Stripers prefer to feed in shallow water or in the upper one-third of the water column. They move to the most shallow water under the cover of darkness to feed on unsuspecting forage fish. Feeding continues as they move back toward deeper water when daylight replaces night.
What is the best bait for striped bass?
Bloodworms and Sandworms as Striped Bass Baits
Bloodworms and sandworms are highly effective striper baits just about everywhere these fish are found, virtually any time of the year.
What is the best size striped bass to eat?
From an eating standpoint, stripers are at their best between 18 inches―the legal minimum―and 36 inches. Larger bass becomes coarser in texture and, because they are a top predator where they live, they can accumulate higher levels of heavy metals.
What pound test should I use for striped bass?
The Solution. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun.
What rod is best for striper fishing?
Best Striper Fishing Rods in 2022
- Okuma Classic Pro GLT & Rods.
- Ugly Stik Tiger Elite Spinning Fishing Rod.
- Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod.
- PENN Carnage II Boat Spinning Rod.
- SHIMANO TREVALA Spinning, Graphite Saltwater Jigging Rod.
- EatMyTackle Sabiki Rig Bait Fishing Rod (7ft.)
What is the best time to fish for striped bass?
Many people consider the new and full moons to be the best time to fish for stripers because they create strong ocean currents, which bass thrive in. Generally speaking, three days before a new or full moon, and the three days after produce the best fishing, because there is more vertical water movement.
What is the best time of day to fish for striped bass?
The best time of day to catch striped bass is early morning from dawn until about 2 hours after sunrise and late afternoon from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives.
Do striped bass feed on the bottom?
Striped bass are no exception to bass bottom-feeding behaviors, favoring insects, worms, and crustaceans. Like white bass, mostly juvenile striped bass are typically found closer to the bottom, but all will opportunistically and seasonally (in the winter) feed the bottom.
What is striped bass favorite food?
Striped bass eat a variety of foods, including fish such as alewives, flounder, sea herring, menhaden, mummichogs, sand lance, silver hake, tomcod, smelt, silversides, and eels, as well as lobsters, crabs, soft clams, small mussels, sea worms, and squid.
What time of day do striped bass feed?
Stripers are still going to be more active at dawn and dusk, but the dawn feeding period will usually last longer. The dusk feeding period will also start earlier. Once those periods are over, their conditioning will typically take them to the same locations as on a sunny day.
How deep do you fish for striped bass?
Keep the bait at the right level.
Tube and worm trolling works best in water 3 to 7 feet (0.9 to 2.1 m) in depth, though it’s possible to fish as deep as 20 feet (6.1 m). Let the line out slowly, keeping it taut, until you feel the rig bouncing off the bottom.
What size hooks for striper?
The size of the circle hook you use for a striped bass rig depends on the size of the bait. For larger baits, like live menhaden (bunker or pogies), an 8/0 circle hook is ideal. For chunk baits and live eels or spot, a smaller 6/0 circle hook will work. Smaller baits, like seaworms, can be rigged on 2/0 circle hooks.
Is 20lb braid good for striped bass?
I decided to try 20lb and was amazed at how much better everything worked. Not as many birds nests, farther casts, good breaking strength, etc. I now use 20lb powerpro on all my rods, from flounder to jetty toggin, to surf stripers with metal or bait to head boat bassin.
What size reel is best for striped bass?
I typically would recommend pairing a medium power rod with a 4000 or 5000 class reel filled with 30lb test braid and a 12 or 15lb test fluorocarbon leader. This is an excellent spring rod for casting small to medium sized jigs, plugs and softbaits.
How old is a 28 inch striped bass?
Striped Bass Length to Weight Chart
| Length of fish | Approx. Weight of fish | Approx. Age of fish |
|---|---|---|
| 24 inches | 8 pounds | 5 years |
| 26-27 inches | 10 pounds | 6 years |
| 28 inches | 11-12 pounds | 7 years |
| 29 inches | 12-13 pounds | 8 years |
Is a 5000 reel good for striped bass?
The 5000 size is an excellent general go-to for targeting any kind of fish, such as bluefish or stripers.
Do striped bass like high or low tide?
During the early and late season when the water temperatures are on the cool side (50 degrees and less), the outgoing tide will be the preferred tide. This is because the lower water temperature will cause the striper’s metabolism to be sluggish and the bass will not feed as often or travel as far for a meal.
Do striped bass bite in the rain?
The rain can actually help the fishing as long as you can put up with it. With a light rain, the fishing is similar to cloudy conditions. Striped bass may feed in the shallows or up at the surface for longer than they normally would.
Where do striped bass go in the winter?
During autumn, stripers entertain anglers as they migrate south from New England. Large individuals then winter in ocean waters, but many of their smaller counterparts, known as schoolies, travel to major estuaries that support striped bass spawning, namely the Hudson and Delaware Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
What temperature do striped bass like?
around 55- to 68-degrees
If you want to catch stripers, all you need to know is the water temperature. It’s that simple. Stripers prefer water temperature around 55- to 68-degrees. If the water is too hot, they may feed shallow occasionally, but quickly return to the oxygenated rich, cooler water.
Do stripers bite in cold weather?
Though feeding may slow down when the water drops below 50 degrees, stripers can still be caught on the coldest days of the coldest winter – just don’t forget to bundle up before you start pounding the coastline for these wonderful sport fish.