The Basics of Striper Fishing

Striper fishing is a fun and lively sport for fishermen of all experience levels! Maybe you’ve always wanted to try it but haven’t had the chance, or maybe you’ve never even heard of striper fishing; either way we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for some basic information about striper fishing so you’re ready to dive right in with an outing of your own!

man holding striper fishWhat is a striper fish?

A striper fish—also known as stripers or rockfish—are striped bass native to the East Coast of the U.S. Typically striper fish that are caught range from five to eight pounds but have been known to exceed 70 pounds! The bigger they are, the deeper they swim. Because they do get pretty hefty, they tend to be a popular trophy fish and as a result have been planted in lakes all around the country for people to fish recreationally. For this reason, they’ve since become native to California.

Where do they live?

Striped bass migrate between fresh and salt water. They spawn in freshwater but spend most of their adult life in bodies of saltwater. They can adapt to both environments. The striper fish is luscious, savory and minerally in taste. As they increase in size, they tend to be more metallic as well.

How to catch a striper fish

Move quickly

The best way to catch striper fish is to move quickly and adjust your strategy to the conditions. These guys are speedy and unpredictable so the faster you retrieve your lure, the more likely you are to catch one. Make use of your fish finder to locate a good spot before you cast your line.

Lures and baits

If you’re using an artificial lure, try to grab something that mimics real swimming action rather than spinning out quickly. For live bait, it just depends on what’s native to your location; if you’re not sure you can always consult with local fishing shops (or book a trip with Morning Flight Charters and catch your own bait first!) Standard types of bait such as herring, menhaden, squid, sandworm, etc. will usually suffice. Be sure to store your bait in optimal conditions.

Check deep waters

When the weather is hot and sunny, stripers swim in deeper water so you might want to have a sinker on hand too—or if you’re looking for a bigger catch. Another thing to consider if you’re trying to snag a bigger bass is using live eel as your bait; it may be more appealing to the larger fish that dive deeper.

Striper fishing can be as challenging as you’d like it to be, and we can guarantee it’s always fun! Don’t miss out and book your charter today so you can put some bass on the table for dinner tonight!