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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Striped Bass in Florida are quick, powerful fish that are cool-water fish that cannot tolerate water temperatures above 75°F for extended periods.

During Florida's hot summers, they become less active and must find cool water refuges in springs or canopied streams to survive. This temperature sensitivity makes them particularly dependent on thermal refuges created by the numerous springs found in the St.

Johns River Basin and other Florida waterways.

Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Silvery sides, white bellies, and seven to eight distinctive black stripes along their sides.
  • Stripes are absent on young fish under six inches.
  • The state record Gulf striped bass weighed 42.25 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Florida has both Atlantic and Gulf Coast strains, with Gulf striped bass being a separate population found in the state's panhandle rivers.
  • Found primarily in the St.
  • Johns River and its tributaries, the Apalachicola River system, and to a lesser extent in Lake Talquin, and the Ochlockonee, Blackwater, Nassau, and St.
  • Marys rivers.

Key Locations

  • St.
  • Johns River and its tributaries, the Apalachicola River system, Lake Talquin, Ochlockonee River, Blackwater River, Nassau River, St.
  • Marys River, Croaker Hole and jetties at the south end of Lake George, first few miles of the Wekiva River, below Jim Woodruff Dam on Apalachicola River, lower Ochlockonee River below Jackson Bluff Dam, Clear Lake in Orlando, Edward Medard Reservoir, Tenoroc (Derby and Picnic Lakes), Nine Mile Point at Lake George, the Jetties (Cowpens) on the southern end of Lake George, Little Lake George.

Specific Spots

  • Target spring runs, deep river bends, areas below dams, around mechanical feeders that dispense food pellets, deep water areas around dams in lakes.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live shad are extremely effective, particularly below Jim Woodruff Dam on the Apalachicola River. Other productive baits include live menhaden, golden shiners, croakers, and eels. For urban lakes like Clear Lake in Orlando, use shrimp, squid, or even cut-up hot dogs.

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

Fall through spring when fish are actively feeding and water temperatures are cooler. Spring (February through April) is considered prime time. The lower Ochlockonee River below Jackson Bluff Dam offers excellent wintertime fishing from late fall through spring.

How do you catch Striped Bass in Florida?

Troll diving plugs or fish live bait like shad, shrimp, or eels in the St. Johns River leading into Lake George. Live bait fishing in the Croaker Hole in Little Lake George is productive in warmer weather.

What do Striped Bass eat?

These opportunistic predators feed on a diverse diet including shad, menhaden, golden shiners, croakers, eels, crayfish, grass shrimp, and even cut-up hot dogs in urban lakes. They're known to congregate around mechanical feeders that dispense food pellets.

Where do Striped Bass live in Florida?

Florida has both Atlantic and Gulf Coast strains, with Gulf striped bass being a separate population found in the state's panhandle rivers. Found primarily in the St. Johns River and its tributaries, the Apalachicola River system, and to a lesser extent in Lake Talquin, and the Ochlockonee, Blackwater, Nassau, and St.

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