Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) is a large, highly migratory temperate bass native to Atlantic drainages and widely stocked beyond its native range. It uses both salt and fresh water, spawning in rivers but feeding aggressively in estuaries, surf, and open coastal waters.
.png){kind=link}
Identification points
- Silvery body with 7–8 dark horizontal stripes along the sides, including a broken stripe above the pectoral fin
- Two distinct dorsal fins: a spiny front dorsal and a soft-rayed rear dorsal
- Deep, laterally compressed body with a slightly forked tail and large mouth
Habitat
Estuaries, river mouths, tidal rivers, bays, surf zones, inshore reefs, and deep channels; anadromous stocks spawn in flowing freshwater with strong current and then move to coastal and nearshore waters.
Bait notes
Live or cut menhaden, eels, herring, shad, mackerel, and squid are classic baits. Lures include bucktails, soft-plastic shads, metal jigs, topwaters, and swim plugs matched to local forage.
Behavior
Opportunistic predator that feeds on menhaden, shad, herring, anchovies, squid, and crabs. Often schools by size class, pushes bait to the surface at dawn/dusk, and feeds hard on moving tides, current seams, and bait concentrations.
Caution
Consult local regulations: many striped bass fisheries have strict size, bag, season, and slot limits. Large fish can accumulate contaminants such as PCBs or mercury in some waters, so heed local consumption advisories.
Fishing notes
Fish tidal current, rips, bridge pilings, drop-offs, and surf cuts; work lures through the strike zone with steady retrieves or lift-drop jigging. In rivers, target moving water below dams and spawning runs; use circle hooks for live bait where required.