Top Five Fishing Trips For Striped Bass

Best Striper Trips

Fishing for striped bass or “rockfish” is an exhilarating experience because these fish can grow huge and put up a stout fight. These fish are found in both salt and freshwater which gives angers a variety of options when it comes to planning a trip. Here’s our top five picks for best striper fishing trips.

New Jersey

Captain Frank - Stone Harbor, NJ

This six hour trip usually heads out to the inshore and nearshore waters around Stone Harbor. The extra couple of hours allows anglers the opportunity to catch several fish species and use multiple fishing techniques. Captain Frank normally targets the reefs, wrecks, and other structures for a variety of species including striped bass. If you love being out on the water, this is the trip for you.

Captain Frank grew up fishing the beach, bays, banks, and jetties with his dad to catch the smaller fish they would use as bait. As Frank got older he started fishing with friends on their boats, or on docks, bridges, and off the sod banks.

Today, Captain Frank runs guided fishing trips with his past fishing experiences in mind. Captain Frank said “I try to share my passion for fishing with everyone who comes out with me. I share my experience, my knowledge, and joy of the pursuit of fish. As a teacher, I know I have the ability to express the intricacies of fishing to anyone, regardless of age or experience. Regardless of whether you are a novice who might be curious about a certain way to fish, or a seasoned angler looking for a trip out, I can accommodate you. We go where the fish are!"

Massachusetts

captain Hal - Nantucket, MA

Captain Hal specializes in light tackle sight casting and fly fishing for his favorite Nantucket species, striped bass and bluefish! ​​Hal has been a Nantucket island resident since 1980, but has fished these prolific waters since the late 70's. Captain Hal grew up on the coast of Long Island where he mastered a variety of techniques and strategies for catching huge striped bass. After college Captain Hal moved to South Florida and took a job working on a large sport fishing boat in Ft Lauderdale.

After that adventure was over, Hal put down roots in Nantucket where he passed along his passion for fishing to his sons. In 1996, Captain Hal started his charter service to continue sharing his passion for fishing with more people.

Captain Drew - Chatham, MA

Climb aboard with Captain Drew for an action-packed day of Cape Cod fishing! Cape Cod has some of the best fishing in the country and is home to prized fish all over the peninsula! On his half or full-day trips, Captain Drew will take you out to inshore and nearshore waters where you can expect to target striped bass and Bonito. Depending on the time of year, Captain Drew will take you to where the Stripers are biting:

In June and July you will be Sight fishing for migratory Stripers on the flats of Monomoy and South Cape beaches. You can also head out a little farther to P-Town and Cape Cod Bay for some epic topwater Striper fishing with plugs or on the fly. From mid-July through October, the local striped bass fishing is world-class up and down the beach and at the Monomoy Rips.

Captain Drew constantly changes his tackle to stay on the bite , and he will give you some of his expert tips to make sure you get hooked up. You'll be fishing aboard a 33’ Grady White Canyon center console that can comfortably fit 6 anglers. This do-it-all boat is perfect for navigating Chatham's inshore fisheries and the open waters.

Texas

Captain Jackie - Lake Buchanan, TX

Head out with Captain Jackie for an exciting day of striper fishing on Lake Buchanan. Lake Buchanan is one of the best striper fishing locations in Central Texas thanks to the incredible stocking program. The striped bass start their yearly schooling and feeding activity in February. On Jackie’s 4 and 8-hour trips, Jackie takes you out on Lake Buchanan to go after some trophy striped bass, crappie, and white bass. Depending on the time of year, you can target striped bass using light tackle while bottom fishing or stalking them with a trolling motor. This trip is great for all anglers from beginners to veterans because of the unique fishing style.

Originally from Austin, Captain Jackie absolutely loves fishing the Central Texas lakes. Ever since he learned to cast, Jackie has been getting fish in the boat. His ability to instruct and sixth sense for finding fish puts his trips above the rest. Captain Jackie loves to teach kids how to catch fish using the latest techniques, methods and information on the lakes he fishes. For many years now, Jackie has participated in the 4-H Sport Fishing Camp experience for Texas children. Kids of any age are welcome to experience the joy of catching stripers on Lake Buchanan.

Captain John - Lake Texoma, TX

Captain John is an experienced striper angler and runs top notch striper trips on Lake Texoma. Originally from Boston, John grew up fishing for Striped Bass with his dad starting at only six years old. John and his dad would fish from the beaches of Cape Cod, surf casting for cruising stripers.

From the beginning, striped bass consumed his attention thanks to their strong fight. During John’s teens, the family moved to Connecticut where they continued to fish for Stripers in the Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound and around Montauk, New York. Captain John purchased a 23' Mako center console and began running Striped Bass fishing charters along the Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York shorelines.Over the years, Captain John is proud to say his biggest Striper to-date is a 67 pounder caught on live mackerel near Plum Gut, New York.

Then, a job brought Captain John to Texas and he already knew about Lake Texoma regarded it as one of the best striped bass fisheries in the world. Lake Texoma Stripers spawn naturally unlike other lakes. After fishing recreationally on Lake Texoma for 16 years, Captain John made the leap into professional guiding year-round. Captain John loves teaching and watching people catch fish more than he likes catching them himself. His personal best Lake Texoma Striper is 27 pounds and he's always searching for something bigger.