Striped bass in the Northeast is probably one of the most sought after gamefish available. They grow to immense sizes of 60 plus pounds, and can be caught by anglers using bait – live or dead, or artificial lures – cast, trolled or jigged. Bass are predators and in my opinion similar to sharks – without the teeth of course – in that they will basically eat anything in the water! Striped bass will feed on young of the year weakfish, snapper blues, kingfish, spot and more, but also will not shy away from crabs, lobster and squid. A bass' only goal is to get fat, lay eggs and live a really long time doing this. A striped bass is an anadromous fish, meaning they live in the ocean but migrate to freshwater to spawn. Anglers fishing these spawning areas can score big time in the early spring.

I remember many years ago taking a trip on the Hudson River to Kingston, NY, roughly 50 miles north of the nearest saltwater. It was early spring and we were targeting the large stripers that had begun to move about and readying to spawn. Our bait of choice was live, 12-inch bloodworms. The day was unreal with several fish over 40 pounds boated and quickly released, all while fishing in freshwater where largemouths were also available!

The gear for striped bass can be as wide as the angler wants, but let's see if we can't isolate what you might need for several good outings, and what KastKing can add to the arsenal.

Rod and Reel for Striper Fishing

Striped bass fishing requires gear that can handle a variety of situations, from small school-size fish (14–20 inches) to massive bass over 50 pounds. Choosing the right rod and reel depends on the fishing location and the size of the bass you are targeting.

Early-Season / Backwater Areas

In early spring, for example on the South Shore of Long Island, larger bass are less likely to be present. For these areas, using smaller offerings in backwaters works best.

Recommended setup: Kong 7-foot Medium Rod (10–20 lb) paired with a Kapstan Elite size 3000 spinning reel.

Reason: Lightweight and easy to cast, ideal for finesse presentations with smaller baits.The 7-foot Kong Spinning Rod and Kapstan Elite Saltwater Reel is all you need for tossing smaller lures or bucktails to striped bass.

Mid-Season / Spawning Areas

As the season progresses or you move to different venues, heavier gear is needed. On trips like early spring up the Hudson River targeting spawners, even small baits require stronger rods and reels.

Recommended setup: 7'6" Heavy Kong Rod paired with a Rover Round Baitcasting Reel size 60, spooled with 40-pound braided line.

Reason: Handles larger fish and provides the strength needed for bigger hooksets while maintaining good casting control.

Peak Season / Large Bunker Feeding

When bunker arrive in the Northeast and large bass are actively feeding, you need the beefiest rods and reels.

Recommended setup: 8-foot Kong Rod (30–60 lb) paired with a Rover Round Baitcasting Reel size 70.

Reason: Capable of handling any size live bunker or heavy Diamond Jigs (4 oz or more).Bottom fishing with live bait, chunk bait or heavy jigs, have at the ready a Rover Round 60 and 70 and an assortment of leader material. 

Striped Bass Lures / Sand Eel Fishing

In early spring, striped bass feed near the bottom. Small jigs and subtle jigging mimic sand eels, making this technique highly effective.

Recommended setup: Cliff Crochet 7'8" Rod with Kapstan Elite 300 Baitcasting Reel and Power Handle.

Reason: Excellent for jigging while maintaining strength for hooksets.

Bottom Line: Always match your saltwater rod and reel to the size of the bass and the bait or lure you are using. Properly chosen gear ensures better casting, stronger hooksets, and a higher chance of landing your fish.The Cliff Crochet 7'8" rod and Kapstan 300 with power handle make a great jigging combo.

How to Catch Striped Bass

Striped bass are aggressive feeders and will viciously attack their prey. I have seen stripers in the surf so aggressive that they almost beach themselves chasing bunker! To keep things simple for striped bass, my rule of thumb is the K.I.S.S. method, which translates to "Keep It Simple Stupid." This has worked for eons, so why change an effective method.

If you plan on using lures, the easiest set up is braided line of your choice in 20 to 30-pound test for beach, pier, and jetty fishing. Tie some 40-pound pink Ande Monofilament line as a leader with a barrel swivel on one end and duo lock snap on the other – that's all you need. For boat fishing, where the risk of abrasion is less, I like 20-pound braid and no more than 30-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Moving to rigs, again, keep things simple. There is no need for elaborate amounts of hardware or three-way rigs. The only time you will get elaborate is if you plan on trolling, which is an entirely different set of rules, so we will hold that for a future article.

For live lining any bait that swims for stripers – spot, porgies, eels, bunker, and kingfish – I use a simple 1-ounce egg sinker and size 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook. There is a very important key for one particular bait – live spot. For all the other live swimming baits, the egg sinker should be above the leader, with the leader 30 to 40 inches. For live spot, use a 6-foot leader – you'll thank me for this tip later. If you are using any form of non-swimming, or cut bait, a fish-finder rig or egg sinker and leader will work fine. The weight needed for chunking will be determined by the tide flow and water depth.

Can You Eat Striped Bass? Limits and Safety Tips

Striped bass is a highly regulated saltwater fish in most states. In fact, in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, the limit as I penned this article was one fish between 28 and 31 inches, with all others having to be returned to the water immediately.

With that being said, you must have a good quality landing net. The KastKing Brutus Foldable Extendable Fishing Net with Boat Hook is a great option. The larger size will easily handle fish to 35 pounds, and quite frankly, anything larger than that you should try and unhook in the water, revive, then release right there. The net has an extendable handle to 75 inches, plus a nice added feature of a boat hook for when you head back to the dock!Big bass are a ton of fun, but with current regulations, make sure you have a good net and after landing, take your photos and get her back in the water. 

Striper Fish FAQ

When Is the Best Time for Striped Bass Fishing?

Striped bass fishing will last until deep into the winter, with the last of the fish on the smaller side. For the larger fish, the "Fall Run" is the timeframe from mid-September through the end of November in the Northeast region. This is prime time for larger fish that are following bait leaving the bays and heading south. The bass will feed heavily for the spawn ahead. Hit the water now, or gear up and pick a day during the "Fall Run."

What Do Striped Bass Eat?

Striped bass feed on live or dead bait such as bunker, spot, porgies, eels, and crabs. Cut bait or live lining is commonly used, and the type of rig or weight depends on water depth and current.

What Pound Line for Striped Bass?

For surf, pier, or jetty fishing, 20–30 lb braided line paired with a 40 lb fluorocarbon leader is ideal. For live bait fishing from a boat, fluorocarbon or monofilament line works well.

Guided Striper Fishing Adventure

If you want to kick off your striped bass season in California, feel free to reach out to Capt. Aussie Bob! Fishing is excellent in the Napa River, its sloughs, and surrounding wetlands throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In these areas, Capt. Aussie Bob can provide an exceptional fishing experience, whether you’re after your first catch of the season or looking to target trophy-sized bass. Feel free to reach out and book your trip today!