Striped Bass

Striped bass have several regional names. Known as striped bass, stripers, linesides, rockfish and other names, this fish is highly sought after as a recreational fish, as a commercial species and is even grown in aquaculture operations.

Striped bass are very hardy fish, and even take to life in freshwater where they are often stocked thoughout the USA.

Striped Bass are very adaptable and opportunistic which makes fishing for them a challenge. There are dozens of methods of catching striped bass and what works in one area might be totally ineffective just a short distance away. Fishing also varies seasonally as fish migrate along the mid Atlantic coast of the USA.

Light Tackle Jigging

Light tackle jigging is an easy and enjoyable technique that has gain popularity in recent years. Light tackle jigging lets the angler fish with small metal or other type jigs, fishing any part of the water column. Anglers locate fish or productive structure, then cast or simply lower lures to the desired depth.

Several rigs are popular among anglers. Perhaps the most common saltwater rigs are metal jigs such as Stingsilver, Hopkins, Crippled Herring and others. The fluttering action of these can be a deadly attractant to fish. Besides single metal jigs, some anglers use tandem rigs. This can be a metal or other jig coupled with a smaller lure on a dropper for instance.

Tackle is simple for this type of fishing. Anglers us a variety of outfits from 8-30 lb class depending on the situation. Some anglers use monofilament line but braided line can be a big asset in reaching the bottom.

Wire Line Trolling

This technique works in many locations where rockfish can be found. Trolling in the manner described is a bit difficult to get used to but the results are very consistent and sometimes the action is almost too fast! I troll very slowly, maybe 2 to 3 knots with special tackle. Two lines from the stern are rigs spooled with #30 monel or other types of wire. On these lines go a 3 way swivel. A 24 or 28 oz. sinker is added on 3-4' section of #30 mono. The third part of the swivel gets a 20-30' leader with either a single lure or a pair of bucktails.

Live Baits for Striped Bass

Live baits for striped bass include clams, crabs, eels, small fish, shrimp, and other baits. These vary with season and location. Fishermen choose live baits depending on availability and personal preference. Some anglers will find live baits in local tackle shops (in season) while others need to catch their own.

A cast net or seine can be a great asset for anglers that need small spot, menhaden, mullet or other baitfish. Another possibility is a fish trap, which is baited and left overnight. This is a good option for catching large numbers of spot, perch or other baits. Eels can also be caught using special baited traps.

For top quality striped bass or "rockfish" as table fare, it's important to take care of the fish prior to cooking. The fish should be chilled on ice and laid out flat until cleaned.

Once the fish is home, it can be rinsed thoroughly and filleted. Several cleaning methods exist and each angler learns their favorite style.

The fish can be scaled and the skin left on, filleted and then skinned or the skin can be cut around the perimeter of the fish and pulled off with pliers. The skin-on version is nice when baking or grilling smaller fish. Skinning the fish before filleting has some advantages, the most important being speed. Filleting the fish and then cutting the skin off removes the most dark meat and leaves the highest quality portion, although some fish is lost in the process.

Cooks have a variety of favorites for cooking rockfish. Small pieces of any size rockfish is delicious fried. Other choices include grilling, broiling, baking, smoking and more.

Dijon Rockfish
Ingredients:
1 lb striped bass fillets
2oz. white wine
2oz. mayonaise
2oz. dijon mustard

Instructions:
This one is real simple but it's also really good.

Mix equal parts of white wine, mayonaise and dijon mustard and wisk until smooth.

Pour over fish fillets in baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until done.

Lemon Butter Rockfish
Ingredients:
1 lb. striped bass fillets
1/2 fresh lemon
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. Old Bay crab seasoning or equivalent

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Drain fillets and lay in a casserole dish coated with olive oil.

Squeeze lemon juice over fillets, coat with butter and sprinkle with seasoning.

Bake for 10 minutes or until fish is white on the outside and still slightly pink in the center.

Broiled Striped Bass Parmesan

2 pounds striped bass fillets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
3 green onions, chopped
thinly sliced lemon and parsley for garnish, optional

Place fillets in a single layer on a greased baking dish or broiler
pan; brush with lemon juice.

Combine Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, salt, butter, and green onions in
a small bowl; set aside.

Broil fillets 4 to 6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily
with a fork. Remove from oven; spread with cheese
mixture.

Broil about 30 seconds longer, or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

Garnish with sliced lemon and parsley if desired.

Serves 6 to 8.

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Landings from the commercial striped bass fishery have been consistently lower than the recreational catch. Commercial landings increased from 63 mt in 1987 to 2,679 mt in 1997 and have remained steady due to quota restrictions. Landings in 2008 were 3,281 mt. Gill nets are the dominant commercial gear used to target striped bass. Other commercial fishing gears include hook and line, pound nets, seines, and trawls.

source: ASMFC press release