STRIPED BASS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you’re considering planning a fishing trip to Lake Texoma, there’s more than a solid chance your main target is striped bass. You’ve make a very good decision.
But, just how much do you really know about this particular fish?
MORE THAN ONE NAME
Striped bass is the common name for the Morone saxatilis. It is also commonly referred to as the striper bass, striper, linefish, and even rockfish.
While the scientific name isn’t the most descriptive to those who don’t speak Latin, it’s easy to see where the common names come from. This bass has very prominent horizontal stripes or lines running all the way from its gills to its tail. And, it’s very commonly found in close proximity to reefs or other rocky areas.
IT WAS THIS BIG!
Striper bass are known as a sport fish for a few good reasons.
First, they can get quite large. While they are typically around 20 to 25 inches in length and weigh in at around five pounds, they can grow much larger. There are records showing anglers reeling in specimens as big as 5 feet in length and weighing more than 80 pounds.
Getting one on your line that is that big is not very common, but it’s definitely possible.
Second, they put up a heck of an initial fight but won’t wear you down. When first hooked expect a strong run, but they will tire before you do. That makes the fight fun, but allows you plenty of opportunity to reel in more than one per outing.
WHERE TO FIND THEM
Striped bass are a type of fish known as anadromous. That means they move between fresh water and salt water.
They are naturally found in and around the warmer areas of Atlantic coastline, but they have been introduced and have since flourished in different reservoirs and lakes North America.
The lakes make for excellent striper fishing destinations.
Some of the more popular ones are:
Lake Texoma in Texas and Oklahoma
Beaver Lake in Arkansas
Lake Ouachita in Arkansas
Lake Hartwell in Georgia (and South Carolina)
Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania
There are other hot spots as well, but these five offer particularly excellent fishing opportunities.
ON THE TABLE
As fun as the actual fishing is, the real test is how your catch tastes. Does striped bass make the grade as a fish you’d want to eat?
The short answer is, absolutely.
It’s a white meat fish that’s not going to overwhelm you with a gamey flavor. When cooked properly, it’s flakey but doesn’t fall apart, making for a very even texture.
It’s most commonly broiled, grilled, or pan-seared. It can be deep fried as well without having to worry about it falling apart.
IN SUMMARY
The Morone saxatilis, or striped bass, is a fantastic choice for anglers that love a fun fish to hook, fight, and then eat. It’s a very sustainable species that will challenge but not frustrate you. And, they taste great.