Striped Bass Facts

We probably don’t have to tell you that striped bass are the most popular saltwater game fish on the East Coast. But do you know everything there is to know about the beautiful and unique Atlantic striper? We’d wager the answer is no. For example, did you know that there is a large variation in length as compared to weight and age in striped bass populations? The only truly reliable way to tell a striped bass’ age is to count the rings on its scales! How about the fact that the humble striped bass is the state fish of not only Maryland, but also Rhode Island and South Carolina? Or the official saltwater fish of New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire? If you’re intrigued and we’ve got you on our hook, read on for some fascinating fish factoids about striped bass.

• Striped bass are also known as stripers, linesiders, rock, pimpfish, or rockfish.
• They are one of those unique fish species that can tolerate both salt and fresh water. They typically live in the ocean, but spawn in fresh water rivers – and stripers that become landlocked because of dams and other obstructions, can thrive in deep bodies of fresh water.
• Stripers like to ambush prey stirred up by turbulent water. And it’s a good thing, too, because striped bass may be powerful and agile swimmers, but they don’t swim extremely fast. Did we mention they’ll eat almost anything?
• These fish are creatures of time and temperature. Active in the fall and early spring, and at about an hour before sunrise, then again at dusk, striped bass definitely have their patterns. They prefer water in the 55° F to 68° F range, and are seldom caught when the water temperature dips below 44° F.
• Striped bass have no eyelids, which may explain their preference for dawn and dusk feeding. When the sun comes up, the bass go down deeper into the sea to avoid the glare.
• Mature large female striped bass are called cows. Juvenile stripers are called schoolies or shorts.
• The World Record weight for a striped bass is 81 pounds and 14 ounces. That particular fish was caught on the Long Island Sound, near the Outer Southwest Reef, off the coast of Westbrook, Connecticut. The lucky angler was one Gregory Myerson.
• Striped bass can live as long as 30 years, and it’s not unusual for an individual striper to reach its elder years.