The Striped Bass
* See Features and Size for detailed image
Stripped Bass (Morone saxatilus) are an excellent sport-fish, reaching large sizes and are known for their fighting ability and is a member of the sea bass family. They are also known as striper, rock, rockfish, striped sea bass, striper bass, linesider, squid hound and green head.
Since the 1600s, Striped Bass fishing was very popular and it was considered the most popular fish in North America and to many it still is the most important fish. At first, it was known for its commercial significance and culinary quality, but nowadays, it is known for its recreation popularity with anglers. The commercial fishing industry has morphed into a recreational bass fishing industry, which has a large contribution to the economy when combined with other freshwater bass.
In Texas alone, Striped Bass fishing in the Lake Texoma area alone brings in $20 million a year to the Texas economy. This figure includes lodges, guides, tackle and related tourism.
Above: Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States with almost 90,000 acres of surface area.
Their abundance has varied over the years. In California, it has been classified as strictly recreational and banned from commercial use.
Following the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson River, they have rebounded from near endangered status.
Above: Chesapeake Bay
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This is a large fish with a large mouth, yet it is streamlined well. It has a long body and head with a somewhat laterally compressed body and a protruding lower jaw. Of the two noticeably separate dorsal fins, the first one has seven to 12 stiff spines, usually nine make up this fin. The second fin has one sharp spin with eight to 14 where there are normally 12.
Striped Bass fishing is a lot of fun and an exciting experience, but it is also provides for excellent table fare. If you are interested in tasting Striped Bass, look at our bass recipes section. They can be prepared in many ways with the smaller fish being fried and larger ones are baked.
Above: Striped Bass mouth.
The following are a list of some Striped Bass:
Above: Striped bass make excellent table fare
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