Stripers are on the Move

As you are thinking about your day of fishing on your RI Striped Bass Charter here is some interesting news.  “Along the northern coast of New Jersey there was the influx of giant stripers. They were seeing them in the 40- to 50-pound range class bending rods in the later part of the week,” said North Jersey field editor JB Kasper. Adding that there are plenty of bluefish around to boot.

Recently we noticed striper activity in the surf. There were even reports of increased size. We are hearing of 20-inch-class striped bass on the North Shore. They are mixing with mackerel, which have always been known to attract even bigger fish. Stripers to 50-plus inches in Rhode Island.

In general, striped bass are moving all over the state and are active.  Local beaches, breakaways, and in the salt ponds we’re hearing of stripers and bluefish.  Narragansett bay is also seeing quite a bit of stripers and bluefish.  Their catching ’em with umbrella rigs, tube & worm, and mackerel using light tackle.  As the water temperatures rise, the stripers will continue to move north along the Atlantic coast and increase in size, making them available for some exciting Rhode Island saltwater fishing on your favorite fishing charter boats.

And hey, Aces Wild is booking.  Call today to book your fishing trip!

The Striped Bass Migration

striped bass migration

Remember the Striped Bass migration.  The Striper migration begins in the spring from their winter home in the waters off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts.  As the water warms they begin to head north.  Along the way, however, they make plenty of stops in the rivers along the coast and bays to spawn.

Once they have finished spawning, they continue north for cooler waters.  This is how they end up in New England waters, etc.

These are definitely some optimistic signs as far as Rhode Island Striped Bass fishing!

Limits as of April 1, 2020

Just a reminder, the result of a meeting of the ASMFC held in October is below. Which found the striped bass stock assessment resource to be overfished. Below is what has been approved to help get the Striped Bass population back on track:

  • Maine: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.
  • New Hampshire: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.
  • Massachusetts: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.
  • Rhode Island: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.
  • Connecticut: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.
  • New York:
    • Ocean & Hudson River below George Washington Bridge: 1 fish, 28 – 35 inches from 4/15 – 12/15.
    • Hudson River above the George Washington Bridge: 1 fish, 18 – 28 inches from 4/1-11/30.
  • New Jersey: 1 fish, 28 – <38 inches.
    • Striped Bass Bonus Program: 1 fish, 24 – <28 inches with a season of 5/15 – 12/31 for tag holders, only.
  • Pennsylvania:
    • DE Estuary: 1 fish 28 – <35 inches (1/1 – 3/31, 6/1 – 12/31); 2 fish 21 – <24 inches (4/1 – 5/31).
    • DE River (non-tidal): 1 fish 28 – <35 inches.
  • Delaware:
    • Ocean: 1 fish, 28 – 35 inches.
    • Delaware Bay, River, Tributaries: 1 fish, 20 – <25 inches (7/1 – 8/31).
    • No harvest permitted in spawning grounds from 4/1-5/31
  • Maryland:
    • Ocean: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.
    • Chesapeake Bay: 1 fish, 35-inch minimum (5/1 – 5/15); Shore/Private Boat 1 fish, 19-inch minimum (5/16 – 8/16, 9/1 – 12/10); For-Hire 2 fish, 19-inch minimum with only 1 fish >28 inches (5/16 – 8/16, 9/1 – 12/10).
  • Virginia:
    • Ocean: 1 fish, 28 – </=36 inches (1/1 – 3/31, 5/16 – 12/31).
    • Chesapeake Bay: 1 fish, 20 – </= 36 inches (5/16 – 6/15, 10/4 – 12/31).
  • North Carolina: 1 fish, 28 – <35 inches.