LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

• Striped bass, known for their powerful runs and fighting spirit, inhabit various bodies of water along the Northeast coast of the United States.

• These iconic fish are commonly found in rivers, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters, providing anglers with thrilling opportunities for pursuit.

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

• Striped bass prefer areas with rocky structure, tidal currents, and submerged debris, where they can find baitfish and other prey.

• Look for them near rocky shorelines, underwater ledges, and areas with strong tidal currents, where nutrient-rich water attracts baitfish schools.

• Pay attention to water temperature, clarity, and tidal movement, as these factors can influence striped bass behavior.

• Moving tides are usually more productive. Areas with currents. Use a fish finder and depth charts.

• Search for bait and birds

PATTERNS

SPRING

• During the spring months, striped bass migrate into rivers, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters along the Northeast coast in search of spawning grounds and abundant prey. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, plugs, and soft plastics. Look for areas with rocky structure, submerged debris, and tidal currents, where striped bass are likely to gather in large numbers. Additionally, consider fishing around river mouths, tidal flats, and areas with baitfish schools where striped bass may feed actively near the surface.

  
  

SUMMER

• In the summer, striped bass can be found in rivers, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters, where they feed on baitfish and other prey. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, plugs, and soft plastics. Focus on areas with rocky structure, submerged debris, and strong tidal currents, where striped bass are likely to feed on baitfish schools. Additionally, consider fishing during early morning or late evening when water temperatures are cooler and striped bass are more active near the surface.

  
  

FALL

• As temperatures cool down in the fall, striped bass become more aggressive in preparation for their migration southward. Target them using casting or trolling techniques with artificial lures, plugs, and soft plastics. Look for areas with rocky structure, submerged debris, and tidal currents, where striped bass are likely to feed actively before their migration. Additionally, consider fishing around river mouths, tidal flats, and areas with baitfish schools where striped bass may gather to feed before their migration southward for the winter.

  
  

WINTER

• During the winter months, striped bass may move into deeper offshore waters or overwinter in rivers and estuaries along the Northeast coast. Target them using vertical jigging, live bait, or bottom fishing techniques with baited rigs, jigs, and sinkers. Focus on areas with deep water, rocky structure, and submerged debris, where striped bass are likely to seek shelter and ambush prey. Additionally, consider fishing around warm water discharges or deep channels where striped bass may congregate to escape cooler water temperatures and increase their activity levels.

Bait

• Crab, Soft Crab Menhaden, Spot, Clam, Bloodworms.

Techniques

Bait Fishing

• How: Use live or dead bait such as bunker, clams, eels, or worms and fish in areas with structure such as rock piles, drop-offs, or jetties. Cast out and let the bait sit, or use a slow retrieve. Striped bass can be picky eaters, so try different baits until you find what they are biting.

• Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy spinning or conventional rods. Reels: 4000-6000 size spinning reels or 300-size conventional reels. Line: 20-30lb test monofilament or braided line. Hooks: 5/0 to 8/0 live bait hooks, or circle hooks when using live bait to reduce the risk of gut hooking.

Artificial Lures

• How: Striped bass are attracted to a variety of lures including soft plastics, topwater lures, and swimbaits. Fish around structure such as rock piles, drop-offs, or jetties. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy spinning or conventional rods. Reels: 4000-6000 size spinning reels or 300-size conventional reels. Line: 20-30lb test braided line or fluorocarbon leader. Lures: Soft plastics, topwater lures, swimbaits, and jigs.

Fly Fishing:

• How: Striped bass can be caught on a variety of fly patterns, including baitfish imitations and poppers. Fish around structure such as rock piles, drop-offs, or jetties. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: 8-10 wt fly rod. Reels: Reel to match size fly rod. Line: Floating/Sinking/Intermediate depending on situations. Leaders: 9-12ft 15-20lb fluorocarbon leaders with tippet sizes ranging from 8-12lb. Flies: Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, and poppers.

Surf Fishing

• How: Look for troughs, sandbars, and other structure near shore. Cast out with bait or lures and let it drift with the current. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy surf rods. Reels: 6000-8000 size spinning reels or 400-size conventional reels. Line: 30-40lb test braided line or fluorocarbon leader. Hooks: 5/0 to 8/0 live bait hooks, or circle hooks when using live bait to reduce the risk of gut hooking.

Trolling

• How: Trolling is a popular method for catching striped bass, especially when they are in deeper waters. Use downriggers or planer boards to get your lures or bait down to the desired depth and troll along drop-offs or underwater structure. Vary your speed until you find what works best.

• Gear: Rods: Medium-heavy trolling rods. Reels: Trolling reels with high line capacity. Line: 40-50lb test monofilament or braided line. Lures/Bait: Umbrella rigs, bucktail jigs, swimming plugs, live eels, or live baitfish.