The Striped Bass, also known as Rockfish or simply striper, is an extremely popular fish in its native habitat of the East Coast of the USA, as well as on the West Coast and in land locked lakes in many other states and countries as diverse as Iran, Ecuador, and Turkey. It is anadromous by nature, living in salt water but migrating to freshwater to breed, primarily up rivers. When landlocked in freshwater, either naturally or by man, stripers also thrive. The Striped Bass is officially a game fish in the United States and is highly sought after and prized, both for its fighting ability and eating ability, but this doesn’t fully describe why it is so popular. Here are a few of the major reasons.

It exists and can be fished for in a very diverse set of areas, greatly broadening its appeal. There are fishermen who only fish for them in the surf, some who prefer flats, rivers, or streams, scores of rock fisherman, and many who only pursue them in their favorite freshwater lake or impoundment, like Lake Mead in Nevada, Lake Texoma and many others in Texas, and far too many other major waters to list. They can and often are caught from shore with some areas favoring shore fishing, and are also fished for extensively from boats. They can also be caught miles offshore in rips and reefs like the Sow and Pigs Reef in Massachusetts.

Equipment can be simple or complex. A simple rod and reel or even a drop line may do fine from shore or from a boat, but some investment in complex and technically sophisticated gear for fly fishing, deep trolling, and other techniques. Some striped bass fishermen actually seem to obsess more on the equipment than the fish itself!

The array of sizes is also a lure. The thought that a true trophy can be caught at any time, and specimens over 80 pounds have been documented with 50 pounders caught yearly and 40 pounders not a rare occurrence, adds considerable appeal. Most however seem to average between 16 and 22 inches and are quite common although not always easy to find and catch.

They also have a broad appetite, eating just about anything they can find, including clams, worms, crabs, other fish, lobsters, eels and more. However at times they can be extremely finicky and focus in on only one food source.

Striped bass, for all the reasons listed, are among the most popular fish out there.

By: Ted Demopoulos

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