Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) — called rockfish in the Chesapeake, linesiders on the coast, and stripers everywhere — are the most iconic gamefish of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast. Migratory fish that range from the St. Johns River in Florida to the St. Lawrence River in Canada, stripers draw millions of anglers to beaches, jetties, boats, and rivers every year. The fall run, when big fish stack up on the surf from Montauk to Cape Hatteras, is one of the most celebrated events in American fishing.
Where to Find Striped Bass: Range & Habitat
Striped bass are found from Florida to Canada along the Atlantic coast, with the primary spawning population in the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River. They are highly migratory, spending summer in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, wintering from the Carolinas south. They’re found in the surf, bays, rivers, inlets, and offshore structure — adapting to a wide range of salinity from pure freshwater to open ocean.
Best Tackle for Striped Bass
Surf Fishing
Rod: 10–12″ surf rod, medium-heavy to heavy action. Penn Prevail, Daiwa Emcast, or custom surf blanks.
Reel: Large spinning reel (6000–10000 size) with 300+ yards of 30–50 lb braid. Penn Spinfisher VI, Van Staal, or Shimano Ultegra.
Leader: 40–60 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon shock leader, 36–48 inches.
Boat Fishing
Rod: 7–8″ medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod.
Reel: 4000–6000 spinning or conventional with 20–40 lb braid.
Leader: 30–50 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament.
Top Techniques for Catching Striped Bass
Surf Fishing: Casting cut bunker (menhaden), live eels, or large plugs into the surf zone. Read the beach for structure — points, cuts, sandbars, and jetties concentrate fish. The two hours around dawn and dusk are most productive.
Live Lining (Bunker/Eels): Free-line a live mossbunker (menhaden) or live eel near structure, current edges, or in areas where bass are feeding. The most effective method for trophy fish.
Jigging: Bucktail jigs (1–6 oz) with pork rind or soft plastic trailers are classic striper producers in the Bay, around bridge pilings, and in the rips. Work the jig near the bottom with sharp hops.
Trolling: Bunker spoons, umbrella rigs (“spreader bars”), and deep-diving plugs at 3–5 knots locate and catch fish covering large areas. Popular in the Bay and on open water.
Plug Fishing: Surface swimmers, darters, and pencil poppers worked through breaking fish or along rip lines are extremely effective — and exciting. The Gibbs Polaris, Cotton Cordell Redfin, and Darter are classics.
Best Baits & Lures for Striped Bass
- Live Bunker (Menhaden): The #1 striper bait for big fish. Hook through the back or nose and free-line near structure or in current.
- Live Eels: The most versatile trophy striper bait. Works at night around jetties, inlets, bridges, and rocky structure. Hook through the lower lip.
- Cut Bunker: Excellent surf bait. A fresh-cut bunker chunk on a fish-finder rig at anchor in the surf is the classic fall run setup.
- Bucktail Jig (1–6 oz): Timeless striper lure. White or chartreuse with a pork rind, Gulp, or soft plastic trailer. Hop along the bottom in current.
- Bunker Spoon (trolling): Large hammered spoon trolled at 3–5 knots. Deadly in the Bay and around breaking fish.
- Surface Swimmers (Gibbs Polaris, Redfin, Darter): Classic New England surface presentations. Fish in breaking fish, current rips, or the surf at night.
- Large Paddle Tail Swimbaits (6–10″): Modern replacement for the live eel in many situations. White or alewife patterns are most effective.
- Soft Plastic Jerkbaits (Hogy Harness): Versatile soft plastic that works in multiple retrieves — slow swim, sink-and-twitch, or dead drift.
Seasonal Patterns: When to Fish for Striped Bass
Spring (March–May): The pre-spawn migration moves fish north from the Chesapeake through the bays. The Hudson River and Delaware River runs provide excellent catch-and-release fishing. Keeper regulations begin in most states May 1.
Summer (June–August): Fish are spread from the Chesapeake to Maine. Cape Cod, Narragansett Bay, and Montauk are summer hot spots. Night fishing outperforms daytime.
Fall (September–November): The fall migration is the crown jewel of striper fishing. Schools of large fish stack up from Montauk to Cape Hatteras as they move south. The Canal, Race Point, and Assateague Island surf produce legendary fishing.
Winter: Fish overwinter in the Chesapeake and off North Carolina. Some large fish are caught in Maryland’s lower Bay through January.
Pro Tips for Striped Bass
- Fish the rips and current edges: Stripers are ambush predators. They station themselves at current breaks, rip lines, and structure edges and wait for disoriented bait to come to them.
- Night fishing is the great equalizer: Large stripers are significantly more catchable after dark. Live eels and large surface swimmers produce trophy fish at night that won’t touch a lure in daylight.
- Read the birds: Diving terns and gannets over breaking fish are the best striper finder available. Get ahead of the breaking fish and cast into the edges of the melee.
- Use appropriate drag pressure: A large striper on heavy tackle requires significant drag. Don’t “baby” the fish — tire them quickly for the healthiest release.
- Handle big fish carefully: Never lip-gaff a large striper you intend to release. Wet your hands, support the body, and keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
Regulations
Striped bass regulations are complex and vary by state and season. Current Atlantic coast rules (as of 2025): one fish per person, 28–31″ slot on the Atlantic coast. Always verify current regulations with your state’s marine fisheries agency — striper regulations change frequently.
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Looking for current striped bass fishing conditions near you? Browse our weekly fishing reports — updated every Thursday. Browse all species how-to guides.