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Caught a 26inch Striped Bass in Hingham
Striped Bass Fishing in Hingham, MA
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The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) is one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast. These powerful predators are known for their distinctive horizontal stripes and fighting ability. - Typically measure between 20-55 inches with weights from 10-81 pounds. - Inhabit diverse environments including rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. - Prime targets for anglers due to their aggressive strikes and powerful runs.
Fishing Charter by Captain David Horte in August
Meet your Captain David Horte
- Top Fishing Charter in Hingham, MA
Summary
Our May fishing charter in Hingham delivered exactly what we were after—prime Striped Bass action on light tackle! Friday May provided perfect conditions with partly cloudy skies and calm waters, setting us up for a productive day on the water. Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters led us to several productive spots around Weymouth and Hingham Bay where we employed a mix of jigging, trolling, and light tackle fishing. The Stripers were active and hungry, providing consistent action throughout the day. When targeting these powerful gamefish in Massachusetts waters, timing is everything, and May offers some of the best opportunities to land quality fish. For anyone looking to experience the thrill of battling Striped Bass in these productive inshore waters, booking with a local guide who understands seasonal patterns makes all the difference.
Fishing Charter with David Horte – Rates & Booking
Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters on Friday May provides professional inshore fishing trips targeting Striped Bass in Hingham and surrounding waters. Our charters typically last 4-6 hours and include all necessary fishing equipment, licenses, and bait. We specialize in light tackle and jigging techniques that are highly effective for the local Striper population. With years of experience navigating these waters, Captain David knows exactly where to find the best fishing spots based on tide, time of day, and seasonal patterns.
Our vessel is well-maintained and equipped with quality fishing gear, fish finding technology, and safety equipment. We welcome anglers of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned fishermen. For the best experience, we recommend booking in advance, especially during peak Striped Bass season in May when availability fills quickly. Morning trips often provide the most productive fishing, though afternoon charters can be excellent as well depending on tide conditions.
Highlights of Inshore Fishing Trip
One of the highlights of our Hingham fishing charters is the opportunity to target trophy-sized Striped Bass in their prime feeding grounds. Using specialized jigging and light tackle techniques, you'll experience the thrill of battling these powerful fish as they make impressive runs and put your angling skills to the test. The Weymouth and Hingham area offers some of Massachusetts' most productive Striper fishing, with consistent action throughout the late spring and summer months.
Beyond just catching fish, our charters provide a complete maritime experience. You'll enjoy scenic views of the Boston Harbor Islands and coastline while learning proven fishing methods from an experienced captain. The mixed techniques we employ—from deep sea approaches to light tackle casting—ensure you'll gain valuable skills that improve your fishing abilities. Whether you're looking to land your personal best Striped Bass or simply enjoy a day on the water with friends or family, our inshore trips deliver memorable fishing adventures.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped Bass thrive in Hingham's varied coastal habitats, preferring areas where tidal currents create natural feeding opportunities. These powerful gamefish move between deeper channels and shallow flats depending on tide stage and bait presence. During May, they typically feed aggressively as they follow baitfish migrations into Massachusetts Bay. For the best results, we target structure like channel edges, rocky shorelines, and current breaks where Stripers ambush prey.
When fishing for Striped Bass in Hingham waters, we adjust our techniques based on conditions and fish behavior. Early morning and evening trips often produce the most consistent action, though daytime fishing can be excellent when conditions align. The 26-inch specimens we commonly catch provide sporty fights on light tackle, while larger fish in the 30-40 inch class deliver memorable battles that test both equipment and angler. Understanding the relationship between tide timing, water temperature, and bait presence is crucial for success with these intelligent predators.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your day on the water with Blueline Fishing Charters, we recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camera to document your catch. Our vessel comfortably accommodates up to six anglers with ample deck space for casting and fighting fish. We provide all necessary fishing equipment including quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait—though experienced anglers are welcome to bring their favorite gear if preferred.
Most charters depart early morning (around 6-7 AM) to capitalize on prime feeding periods, though we can accommodate afternoon trips based on availability and tide conditions. We operate from a convenient marina location with parking and facilities nearby. For your comfort, it's advisable to bring food and beverages, though we do provide water onboard. Safety is our priority, so we maintain all required safety equipment and monitor weather conditions closely to ensure an enjoyable, productive day on the water.
Fishing in Boston: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), belonging to the Moronidae family and Perciformes order, is one of the Atlantic coast's most prized gamefish. Known for its distinctive horizontal black stripes running along silvery sides, this powerful predator is a favorite target for anglers in Hingham waters during May when they begin their seasonal feeding patterns.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass are anadromous fish that can thrive in freshwater, saltwater, and everything in between. Their adaptability, combined with their fighting spirit and table quality, makes them highly sought after by recreational anglers. Their population has rebounded thanks to careful management after facing serious decline in the 1980s.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
These fish range from the St. Lawrence River in Canada down to the St. Johns River in Florida, with their primary Atlantic coastal range from Maine to North Carolina. Around Hingham, MA, they're typically found in nearshore waters, harbor areas, and estuaries where freshwater meets saltwater. They prefer structures like rocky outcroppings, channel edges, and areas with strong current flow.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights between 10 and 81 pounds. The average keeper-sized Striper in Massachusetts waters falls in the 28-36 inch range, though trophy specimens exceeding 40 inches are caught each season. The current Massachusetts state record stands at over 70 pounds.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
These opportunistic predators feed primarily on baitfish like menhaden, herring, and mackerel, along with squid, crabs, and various invertebrates. They're known for their aggressive feeding habits, often corralling baitfish against structures or the surface. In Hingham waters, they typically feed most actively during dawn, dusk, and throughout night hours, especially during strong tidal movements.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Stripers spawn in freshwater rivers in spring when water temperatures reach 60-65°F. The major spawning grounds include the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River, and Hudson River. After spawning, mature fish migrate northward along the coast, which is why May brings excellent fishing opportunities to Massachusetts waters as these post-spawn fish arrive hungry and ready to feed.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Several productive methods work well for Hingham Stripers. Live bait fishing with mackerel, pogies (menhaden), or eels is extremely effective, especially during slower tide periods. Artificial lures including swimming plugs, soft plastic jigs, and metal spoons all produce strikes when matched to prevailing conditions. In May around Hingham, anglers find success targeting rocky structure during moving tides, with early morning and evening providing peak action as bass move into shallower water to feed.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass offers excellent table fare with firm, white, flaky meat that has a mild, sweet flavor. It's versatile for cooking—grilled, baked, broiled, or pan-seared with simple seasonings to highlight its natural taste. While nutritionally rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, anglers should be mindful of consumption advisories in some regions due to potential contaminants in larger, older specimens.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Striped Bass?
A: Live baits like mackerel, menhaden (pogies), and eels are top producers. For artificial lures, soft plastic swimbaits, topwater plugs, and diamond jigs work exceptionally well in Hingham waters, especially when matching the size of local baitfish.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near Hingham?
A: Focus on areas with structure and current, including harbor entrances, rocky shorelines, channel edges, and areas with depth changes. During May, productive spots include the waters around Boston Harbor Islands, Hull Gut, and the mouths of rivers feeding into the bay.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass is considered excellent table fare with firm white meat and mild flavor. Medium-sized fish (24-32 inches) generally offer the best eating quality, and the fillets can be prepared in numerous ways.
Q: When is the best time to catch Striped Bass?
A: In Hingham, the season typically runs from May through October, with May and June often providing the most consistent action. The best daily fishing times coincide with dawn, dusk, and tide changes, particularly the first two hours of an incoming or outgoing tide.
Q: What size Striped Bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
A: Massachusetts regulations change periodically, but generally require Striped Bass to be within a specific slot limit. Always check the latest Massachusetts Marine Fisheries regulations before keeping any fish, as limits are adjusted to protect the population.
Q: What fishing techniques work best for beginners targeting Striped Bass?
A: For beginners, chunking with fresh bait on a fish-finder rig offers the simplest approach with good success rates. Casting soft plastic jigs on jigheads is another relatively straightforward technique that produces well in Hingham waters during May when Stripers are actively feeding.
