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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) are New York's state saltwater fish and one of the most iconic gamefish along the Atlantic coast. These anadromous predators are native to Atlantic waters from the St.

Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico, making New York perfectly positioned for their seasonal migrations.

Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis

Also known as stripers

Physical Characteristics:
  • Stripers are characterized by their streamlined, silvery bodies with distinctive dark horizontal stripes running from behind the gills to the tail base.
  • Adult fish typically range 20-40 inches and 3-20 pounds, though trophy specimens can exceed 50 inches and 50+ pounds - the world record is 81 pounds, 14 ounces from Connecticut waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • In New York waters, stripers inhabit diverse environments from the Hudson River estuary north to Albany, Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, and coastal Atlantic waters.

Key Locations

  • Hudson River from NYC to Albany, Long Island Sound, Montauk Point, Jamaica Bay, East Moriches/Moriches Bay, North Shore of Long Island, and South Shore beaches.

Specific Spots

  • Target structure like jetties, bridge pilings, rocky outcrops, and underwater ledges.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Topwater plugs (Gibbs Polaris Poppers, Super Strike Little Neck Poppers), swimming plugs (Bomber Long A, Cotton Cordell Red Fins, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters), soft plastics (Tsunami Swim Shads), bucktail jigs, and metal spoons. Live bait: bunker (menhaden), eels, herring, mackerel, clams, bloodworms, and spot fish.

What flies work for Striped Bass in New York?

Lefty's Deceiver (multiple colors), Clouser Deep Minnows (chartreuse/white, olive/white, blue/white), Surf Candies for bay anchovies/silversides, Seaducers for shallow water, Glass Minnows for small bait imitations, Ray's Fly for spring/fall fishing, Mickey Finn (yellow-red-yellow), Estaz Minnows, and sand eel...

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

Prime striped bass seasons in New York are spring migration (April-May), summer (June-August), and fall run (September-November), with fall often producing the largest fish.

How do you catch Striped Bass in New York?

Speed up retrieves in clear water, use 'do nothing' retrieves for surface feeding, and adjust colors based on water clarity - natural patterns in clear water, high-visibility colors in murky conditions. Use circle hooks when fishing with natural bait. Chunking with cut bunker.

What do Striped Bass eat?

These fish are opportunistic predators with an eclectic diet including over 65 fish species and 45+ invertebrates. Primary forage includes menhaden (bunker), Atlantic herring, bay anchovies, silversides, sand eels, eels, crabs, shrimp, squid, marine worms, and various baitfish.

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