If you want to experience the challenge of Bass on steroids, look to Stripers. The obsession with Striped Bass in freshwater and saltwater has captured the imaginations of untold numbers of anglers on both coasts of the United States. Their voracious feeding habits, hard runs, and ability to reach massive sizes make them one of the most exciting species you can chase anywhere. And the good news is, there are plenty of Striper fishing lures out there to help you land one!
You can catch Stripers using a variety of techniques but lures are about as much fun as you can have. Tossing a lure into a feeding frenzy and feeling the hard, pounding strike of a big Striper is a serious rush. Read on to learn more about one of the most treasured game fish in North America…
Striped Bass Habitat and Behavior
We love Striped Bass for their aggressive strikes but the species is also quite selective. They’re very picky and difficult to catch, something that can be especially frustrating while sight fishing.
Stripers are found in a variety of locations today but their native range is localized to the Atlantic coastline. Native populations exist as far south as the Gulf coast but the population’s strongholds are located in the northern sections of the western Atlantic.
With introduced populations across the continent, we now have more opportunities for Stripers. Read on to learn about the distinctions between this fish in fresh and saltwater…
Freshwater Striped Bass
Striped Bass enter freshwater environments voluntarily on their migratory spawning runs. They move through estuaries and into creeks and rivers that connect to their saltwater range in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. If you happen to cross paths with a spring spawning run, the fishing can be spectacular in the channels and waters along spawning routes.
While spawning runs are seasonal, you can catch these fish all year in freshwater lakes and reservoirs with robust populations. Freshwater Stripers experience exceptional success rates in lakes with plenty of bait fish and forage. From Lake Mead in Nevada to Lake Texoma in Texas, you can target some serious fish in freshwater.
Freshwater Stripers are similar to their saltwater counterparts as they feed aggressively on schools of bait fish. Shad, herring, and other fish are favorite targets. They’ll also revert to crayfish, freshwater clams, and mussels or any other available food sources.
Look to structure and bays where bait fish gather, along with flats where Stripers can cruise and feed. When water temperatures are in the 60s, fishing is at its best. This is because they tend to drop deeper in colder conditions
Saltwater Stripers
In the ocean, Stripers are a boom-and-bust species. At times, they’re surprisingly wary and difficult to catch. Some of this behavior is attributed to living in predator-rich environments – the fish deal with Sharks and other predators on a regular basis, making them wise to anything that may hunt them down.
When big schools of bait fish are abundant, the game changes to “boom” and the fishing is phenomenal. Bait fish bring Stripers to the surface where they feed without hesitation. Find a big boil, cast your lures, and hold on tight when fishing for Stripers in these scenarios.
Anglers can find fish from boats and along piers, jetties, and in the surf. In fact, surf and shore anglers catch some exceptional fish throughout the year! Striped Bass eat just about anything that swims. Look to herring, menhaden, crabs, and other local fish to find a suitable Striper bait or lure imitation.
The best time of year for East Coast Stripers runs from May through October. You can catch fish any time of day but it’s well-known that dawn and dusk are the most productive for the species.
Top Fishing Lures for Stripers
When the bite is hot, it feels like Stripers will slam any lure you throw out there. When it’s tough, anglers speculate and have a million different theories about which lure is best. The following are some of the most common and productive options available. However, it always pays to make your own observations and experiment on the water.
Spoons
While most spoon colors and styles perform, heavy, deep spoons top the list for Striper fishing lures. They get down quickly, allowing anglers to cover more of the water column. Flutter spoons are very popular with experienced Striper fanatics, as are knife jigs (spoon/jig hybrid). If the spoon allows for multiple fishing styles, it offers versatility and the ability to adapt as conditions change.
Umbrella Rigs
Why find a school of bait fish when you can create one?! Umbrella rigs are deadly at most depths and they really shine when Stripers are on the hunt for schools of bait fish. The rigs allow anglers to troll multiple lures that are clipped onto the wire rig. I like jigs for these but you can use a variety of lure styles on the umbrella rig.
Surface Poppers
Why bother going deep when the Stripers are boiling and busting bait on the surface? I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a feeding frenzy than with topwater poppers. Pencil poppers or bigger-diameter plugs are great for surface action. Look for white and red or white and chartreuse color combos. Lures with reflective silver and gold are fantastic, too.
Bucktail Jigs
When the fishing calls for finesse and a static or drift approach, there are few better options than a big bucktail jig. You can drop it off a pier, cast into the surf, or get right over the fish from a boat. In situations where anglers sight fish to cruising Stripers, a smaller bucktail jig is deadly. This is one lure that every angler should have at the ready. It’s the last choice when the fish are feeding heavily and the first when they are not.
Crankbaits & Jerkbaits
Finally, you can’t go wrong with a big crankbait or jerkbait. Don’t hold back on size and be sure to carry a variety of depth-rated lures in this category. When the water is colder and fishing is slower, getting deep is helpful. As the action heats up, move to slower diving models to meet the fish where they are feeding.
You can fish crankbaits and jerkbaits that are designed for other Bass species with success. Simply replace the terminal tackle to make them saltwater-ready. A big Striper will destroy the hooks that are made for Largemouth Bass! I like to add new rings and upgrade the hooks with a stainless option.
Where to Go Striper Fishing
Now that you have a box of great fishing lures, get ready to join the obsession for Stripers. With so many lakes and great fisheries on the east and west coasts, you have no shortage of options.
- California Delta. The West Coast once had insane Striper numbers. Populations fluctuate but this region still produces some of the largest Striped Bass you’ll ever encounter. If you can time the spring or fall migration in this area, the fishing is world-class.
- New Jersey. You can pick any state on the northern Atlantic but there’s something about the fishing culture in New Jersey… Fishing lures and worms during the spring run is a tradition for anglers here. Just remember that these fish are known as “Rockfish” in these parts!
- Massachusetts. Another great place to fish the spring run, Cape Cod and the general Massachusetts coastline is fantastic. Shore fishing is amazing for both surfcasters and fly anglers! Everyone should hit the Cape for the Striper run at some point.
- Southern States. Don’t overlook the South for great freshwater striper fishing. Texas is home to a self-recurring population in freshwater. The fish actually leave Lake Texoma to spawn in feeder rivers – and do so successfully.
- Nevada. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are two of the best freshwater Striper fisheries in the country. They’re both large bodies of water, offering plenty of elbow room and opportunities to explore. It’s also quite the experience fishing in the middle of a desert for a saltwater species!
Striper Fishing Lures FAQs
Will you land a big Striper soon?
My favorite thing about Stripers is the accessibility. Many other saltwater game fish require advanced equipment and offshore watercraft for success. But when it comes to Stripers, some of the largest specimens are caught right from the shoreline! They’re a true people’s fish and offer some of the best action you’ll find anywhere in the world. Put those fishing lures to the test and start landing your fill of Stripers!
What are your go-to lures for Striped Bass? Do you fish in freshwater or saltwater? We’d love to hear about your favorite brands and models in the comments below!
