The Striped Bass is one of the most popular game fish found both in fresh and salt waters of the USA.

How big

It can grow to spectacular sizes - the largest recorded fish was an incredible 126lbs heavy, but the official record stands at 81lbs, 14oz. Average sizes move between 10 and 30lbs.

Distribution

This large Bass has a native freshwater range stretching from the St Lawrence to St John's Rivers on the Atlantic coast and from the Suwannee River to Lake Pontchartrain on the Gulf coast. Additionally, it can be found in rivers and coastal waters from Canada to Mississippi and has been introduced to waters throughout the US, including the Pacific coast.

Some fish will migrate to fresh waters to spawn in upstream rivers (some of which have been known to wind up landlocked due to dam constructions). Others will migrate to farther northern waters during the summer. Others, still, will remain in their estuarine environments.

How to catch

Many different ways of fishing will work for Striped Bass. Depending on where they're found, they can be cast to in the surf, fly or spin fished, but, if farther out, also trolled and jigged. If using natural bait, squid, mullet, crabs, eels, clams or worms will be effective. Artificial options are plugs, spoons, various flies and jigs and plastic lures. They are excellent game fish.

Good to eat?

This fish makes for great table fare.