If you are used to fishing for small panfish or trout and have never had your bait get slammed by a big striped bass, you ought to give it a try. To get you set up, West Marine has the fishing rods, reels, lures and terminal tackle you need.
- Where Can You Catch Striped Bass?
- How Big Do Striped Bass Get?
- What Kind of Tackle Do You Need To Catch Striped Bass?
- What Kind of Lures and Baits Catch Striped Bass?
- What Time of Year is Best for Catching Stripers
- Know the Law!
- Striper Fishing Tips
- Need More Help?
Where Can You Catch Striped Bass?
Striped bass, or "rockfish" as they are sometimes called on the East Coast, are native to the Atlantic Coast of North America, where they are found in areas of tidal current and in proximity to breaking waves along the coast. They are caught throughout the entire Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region and to a lesser degree in the Southeast, as far south as Florida.
In the 1870s, a small number of striped bass were transported from the East Coast and released into San Francisco Bay and nearby waters. Today, a strong population of stripers flourishes along the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington, with the mecca for striped bass fishing being upper San Francisco Bay and the San Juaquin/Sacramento River Delta.
How Big Do Striped Bass Get?
Really big, depending on where you fish. While a typical striper weighs in at 3–20 pounds, in areas with optimal habitat and food resources, anglers occasionally land "cows" over 4 feet in length and weighing over 50 pounds. The IGFA world record for the heaviest striped bass caught on rod and reel stands at 81 pounds, 14 ounces caught in Long Island Sound off Westbrook, Connecticut on August 4, 2011.
What Kind of Tackle Do You Need To Catch Striped Bass?
Given just how big stripers can get, unless you are out to set an IGFA light tackle world record — and lose a lot of fish — consider gearing up accordingly.
- For Trolling: A medium- or heavy-action 6 1/2–7 foot conventional or baitcasting combo in the 20–40 pound (mono) line class will serve you well.
- For Bank Fishing: A 6 1/2–7 foot medium- or heavy-action spinning or baitcasting combo, also in the 20–40 pound line class, is a good choice.
- For Surf Fishing: An 8–10 foot (or longer) medium-action spinning combo is the way to go.
What Kind of Lures and Baits Catch Striped Bass?
- For trolling or spin fishing: Put Yo-Zuri and Rapala crank baits and umbrella rigs at the top of your list.
- For bank fishing, fishing from a boat at anchor, or surf fishing: Many a striped bass has succumbed to a sand crab, sardine, chicken liver, pile worm or on the East Coast, a chunk of menhaden, mullet or eel dangled before its eyes.
Hard baits like this Yo-Zuri lure take a lot of striped bass.What Time of Year is Best for Catching Stripers?
Spring, summer and fall are when most stripers are caught. In the spring, stripers congregate along our coasts and as the waters warm up, they begin to move into estuaries and rivers to spawn. The timing of the spawning migration can vary depending on water temperature, river flow, and other environmental factors.
Know the Law!
Since the regulations governing fishing licenses, bag limits, terminal tackle and other aspects of fishing vary by state and even for specific areas within a state, check your state's fish and wildlife department's website for the rules. Know before your go!
Striper Fishing Tips
- Follow the Birds: When fishing from a boat, look for congregations of birds which are often an indicator of baitfish upon which stripers are feeding.
- Mind the Tide: Stripers prefer moving water, which is why fishing on a flood or ebb tide is best.
- For City Slickers: While fishing is commonly associated with a "natural" environment, it's amazing how good striper fishing can be in urban areas. For example, The mouth of New Jersey's Raritan River, in spite of the oil refineries and heavy industry on its banks, is a prime location for catching stripers!
- Target Structure: Points, rocky shoals, and underwater ledges are all areas where stripers are likely to congregate.
- Learn to Read the Water: Develop the ability to read the water and identify likely striper feeding areas, such as rip currents, sandbars, drop-offs, and submerged structures.
- Catch and Release: Consider practicing catch-and-release fishing to conserve striped bass populations and promote sustainability.
- Stay Informed: Stay informed about local fishing regulations, including size and bag limits, closed seasons, and special regulations for striped bass.
Need More Help?
West Marine is the perfect place to get ready for your next fishing trip. We offer free line spooling and locally assorted tackle in most of our stores to gear you up for what’s biting in your area. Plus, with plenty of anglers on our crew, we have the know-how you need to get ready. Use our store locator to find a store near you.
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