Fishing for striped Bass is among the most popular kinds of fishing in the country. Stripers thrive in various habitats, from river mouths to open water. They are always on the move, and they put up a fight, which makes the catch even more rewarding.
Striped Bass are line shy in certain conditions, so be prepared. Water clarity, weather, and the age of the fish are all factors that are out of your control. Pick the right gear depending on those factors to avoid scaring away your catch.
Before heading out for a day of fishing, there are several things to consider in order to be prepared. All gear is essential, but the line is the direct link between you and the fish. Let’s look at the types of fishing lines and why it’s vital when fishing for Striped Bass.
Is Striped Bass Always Line Shy?
Younger Bass don’t have experience getting caught, so they won’t be as scared by line as the older fish. But as a general rule, anything that looks out of the ordinary can scare them away, including the fishing line
.
If the water is muddy or sediment has been stirred up by recent rainfall, the fishing line won’t be as visible to the fish.
A striper’s sense of smell is better than its ability to see. They have two pairs of nostrils on each side of their head, and this allows them to smell while they swim. It is wise for fishermen to add scent to lures because the fish relies more on scent than sight.
What Kind of Line Do I Use for Stripers?
There are three main bass fishing lines on the market,
- Fluorocarbon
- Monofilament
- Braided
Each type is seen differently underwater, and that affects a bass’s ability to detect your line.
The fluorocarbon line is popular because of its low visibility. The way the light bends or refracts as it passes through the line is similar to how light passes through water. This makes the line almost invisible.
The nylon monofilament line is the most widely used fishing line because it’s easy to use and is the cheapest to buy. While this is convenient for most anglers, this is not a suitable line because, in clear water, the thick diameter will be more easily seen.
Mono doesn’t handle light quite as well. Light bounces off of it, and this makes it noticeable to the fish. While the reflecting light could make the fish curious and attract them, it could also scare them away.
When in deeper water, try a braided line with a Fluorocarbon leader. This way, you will have the strength and stealth of lower visibility.
Braid is known for strength, durability, and casting distance. This is a good thing out on the open water, deep sea, or surf fishing. Braided lines don’t have a stretching capacity like mono or fluoro.
When fishing at greater depths, you will have direct contact with the bait. Braided lines are 3 – 4 times stronger than mono lines of the same diameter.
Remember, Bass will see the braided line if you are fishing in clear water, so a fluoro lead will be helpful to cut down on visibility.
What Pound Test Should I Use for Striped Bass?
When fishing for striped Bass, your gear selection depends on where and how you will be fishing. Fishing on the bay and inshore waters, a 12- to the 20-pound line will be fine and will be easier to cast and drift than a higher test line.
Use a 20-pound leader line for very shallow situations with clear water because remaining unseen is more important in these conditions.
You could switch up to a 30 40- pound test when casting around obstacles that you could get snagged on.
In open water, you may want a heavier line and rod setup. A medium or heavy rod that can handle up to a 30-pound line and up to 3-ounce lures is best for the open water.
Trolling for striped bass calls for even heavier gear. This is where you’ll want to use a braided line of 30-pound test or more, depending on the size of the fish you’re after. Both 40 and 60-pound tests can be used when trolling.
What Is Color Line Best for Striper Fishing?
Studies have found that Bass can see medium to light reds best, then red-orange and yellow-green. Their vision for blues and purples is quite weak. When fishing in deeper or less clear water, colors are harder to see.
Fishing in clear water for any type of fish will benefit from adding a fluorocarbon leader. This will reduce visibility so you can catch more. When you need low visibility and a degree of stretch, a fluorocarbon line of any color will work.
The line diameter is more important than color because Bass will see it if it’s thick enough in any color.
The color of the line you choose should be invisible to the fish, so a clear line is the best choice.
If that is not available, your next best thing is to make it camouflage or blend in with the surroundings. In most cases, green tones will have the lowest visibility.
When night fishing, the visibility is much lower, but you don’t want a light color line as it will show up. A dark brown or black line would blend in at night.
Conclusion
Any fish that sees something ordinary can be spooked and shy away. Since we are trying to convince the fish to take our bait, we need it to look as natural as possible. This means using a fishing line that cannot be seen or at least one that blends into the surroundings.
At the same time, the line needs to be strong enough to handle a large Striped Bass.
A successful fishing setup may sound like science, but the most crucial part is having fun. Remember, you can’t catch any fish without your line in the water, so get out there and start fishing.
