Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
The iconic inshore and surf species of the East and West coasts
📅 When to Fish
Habitat
Atlantic coast from Maine to North Carolina; Pacific coast of California. Estuaries, surf, jetties, rocky points. Migrate seasonally — north in summer, south in winter.
Best Season
Spring migration (April-June) in the Northeast is prime. Fall migration (September-November) equally good. California: winter and spring near river mouths.
Best Times
Dawn and dusk at the surface. Night fishing from jetties and beaches is extremely productive.
Record
81 lbs 14 oz
Ideal Water Temp
55–70°F
Top Lures & Baits
- •Surface swimmer (Darter or pencil popper) at dawn
- •Bunker chunk on the bottom
- •Bucktail jig with pork rind
- •Soft plastic swimbait
- •Live eel at night from a jetty
🔍 Identification
Silver body with 7-8 continuous horizontal black stripes running from head to tail. Large bass-like body. Two separate dorsal fins. Stripes more defined than white bass.
🍽️ Eating Quality
Excellent — white, firm, mild, slightly sweet flesh. One of the most commercially important fish on the East Coast.
📍 Where to Find It
🎣 Beginner Tip
At dawn on a beach in spring, look for diving birds and surface commotion — that is stripers chasing bait. Cast a metal lip swimmer into the action and reel at medium speed just below the surface. This is one of the most exciting moments in fishing.