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Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis)
Striper, Rockfish, Linesider... known by different names from the Carolinas to the Canadian Maritimes. Striped Bass are a migratory fish with the majority wintering in the mid-Atlantic and beginning their annual journey north in late March / early April. In Maine, we expect the first "schoolies" to arrive the second week in May, with increasing numbers and larger fish arriving with every tide cycle. For six months we are lucky to have stripers from 14 to 50+ inches inhabiting our waters until the fall run slows in mid-October.
Fish Handling Considerations
A fish out of water is a delicate creature and a Striper is no exception. Using single hooks, minimizing fight times (tip: a rod kept low and almost parallel to the water with a deep bend will help land a fish quickly), keeping fish in the water, and reviving a tired fish will increase the odds of a healthy release.