Striped bass

Silver bass with 7–8 bold, unbroken black stripes along the sides.

Most are around 3.9 ft (120 cm).

Up to about 6.6 ft (200 cm) long and 126 lb (57 kg). Source: FishBase

It is a greedy, opportunistic feeder. Adults eat many fishes such as herring, eels, flounders and silversides, plus squid, crabs and sea worms, but mostly crustaceans.

Adults live in coastal waters and are common in bays, but may run up rivers in spring to spawn. Some populations live landlocked in fresh water.

Found from Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX), North Carolina, Virginia & Chesapeake Bay, Delaware & New Jersey, New York, Long Island & Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Maine and Central & Northern California.

In Florida: the St. Johns River and Panhandle rivers (Apalachicola, Ochlockonee), plus spillways and cool springs.

5–30 ft.

2–15 ft near cover and the first drop-off.

Spring spawn and fall feeding periods are best; winter fishing is slower but steady in Florida.

Early morning and evening; night in summer heat.

In tidal rivers, moving water is best; in lakes watch wind and water level.

Overcast days and the period before a front are often best.

Live shad and shiners.

Bucktail jigs, swimbaits and topwater plugs.

Medium spinning or baitcasting rod, 6.5–7 ft.

2/0–4/0 worm hooks; #2–1/0 for live bait.

10–15 lb mono/fluoro or 30–50 lb braid in heavy cover.

Usually none; add a short fluorocarbon leader with braid.

Fish below dams and in cool-water areas in summer; cast to schools busting shad.

Stripers in Florida look for cool water — find springs and shaded creek mouths in summer.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Most of the time BigJoe keeps it simple: butter and SPG: salt, pepper and garlic. That's all rockfish needs. Blackened is good too. Skip the lemon: people use it to take away a fishy taste, and fresh fish doesn't have one. Cook to 145°F (63°C), until the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily.

Sharp teeth or gill rakers on some species — use pliers.

Florida has a daily bag and size limit for striped bass (and its hybrid, sunshine bass) — check FWC. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.