-chesapeake-bay-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-chesapeake-bay-october-6-2026/Updated October 9 at 9:58 PM EDT: NWS Wakefield VA re-issued Small Craft Advisories for lower Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point through New Point Comfort to Little Creek through 7:00 PM EDT Sunday, October 11; Little Creek to Cape Henry and Virginia coastal zones through 4:00 AM EDT Sunday. NWS Baltimore advisories cover the entire upper and central Bay through 7:00 PM EDT Sunday. Columbus Day weekend departures from Bay ramps face advisory conditions through Sunday evening. Check weather.gov/akq (Wakefield) and weather.gov/lwx (Baltimore) before launching.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/beach-hazards-nc-sc-coast-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/beach-hazards-nc-sc-coast-october-6-2026/Update October 8 at 2:22 AM EDT: NWS Wilmington re-issued the Coastal Flood Advisory for Inland New Hanover County NC through 10:00 AM EDT Thursday. NWS Charleston SC issued a separate Coastal Flood Advisory for Coastal Colleton and Charleston counties through 9:00 AM EDT Thursday.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-low-developing-mid-atlantic-october-7-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/coastal-low-developing-mid-atlantic-october-7-2026/Update October 6 at 6:30 AM EDT: The Gale Watch cited in earlier updates is not showing in active NWS Morehead City products. AMZ152 (Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras) SCA was cancelled; remaining NC coastal zone SCAs expire by 5 PM EDT Tuesday. Offshore NC zones carry no active watches or warnings. Confirm the zone forecast at weather.gov/mhx before any Wednesday or Thursday departure.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-maine-coastal-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-maine-coastal-october-6-2026/Update Wednesday October 7 at 6:35 PM EDT: NWS Caribou ME re-issued the Small Craft Advisory for Downeast Maine coastal zones (Eastport to Stonington) through Thursday, October 8 at 8:00 PM EDT. NWS Gray ME midcoast SCA (Stonington through Penobscot Bay to the Merrimack River MA) remains through the same expiration. Departure checks: weather.gov/car (Downeast) and weather.gov/gyx (midcoast and southern Maine).Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-sc-ga-coastal-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/gale-warning-sc-ga-coastal-october-6-2026/Updated October 6 at 7:00 AM EDT: NWS Charleston morning product confirms all six Gale Warning zones active. South Santee to Edisto coastal and offshore zones and the Edisto to Savannah coastal zone expire 8:00 PM EDT Tuesday; the Edisto to Savannah offshore zone and both Savannah to Altamaha Sound zones run to 10:00 PM EDT Tuesday. High Surf Advisory for southeastern SC and coastal GA through 2:00 PM EDT Wednesday.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-southern-new-england-october-6-2026/https://saltwaternews.com/news/small-craft-advisory-southern-new-england-october-6-2026/Updated October 11 at 2:35 PM EDT: NWS Boston/Norton MA issued Small Craft Advisories for Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and adjacent offshore zones through 6:00 AM EDT Monday, October 12. Coastal waters from Provincetown MA to Nantucket MA out 20 NM and the Montauk NY to Martha's Vineyard corridor are also under advisory through 6:00 AM EDT Monday. Pre-dawn and early Monday departures from Point Judith, Newport, Watch Hill, and Block Island-area ports are inside active SCA zones. Check weather.gov/box. Prior: Updated October 9 at 8:47 AM EDT: NWS Boston re-issued Small Craft Advisories for all Southern New England zones through 7:00 PM EDT Friday. Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, Ipswich Bay, Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay, Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and offshore zones from Provincetown to Block Island all expire at 7:00 PM EDT Friday. Friday departures in this corridor run inside the advisory through early evening.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/red-drum-atlantic-slot-limits-fall/https://saltwaternews.com/news/red-drum-atlantic-slot-limits-fall/The fall corridor from the Chesapeake to northern Florida is active now. A red drum slot limit protects fish at both ends of the size range, not just small ones. Rules differ by state and are not interchangeable.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/early-season-noreaster-east-coast-fishing-conditions/https://saltwaternews.com/news/early-season-noreaster-east-coast-fishing-conditions/Storm-force wind, rough seas, coastal flooding, and high surf are affecting the Northeast coast through the weekend. Check the exact marine zone before any launch or inlet crossing.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/fall-bluefin-tuna-guide-atlantic/https://saltwaternews.com/news/fall-bluefin-tuna-guide-atlantic/School bluefin are already appearing off New Jersey. The permit, the retention category, and current status all require confirming before departure.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/false-albacore-fall-run/https://saltwaternews.com/news/false-albacore-fall-run/Little tunny are notoriously difficult to fool on artificial lures. The run reaches South Jersey in early September and moves through Long Island through mid-October. By late month, the front pushes into the Outer Banks.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/striped-bass-fall-run-atlantic/https://saltwaternews.com/news/striped-bass-fall-run-atlantic/The fall striped bass migration tracks south from Cape Cod through the Chesapeake on a water-temperature schedule. Regional timing, the coast-wide 28-to-31-inch slot limit, key state season differences, forage context, and conditions signal for the East Coast fall run.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/atlantic-tropics-what-anglers-should-watch/https://saltwaternews.com/news/atlantic-tropics-what-anglers-should-watch/A disturbance does not need a name to alter an offshore plan. Here is the official-data chain worth watching.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/bluefin-status-page-bookmark/https://saltwaternews.com/news/bluefin-status-page-bookmark/NOAA’s HMS status page is the first stop for category status, retention limits, and size information.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/how-the-bite-wire-works/https://saltwaternews.com/news/how-the-bite-wire-works/Freshness, attribution, location confidence, and sample size beat a fake one-number bite score.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/fall-run-rig-check/https://saltwaternews.com/news/fall-run-rig-check/Leader, split rings, hooks, pliers, and PFDs deserve a harder look before rougher shoulder-season water.Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://saltwaternews.com/news/summer-flounder-black-sea-bass-season-calendar/https://saltwaternews.com/news/summer-flounder-black-sea-bass-season-calendar/State seasons and federal recreational rules differ for both species. In early October, some Mid-Atlantic state seasons have already closed. Four items belong on the pre-trip check.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT