By Gary Hendry
Striped bass are among the most difficult fish species to catch due to their unpredictable nature. They are constantly on the move between saltwater and freshwater and behave unpredictably. However, with the right equipment and tips on how to fish for striped bass, you can make quite a good catch. In this guide, I’m going to show you the simplest ways to fish for striped bass.
Striped Bass Fishing Tips Every Angler Needs to Know
- Striped bass tend to hang out near structures.
- Another spot where you are likely to find striped bass is around ripped currents where bait collects.
- Striped bass living in saltwater are normally sensitive to tides and currents.
- Baitfishes are striped bass’s main forage.
- Rivers are ideal fishing spots for striped bass during spring.
- They tend to lie low during the day and come out during sunset when the water is quiet.
How to Catch Striped Bass
Use a fish-finder
A fish-finder will help you locate striped bass with better precision. Due to the unpredictable nature of striped bass, you may experience a difficult time locating a productive area. A fish-finder will help you determine to exact depth to present your bait for the best chances of making a catch.
Use the Ideal Bait
As with catching any type of fish, using the right bait will increase your chances of making a catch. Live bait options for catching striped bass include mackerel, squid, herring, nightcrawlers, clams, and mullet. You can also use bait that resembles the forage base in the waters where you’ll be fishing.
Choose the Right Fishing Tackle
You can catch striped bass with almost any type of fishing road and reel. But if you want to make it easy for you, it is advisable to use a fishing rod and reel sturdy enough to pull in a 20-25 pounds striped bass. Choose a 10-20 lb. test monofilament fishing line and a sharp hook.
Locate the fish
Striped bass prefer water temperatures ranging from 7-8°C. Therefore, striped bass will migrate whenever the water temperatures exceed or fall below this range. On sunny days, striped bass are more likely to be found at depths of 40 ft. whereas on cooler days, they will hang out just a few feet below the water’s surface. Consider fishing for striped bass at dusk and dawn, as these are the times when they come out to feed.
Cast Out your Fishing Tackle
Once you have assembled your fishing gear and hooked your bait, cast it out and give it a few seconds to reach the bottom. As soon as you feel pressure changes at the end of your line, start reeling it in slowly. Give it time because striped bass may take time to bite and it may be helpful to move your bait a bit to increase chances of getting a bite. You can let the fish run for a few seconds before setting the hook or set it as soon as the line goes taut.
I hope this guide helps you to make a good catch in your next striped bass fishing expedition.