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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Striped Bass are silvery-white anadromous fish distinguished by seven to eight dark horizontal stripes running the length of their body. In Delaware waters, they spend most of their life at sea but enter freshwater during spring to spawn.

Also known as stripers, cows (for large females over 30 pounds)

Physical Characteristics:
  • Striped Bass are silvery-white anadromous fish distinguished by seven to eight dark horizontal stripes running the length of their body.
  • Most stripers over 30 pounds are female, often called 'cows.' Delaware anglers typically catch stripers under 20 inches (2-3 pounds) in tidal tributaries, while the Delaware Bay and Atlantic coast produce fish between 28-45 inches (10-40 pounds).

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They're common in tidal brackish waters and some tidal freshwaters during spring, but rare to nonexistent in ponds.
  • Delaware's striped bass population ranges throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and its tributaries, Nanticoke River and its tributaries, and Inland Bays.

Key Locations

  • Prime fishing locations include the Delaware Bay and its tributaries, the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, Broadkill River, Outer Wall, Augustine Beach, Indian River Marina, 3R's Beach, Reedy Point, and the Cape Henlopen State Park fishing pier.

Specific Spots

  • Focus efforts around structure like rocky areas, drop-offs, current eddies, and where fresh water meets salt.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Striped Bass in Delaware?

Effective lures include fish-imitating artificials, Rebel WindCheaters cast close to structure, bucktails with Gulp! trailers, and surface lures during low-light periods. Live baits such as spot, eels, cut mullet, bunker, clams, squid, mackerel, menhaden, and seaworms are productive.

What flies work for Striped Bass in Delaware?

Top fly patterns include classic saltwater flies like Lefty's Deceivers, Clouser Deep Minnows, Surf Candies, Estaz Minnows, Mickey Finns, Seaducers, Glass Minnows, and Ray's Flies.

When is the best time to fish for Striped Bass in Delaware?

Delaware's striped bass season is open year-round in state waters (coast to 3 miles offshore), except during the April 1-May 31 spawning season when only catch-and-release is permitted.

How do you catch Striped Bass in Delaware?

Trolling is the most popular and effective method. Canal and river fishing works well with plugs worked along the banks. The pier at Cape Henlopen produces large stripers on live spot fished early morning.

What do Striped Bass eat?

These opportunistic predators feed on an exceptionally diverse diet including over 65 species of fish and more than 45 invertebrate species.

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