Striped Bass Fishing Guide in Brigantine Waters

The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), commonly known as Atlantic Striped Bass, Stripers, or Linesider, belongs to the order Perciformes and family Moronidae. This iconic gamefish features seven to eight distinctive horizontal stripes running along its silvery sides, with coloration ranging from light green and olive to brown and black on the back, complemented by a shimmering white belly. In Atlantic City waters this May, these powerful fish provide exceptional angling opportunities for charter guests.

Striped Bass Overview

Striped bass represent one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast, prized for their incredible fighting ability and impressive size potential. These anadromous fish spend most of their adult lives in saltwater but return to freshwater rivers to spawn, creating seasonal migration patterns that bring them through Atlantic City's productive fishing grounds.

Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution

These adaptable fish thrive in diverse environments including rivers, lakes, onshore waters, and nearshore coastal areas. Around Atlantic City, striped bass utilize both bay systems and open ocean waters, moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper channels based on tidal movements, water temperature, and prey availability.

Striped Bass Size and Weight

Atlantic striped bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights spanning 10 to 81 pounds. Trophy specimens can exceed these averages, with some fish reaching lengths over 5 feet and weights approaching 70 pounds, making every hookup an exciting possibility.

Striped Bass Diet and Behavior

Striped bass are opportunistic predators feeding on a variety of baitfish including menhaden, herring, anchovies, and eels. They also consume crabs, worms, and squid. These fish often feed in schools, particularly during their spring and fall migrations, creating excellent charter fishing opportunities when located.

Striped Bass Spawning Season

Spawning occurs in freshwater rivers during spring months when water temperatures reach 55-65°F. During this period, large schools of fish move through coastal waters, including the Atlantic City area, providing prime fishing opportunities as they stage before entering spawning rivers.

Striped Bass Fishing Techniques

Effective methods include trolling with bunker spoons or umbrella rigs, jigging with bucktails or soft plastics, and live bait fishing with eels or bunker. In May around Atlantic City, anglers find success using heavy tackle for larger fish and light tackle for smaller schoolies, often working structure like jetties, bridges, and channel edges where stripers ambush prey.

Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?

Striped bass offer excellent table fare with firm, white, flaky meat and mild flavor. The fish provides high-quality protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Smaller fish typically offer better eating quality, while larger breeding females are often released to maintain healthy populations.

Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best bait for striped bass?

A: Live eels, bunker (menhaden), and clams are top choices, while artificial lures like bucktails, soft plastics, and spoons also produce excellent results.

Q: Where can I find striped bass near Atlantic City?

A: Productive areas include Absecon Inlet, the back bays, nearshore wrecks, and along the beach front where baitfish concentrate.

Q: Is striped bass good to eat?

A: Yes, striped bass provides excellent eating with firm, white meat and mild flavor, though many anglers practice catch and release for larger breeding fish.

Q: When is the best time to catch striped bass?

A: Spring and fall migrations offer peak action, with May being particularly productive as fish move through Atlantic City waters heading to spawning areas.