How to catch Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Also known as striper, rockfish, linesider.
The striped bass is the premier inshore gamefish of the US East Coast, prized for its willingness to hit lures and its dramatic seasonal migrations.
🏆 World record: 81 lb IGFA all-tackle, Westbrook, Connecticut, USA (2011). IGFA all-tackle world record striped bass, 81 pounds 14 ounces caught in Long Island Sound off Westbrook, Connecticut in 2011. IGFA records can change over time, so verify at igfa.org. All records →
Where to find them
Surf, rips, estuaries, rocky shorelines, and bays
Season
Spring and fall migrations; summer at northern latitudes
Best baits & lures for Striped Bass
Fish moving water at first and last light. Live eels and bunker take the biggest fish after dark, while bucktails and plugs shine during a blitz.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Striped Bass when conditions line up.
Ways to catch Striped Bass
Catch to table: Striped Bass
One of the best-eating inshore fish, prized by anglers and chefs alike. Keep legal slot-size fish and follow local size and bag limits.
Taste: Firm, white, moderately flaky flesh with a clean, mild flavor. Holds together well on the grill or in a pan.
Cleaning: Fillet along the backbone, then remove the skin and trim away the dark red bloodline down the center of each fillet for the cleanest taste.
How to cook it
- • Pan-sear skin-on fillets in butter with lemon and herbs.
- • Grill thick fillets or steaks over medium-high heat.
- • Roast whole with garlic, olive oil, and fresh thyme.
Tip: Bleed and ice immediately; trim the bloodline before cooking to keep the flavor mild.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch Striped Bass
Book a Striped Bass charter
Guides and charter boats that target Striped Bass, by destination:
Catching Striped Bass: FAQ
What's the best bait for Striped Bass?
Proven options include live eels, bunker (menhaden), clams, bucktail jigs. Fish moving water at first and last light. Live eels and bunker take the biggest fish after dark, while bucktails and plugs shine during a blitz.
When is the best time to catch Striped Bass?
Spring and fall migrations; summer at northern latitudes. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Striped Bass?
Look for Surf, rips, estuaries, rocky shorelines, and bays. Anglers target them at spots like Montauk, Cape Cod, Rockaway.
Anglers also target
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