Fishing Facts: Striped Bass Habitat

The striped bass is a fun and exciting species that will definitely give you a run for your money, as the saying goes. In other words, they will put up an amazing fight from the time they're first hooked until the very end. This is one of the reasons why so many anglers fish for the striped bass. You couldn't ask for more excitement from a fishing trip than what you'll get when you hook one of these species.

The striped bass has a silver or olive-green color back and they have a white belly. They are classified as being a "true bass" and they can be distinguished by the seven or eight stripes that run horizontally across both sides of the body. The spiny fin is separated by a soft-rayed portion and it's believed this species can live up to about thirty years. Striped bass have been caught weighing in over hundred pounds and they grow very quickly.

A young striped bass will look similar to a white bass but you can tell the difference by looking for two distinct tooth patches on the backside of the tongue and the two sharp points on each of the gill covers. If it has these two distinctive markings, then it's a striped bass.

The Habitat of the Striped Bass

The striped bass is actually a native to the majority of the waters located on the east coast and parts of the Gulf of Mexico. They can live in both saltwater and freshwater provided the condition of the water is suitable for them to grow and thrive. They prefer to live in large bodies of water that are clear and very deep. However, in order for this species to survive the water must be cool enough and the amount of oxygen in the water needs to be high.

The only way they could live in waters that are completely surrounded by land would be if the temperature of the water and oxygen level in these waters remain favorable all year long. If they get too hot, cold or if the oxygen levels drop too low, they will not survive since they won't be able to move to a more favorable area like they would do in open waters.

The preferred temperature for this species is between sixty-five and seventy degrees. The young bass are usually found in estuaries and river systems where the spawning normally takes place. When the bass mature they can be found around rip tide, bays, inshore bars and reefs. They don't usually travel more than about five miles from the coastline.

The striped bass prefer the clear water so you won't have much luck finding them if you're fishing in dark or murky waters. They can also see well in these clear waters so you have to be careful not to spook them when you're approaching their location.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best bass fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askbassf ishing.com/ editorials/ striped-bass- habitat.html for more information on bass fishing.