Striped Bass Fishing Tips

Would you like to learn how to catch more striped bass? Are you looking for striped bass fishing tips to become more successful with fishing for striped bass? Striped bass is one of the most sought-after gamefish in the United States.

They are constantly on the move and behave unpredictably at times. In this article, we share striped bass fishing tips to help you catch more striped bass.

How To Catch Striped Bass

1. Trolling

Trolling for striped bass is a highly effective and popular fishing method that allows anglers to cover a wide area of water while targeting these powerful and elusive fish. Anglers typically use a boat equipped with specialized trolling rods, reels, and downriggers to present lures or baits at various depths and distances from the vessel.

Common trolling lures for striped bass include deep-diving plugs, umbrella rigs, and large spoons. By varying the speed of the boat and the depth at which the lures are presented, anglers can effectively target striped bass at different levels of the water column and in various areas of the water body. Trolling allows anglers to search for actively feeding fish and locate schools of striped bass, making it a productive method for both recreational and commercial anglers.

Additionally, trolling can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time on the water, offering anglers the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and camaraderie of fishing with friends or family while pursuing striped bass.

2. Fly Fishing

Fly fishing for striped bass is a captivating and rewarding method that requires skill and precision. Anglers typically target striped bass in estuaries, bays, and coastal waters, where these powerful fish feed on baitfish and crustaceans.

Using specialized fly rods, reels, and lines, anglers cast large, bulky flies that imitate the movement and appearance of baitfish or other prey. Popular fly patterns for striped bass include Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, and Half-and-Halfs. Anglers often sight-fish for striped bass, casting their flies into shallow water and retrieving them with short, quick strips to entice strikes.

Fly fishing for striped bass requires anglers to adapt to changing conditions, such as tide movements and wind direction, to effectively present their flies to feeding fish. This method offers anglers a unique and immersive experience, combining the thrill of the chase with the artistry of fly casting amidst the scenic beauty of coastal environments.

3. Surf Fishing

Surf fishing for striped bass is an exhilarating and challenging method that involves casting lures or baits from the shoreline into the waves of coastal waters where striped bass are known to roam. Anglers wade into the surf or fish from the beach, jetties, or rocky shores, targeting areas with strong currents, sandbars, or underwater structures where striped bass congregate to feed.

Depending on the conditions and preferences, anglers use a variety of lures such as spoons, plugs, or soft plastics, or natural baits like bunker, clams, or sand eels. The key to success in surf fishing for striped bass lies in understanding the movements of these migratory fish, as they follow baitfish schools along the coastline during their annual migrations.

Anglers must also consider factors such as tides, currents, and weather conditions when planning their surf fishing trips. Surf fishing for striped bass offers anglers a thrilling and immersive experience, connecting them with the raw power of these iconic gamefish amidst the crashing waves and scenic coastal landscapes.

4. Night Fishing

Night fishing for striped bass is a thrilling and productive method that offers anglers a unique experience under the cover of darkness. Striped bass are known to be more active during the night, often feeding closer to the shoreline or in shallower waters.

Anglers typically target striped bass from boats equipped with navigation lights or from the shore using specialized lights to attract baitfish and lure in predatory fish like striped bass. Common baits used for night fishing include live eels, chunk baits, or large plugs that create noise and vibration to attract striped bass in low-light conditions.

Anglers rely on their senses of hearing and touch to detect strikes, often feeling the powerful pull of a striped bass in the darkness. Night fishing for striped bass requires anglers to be familiar with the water body, employing techniques such as drifting with the current or anchoring near the structure where striped bass are likely to gather. Overall, night fishing for striped bass offers anglers an exciting and productive opportunity to pursue these prized gamefish under the cloak of darkness.

Striped Bass Fishing Tackle

A 7 to 9-foot rod rated for 2 ounces paired with a 3000 to 5000-size reel with a 20 to 30-pound test will work for catching striped bass.  For catching large stripers, a 10 to 11-foot rod rated for 4 to 8 ounces with a 5000 to 8000-size reel, a 40-pound braided line, and a leader will get the job done.

How To Catch Striped Bass From Shore

When fishing for striped bass from the shore, study the water to find where there are strong currents. Striped bass like waters with strong currents as they are built that allow them to overwhelm their prey in waters with strong currents.

Where there are strong currents striped bass will not shy away. It is the perfect place where they can ambush their prey since they have thick, muscular bodies.

Small channels and tidal rivers, troughs, sand beaches, and bowls are places where striped bass will ambush their prey. If you find small tidal rivers and channels that empty into the ocean, striped bass will be there feeding on baitfish.

If there are rip currents or breaks in sand bars, the current created by the water that is moving in and out flushes out baitfish which presents easy meals for striped bass.

During the spring and fall, target the outgoing tide and during the summer, fish the incoming current as striped bass like cooler water. When fishing for striped bass, observe the direction of the wind and look for spots where the wind is hitting directly into your face.

That will be a good spot as the wind will wash baitfish into that direction and striped bass will position itself in that area to get a lot of free meals of baitfish. Cast your baits or lures around the edges of the current which is better, although you can cast them directly into the current.

How To Catch Striped Bass From A Boat

Fishing for striped bass from a boat can be very rewarding. Anglers often search fish finders and sonar devices for areas where striped bass are located. Then they target them using different fishing methods.

Anglers often locate shore points, bridge pilings, jetties, and sand bars. Then they cast plugs or other lures close to these structures targeting striped bass.

Additionally, early in the morning, anglers will cast plugs or other lures to the edge of sod banks within the estuaries along the east coast.

Drift fishing is also used when fishing for striped bass. Live bait or lures are used when drifting for striped bass. Additionally, drifting over structures or lumps on the bottom can also prove rewarding when fishing for striped bass.

Trolling using deep diving plugs, spoons, worms or rigged baits is another way to target striped bass. Jigging and chumming with clams can also be very productive when fishing for striped bass.

How To Catch Striped Bass In Rivers

When fishing for striped bass in rivers, try to locate structures like jetties, sand bars, and shore points. Additionally, striped bass likes to prey on clams. If you can locate clam beds, you can anchor them and fish for striped bass using clams as bait. Usually after a storm, anglers will anchor over the clam bed as striped bass will be feeding on broken clams.

This presents an ideal situation to use clam as bait and catch striped bass. Talk with other anglers in the area, as well as the people at the local tackle shops about where clam beds are located. You can also contact the fishery authorities for that information.

Trolling, chumming, drift fishing, jigging, and casting are fishing methods that you can use to catch striped bass. Lures and baits are used when fishing for striped bass in a river.

How To Catch Striped Bass From Pier

When fishing for striped bass from a pier, you can use chumming to attract them closer to you. When they are close, then you can drop your bait and when they bite, set the hook and reel them in.

When fishing for striped bass from the pier, you will have to be fast after chumming as there will be many close by and that will be your opportunity to catch many. Bridge pilings are other structures that you can target when fishing for striped bass.

How To Catch Striped Bass In Maine

During spring and fall, striped bass moves up and down the east coast. When fishing for striped bass in Maine, look for structures like jetties, sand bars, points, and shore points.

Additionally, use your fish finder to pinpoint areas where they may be hanging out. Trolling, drifting, jigging, casting, and chumming are fishing methods that you can use with baits and lures to catch striped bass.

How To Catch Striped Bass In Long Island Sound

Long Island may not be widely known for its waters and what lies in them, but Long Island has diverse species of fish that will keep anglers fishing all day. Striped bass is one species of fish that you can find anywhere in the waters of Long Island.

There are many ways you can fish for striped bass on Long Island Sound or any other part of Long Island. Trolling is one of the popular fishing methods used when targeting striped bass on Long Island Sound. Live baits, jigs, spoons, plugs, and rigged baits are used when fishing for striped bass on Long Island Sound.

Baitcasting, fly fishing, chumming, and drift fishing are all fishing methods you can use to catch striped bass on Long Island Sound. It is good to hire an experienced guide to guide you on your fishing trip.

How To Catch Striped Bass At Night

Fishing for striped bass at night or at dawn and dusk can be more productive than during the day. Striped bass feeds heavily at night as the fishing pressure is reduced. Additionally, larger fish will be out at night feeding which will increase your chances of catching the large ones.

Use a headlamp or other light to help you see into the water. However, use a red light; not white light, and don’t shine the light on the water as that will spook the fish and they will leave. Chumming and baitcasting are fishing methods that can be used when fishing at night.

Striped Bass Fishing Tips

1. Early April to late September is the best time to catch striped bass.

2. Striped bass will move to deeper waters on reefs and ledges with cooler water during the summer.

3. During the spring and fall when striped bass migrates, they feed on large schools of bait which renders them vulnerable as there are scenarios where a lot of fish can be caught in a limited period of time. Reefs, bridges, inlets, boulder fields, mouths of rivers, and breachways are places where you can catch the striped bass.

4. Documenting everything about striped bass, where they reside, what they eat, the time of the year, wind direction, water temperature, moon cycles, tides, bait, lures, weather conditions, etc. helps you identify their patterns and behavior to be successful in catching them.

5. Learning the time of the day that striped bass feed, the bait, their level of activity, and prevailing conditions help you to catch striped bass.

6. Striped bass move to muddy and sandy shallow flats where the water temperature is warmer than other surrounding areas.

7. The moon cycles play a key role in catching striped bass. Three days before a new or full moon and three days after delivers the best fishing due to more vertical water movement. Studying the phases of the moon is good for anglers.

8. Winds affect the behavior of striped bass and learning that will help in catching them as they tend to feed aggressively on schools of baitfish after strong winds in late August and the fall.

9. Striped bass anglers focus on creeks, estuaries, bays, and tidal rivers in early spring. As they began migrating in spring, they swim northward in schools that are ideal for surf and beach fishing. In the summer, they look for cooler waters as the bays, rivers, and estuaries contain lower levels of oxygen due to increases in the water temperature.

10. Water temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees are ideal for striped bass. They start leaving when the water temperature gets closer to 48 to 50 degrees.

11. You can catch striped bass in the winter in places where they “holdover” until they realize it’s time to migrate north.

12. In the beginning and late stages of the season when schools of stripe bass are everywhere, high-low rigs become popular. During this period, anglers catch many.

13. Using live bait from the area is a tried and tested method to catch striped bass. They eat baitfish, marine organisms, and shellfish in the area.

14. Use a non-offset circle hook when fishing for striped bass with bait. it reduces the mortality rates by minimizing the instances of the bass swallowing bait and getting hooked in the stomach.

15. Some of the newest lures have built-in scents to get the fish to strike. Attach an artificial lure to the end of your fishing line.

16. Fishing at night can sometimes prove to be more productive than daytime if you fish in an area with a lot of boat traffic and noise during the day. Striped bass will stop feeding if there are loud noises and heavy boat traffic.

17. Large striped bass will move to shallow water when it gets dark. This presents an opportunity for shore and surf anglers. The lure retrieve speeds are slower at this time of fishing.

18. By increasing the speed of the retrieve will trigger strikes from striped bass that are feeding in clear water. This fast motion prevents the fish from scrutinizing the lure and it will arouse their predatory instincts if they are looking for prey.

19. Take advantage of white water nearby if striped bass is skittish about falling for an artificial lure in clear water. Resort to fish in the white water instead.

20. When you are feeding stripers, certain colors do a better job than others. it is best to use baits and lures that imitate the baitfish in the area.

How To Catch Striped Bass From Shore

With a weighted slider, you can fish for striped bass from the shore by casting up tide and bringing your tip down to a 45-degree angle. With a medium retrieve, you can begin to pull in and see if that will get the attention of the stripers.

Alternate between a medium and fast retrieve and then back to a medium retrieve to mimic a fleeing bait fish. This is just one way of fishing for stripers on the shore. There are many options with different baits and lures.

Best Striped Bass Baits

1. Sand Worms

Sandworms are a highly effective and popular bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, prized gamefish known for their strong fighting ability and delicious flesh. These segmented marine worms emit a natural scent and possess lively movements that striped bass find irresistible.

Anglers typically rig sandworms on hooks or jigheads and present them near the bottom in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as sandy flats, rocky shorelines, or near submerged structures. The enticing aroma and wriggling action of sandworms provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

Whether fishing during the day or night, sandworms offer versatility and effectiveness in enticing striped bass into biting. With their availability at bait shops and proven success in attracting striped bass, sandworms provide anglers with a reliable and rewarding option for pursuing these prized gamefish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

2. Menhaden

Menhaden, also known as bunker or pogies, are an excellent bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, prized gamefish renowned for their powerful runs and voracious appetite. These oily, silvery fish emit a strong scent and possess a natural swimming action that striped bass find irresistible.

Anglers often use fresh or frozen menhaden rigged on hooks or fishing rigs and present them near the surface or at various depths in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as near structures, rips, or along the coastline. The oily scent and lifelike movement of menhaden provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

3. Herring

Herring are an excellent bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, prized gamefish known for their strength and voracious appetite. These silvery fish emit a strong scent and possess a natural swimming action that striped bass find irresistible.

Anglers typically use fresh or frozen herring rigged on hooks or fishing rigs and present them near the surface or at various depths in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as near structures, rips, or along the coastline. The oily scent and lifelike movement of herring provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

4. Live Eels

Live eels are an exceptional bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish prized for their power and size. These slender and wriggling creatures emit a natural scent and possess lifelike movements that striped bass find irresistible.

Anglers typically rig live eels on hooks or fishing rigs and present them near the bottom in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as rocky structures, drop-offs, or tidal currents. The enticing aroma and realistic swimming action of live eels provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a preferred bait option, especially during nocturnal hours when striped bass are more active.

5. Porgy

Using porgy as bait for striped bass fishing can be effective, especially in areas where porgy are abundant and where striped bass frequent. Porgies, also known as scup, are a common baitfish found in coastal waters and estuaries along the Atlantic coast. Their oily flesh and strong scent make them attractive to striped bass, enticing them to strike.

Anglers typically rig porgies on hooks or fishing rigs and present them near the bottom in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as rocky structures, drop-offs, or near tidal currents. While not as widely used as other bait options, porgies can still be successful in enticing striped bass into biting, particularly when they are locally abundant.

5. Mackerel

Mackerel is a highly effective and popular bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, renowned gamefish known for their strength and aggressive feeding habits. These oily and flavorful fish emit a strong scent and possess a natural swimming action that striped bass find irresistible.

Anglers usually use fresh or frozen mackerel rigged on hooks or fishing rigs and present them near the surface or at various depths in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as near structures, rips, or along the coastline. The oily scent and lifelike movement of mackerel provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

6. Bloodworms

Bloodworms are a highly effective and popular bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, and prized gamefish known for their aggressive feeding habits and powerful runs. These marine worms emit a distinctive scent and possess a lively wriggling action that striped bass find irresistible.

Anglers often rig bloodworms on hooks or jigheads and present them near the bottom in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as rocky structures, drop-offs, or near tidal currents. The enticing aroma and natural movement of bloodworms provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

7. Clams

Clams are a time-tested and effective bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish renowned for their strength and fighting ability. These mollusks emit a natural scent and possess a firm texture that striped bass find appealing.

Anglers often use fresh or frozen clam baits, such as surf clams or quahogs, rigged on hooks or fishing rigs and presented near the bottom in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as rocky structures, drop-offs, or tidal currents. The enticing aroma and realistic appearance of clam baits provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

8. Squid

Squid is a versatile and effective bait choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish known for their strength and aggression. These cephalopods emit a strong scent and possess a texture that striped bass find enticing.

Anglers often use fresh or frozen squid, rigged on hooks or fishing rigs and presented near the bottom or trolled through the water column in areas where striped bass are known to congregate, such as rocky structures, drop-offs, or along the coastline. The natural aroma and lifelike appearance of squid baits provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored bait option.

Best Striped Bass Artificial Lures

1. Poppers

Poppers are an exciting and effective lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish known for their aggressive feeding behavior and strong fights. These topwater lures typically feature a concave face that creates splashes and commotion on the surface when retrieved, mimicking the movements of injured baitfish or prey.

Anglers can vary the retrieve speed and cadence to elicit strikes from striped bass in different conditions. Poppers are particularly effective during low-light periods or when striped bass are feeding near the surface, such as during dawn, dusk, or overcast days. Anglers often target areas with structure, such as rocky outcrops, jetties, or submerged logs, where striped bass are likely to ambush prey.

The surface strikes from striped bass-hitting poppers are exhilarating and memorable, adding to the excitement of the fishing experience. With their versatility and proven effectiveness, poppers provide anglers with a thrilling and rewarding option for pursuing striped bass, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing adventure on the water.

2. Minnow Swimmers

Minnow swimmers are a highly effective and versatile lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish known for their aggressive feeding behavior and powerful fights. These lures typically mimic the appearance and swimming action of small baitfish, making them irresistible to striped bass.

Minnow swimmers come in various sizes, colors, and designs to match the preferences of striped bass in different conditions. Anglers can retrieve minnow swimmers at various speeds and depths, allowing them to cover a wide range of water columns and areas where striped bass are likely to be found, such as rocky points, weed beds, or drop-offs.

3. Plugs

Plugs are a classic and effective lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, renowned gamefish known for their aggressive feeding habits and powerful runs. These lures typically mimic the appearance and swimming action of baitfish or other prey, making them irresistible to striped bass.

Plugs come in various shapes, sizes, and diving depths to match the preferences of striped bass in different conditions. Anglers can cast plugs along rocky shorelines, jetties, or submerged structures, allowing them to cover a wide range of water columns where striped bass are likely to be found. The lifelike swimming action and realistic appearance of plugs provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored lure option.

4. Bucktails

Bucktails are a tried-and-true lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, and prized gamefish celebrated for their strength and voracious appetite. These lures typically consist of a lead jighead adorned with deer hair or synthetic fibers tied to resemble the tail of a baitfish. Bucktails come in various sizes and colors to match the preferences of striped bass in different conditions.

Anglers can retrieve bucktails at various speeds and depths, allowing them to cover a wide range of water columns where striped bass are likely to be found, such as rocky points, weed beds, or drop-offs. The pulsating action and lifelike appearance of bucktails provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored lure option.

5. Diamond Jigs

Diamond jigs are a popular and effective lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, renowned gamefish known for their strength and aggressive feeding behavior. These lures typically feature a diamond-shaped body with reflective surfaces that create flashes of light underwater, mimicking the appearance of baitfish.

Diamond jigs come in various sizes and weights to match the preferences of striped bass in different conditions. Anglers can jig diamond jigs along the bottom or cast them into schools of baitfish, allowing them to cover a wide range of water columns where striped bass are likely to be found, such as rocky points, weed beds, or drop-offs. The shimmering action and realistic appearance of diamond jigs provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored lure option.

6. Spoons

Spoons are a classic and effective lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish known for their aggressive feeding habits and powerful fights. These lures typically feature a concave, metallic body with a reflective surface that creates flashes of light underwater, mimicking the appearance of baitfish.

Spoons come in various sizes, shapes, and finishes to match the preferences of striped bass in different conditions. Anglers can cast spoons along rocky shorelines, jetties, or submerged structure, allowing them to cover a wide range of water columns where striped bass are likely to be found. The flashy action and realistic appearance of spoons provoke aggressive strikes from striped bass, making them a favored lure option.

7. Soft Plastics

Soft plastics are a versatile and effective lure choice for anglers targeting striped bass, esteemed gamefish known for their strength and voracious feeding habits. These lures come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, mimicking a wide range of baitfish and prey species.

Soft plastics can be rigged on jigheads, swimbait hooks, or Texas rigs, allowing anglers to fish them at various depths and in different types of cover or structures where striped bass are likely to be found. Anglers can impart lifelike movements to soft plastics by twitching, jerking, or dragging them along the bottom, enticing strikes from striped bass.

The natural appearance and realistic action of soft plastics make them highly attractive to striped bass, especially when presented in areas with strong currents, rocky outcrops, or submerged vegetation.

The Bottom Line

Striped bass is a migratory fish that is unpredictable. It is one of the most sought-after fish by anglers. Whether you are a beginner or have a lot of experience, striped bass fishing tips, like fly fishing tips, will help you learn how to catch more striped bass. If you also fish for shad, then this article about shad fishing tips will help you be more successful fishing for shad.