How to Fish for Striped Bass - Ultimate Guide

Anatomy

Striped bass have elongated bodies with prominent lateral stripes running along their sides, hence their name. They have a pointed snout, two dorsal fins, and a large mouth equipped with sharp teeth.

Size and Weight

Striped bass can vary in size, ranging from a few pounds to over 50 pounds or more. The average size commonly caught by anglers is between 10 to 30 pounds.

Habitat

Striped bass are found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They inhabit coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, and lakes. They prefer areas with rocky bottoms, submerged structures, and strong currents.

Aggressiveness and Behavior

Striped bass are known for their aggressive feeding behavior, especially during certain times of the year such as spawning season or when chasing baitfish. They can be solitary hunters or form schools.

Feeding Preferences

Striped bass primarily feed on baitfish such as herring, shad, menhaden, and eels. They also consume crustaceans, squid, and other small prey. They are attracted to both live bait and artificial lures.

Fishing Techniques

Popular fishing techniques for striped bass include trolling, casting with lures or bait rigs, and drift fishing. Anglers often use live bait such as eels, bunker, or clams, as well as artificial lures mimicking baitfish.

World Record Catch

The current all-tackle world record for striped bass stands at 81 pounds, 14 ounces, caught off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1982.