Striped Bass Fishing
An exciting and challenging way to enjoy a day outdoors is to dabble in striped bass fishing. In this article we will provide you with a few tips on techniques, bait and equipment.
Small or large mouth basses usually jump out of the water and try to spit out the hook when caught. Striped bass on the other hand wont give you trouble in keeping them under the water, but all the way to the shore or boat, they will fight you with all their strength till they are netted. It is fun and challenging to catch them because of their giant size and fighting mentality.
It is very difficult to predict the patterns of Striped bass who prefer to swim around in schools. The spot where you met with great success a day before, will yield you a turkey the very next day for striped basses tend to cover huge distances of water every day while following their food. But if you are lucky and chance upon a whole school, your day will be made as you will be able to catch several fishes at one go.
Likes, Dislikes and Habitat of Stiped Bass
Get familiar with their preferences and dislikes if you are serious about catching striped bass. Crystal clear waters of fast moving rivers, sparkling lakes, estuaries, bays, creeks, rather than muddy water ,is preferred by striped bass , but they get more easily spooked than the large mouth variety. You can perhaps find them easily but you will also scare them easily and drive them away into deeper waters if you don’t know their habits. Attentively watch the water all around you, as far as your eyes can travel if you are hunting for a school.
Baits
Dead fish as well as live fish like shad, cut bait (shad), shrimp, sardines, anchovies, plugs, spoons, crank baits and streamer flies are the different varieties of baits that you can try. Just make sure the bait is the freshest available.
Temperature, Season and Depth
Keep in mind the temperature of the water. You have to troll deeper waters if you are fishing in summer. With the help of a depth finder, measure the depth where your lures are swimming. Just above this level you should troll for your desired catch.
In winter, striped bass will swim close to the surface of the water and you can actually watch them doing it, in search of bait fish and warmer waters. The temperature in deeper waters during winter is too low for striped bass. During fall, as the water progressively cools, you have to pull up your bait into shallower waters. Even in spring they will be staying in warmer waters.
Tackle
Strong steady good lines and a rig consisting of a big sinker attached to a three inch leader slider and 9/0 hook are the indispensable items to catch giant striped bass.