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Landed a 17inch Striped Bass in Hingham
Striped Bass Fishing in Hingham, MA
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Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) are one of the most prized gamefish on the Atlantic coast. These powerful predators can reach impressive sizes between 20 and 55 inches in length and weigh anywhere from 10 to 81 pounds at maturity. - Adaptable to various habitats including rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. - Distinctive appearance with 7-8 horizontal black stripes running along silvery sides. - Known for powerful fights and delicious white meat.
Fishing Charter by Captain David Horte in August
Meet your Captain David Horte
- Top Fishing Charter in Hingham, MA
Summary
What a fantastic day we had on the water with Blueline Fishing Charters in Hingham! Our Friday May trip targeting Striped Bass couldn't have gone better with perfect weather conditions—partly cloudy skies and calm waters. We employed various techniques including deep sea jigging and light tackle fishing to maximize our chances. The action was steady throughout the day, with multiple 17-inch Striped Bass coming to the boat. May is truly prime season for targeting these powerful gamefish in the Weymouth and Hingham waters. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to inshore fishing charters, Captain David's local knowledge ensures you'll have the best chance at landing these prized fish during their seasonal migration.
Fishing Charter with David Horte – Rates & Booking
Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters offers Friday May inshore fishing trips targeting the fantastic Striped Bass fishery in Hingham and Weymouth waters. These guided trips include all necessary fishing equipment, expert instruction, and fish cleaning services. The charter accommodates both beginner and experienced anglers, with personalized attention to ensure everyone has a successful day on the water. Morning trips typically start early to take advantage of prime feeding times, while afternoon options are also available depending on tides and conditions.
To secure your spot with this licensed, experienced captain, booking in advance is recommended, especially during the peak May Striped Bass season when availability fills quickly. These trips offer an excellent opportunity to experience the thrill of catching hard-fighting Stripers while enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery of Hingham Bay.
Highlights of this Charter
This Striped Bass charter in Hingham delivers consistent action using multiple fishing techniques tailored to current conditions. Captain David expertly employs deep sea jigging, trolling, and light tackle approaches to put clients on fish. The 17-inch Striped Bass landed during this trip demonstrates the quality of the local fishery, with many anglers catching multiple fish throughout their charter.
The Hingham and Weymouth waters provide the perfect environment for Striped Bass in May, offering varied structure and baitfish that attract these prized gamefish. The partly cloudy conditions during this trip created ideal visibility both for spotting fish activity and ensuring comfortable temperatures for a full day on the water. Whether you're documenting your catch with photos or enjoying the excitement of catch-and-release action, this charter delivers memorable fishing experiences.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped Bass are the crown jewels of inshore fishing in Hingham during May. These powerful, line-stripping gamefish follow predictable migration patterns, arriving in Massachusetts waters as water temperatures rise in late spring. When fishing Hingham Bay, look for Stripers around structure, channel edges, and areas with current flow where baitfish concentrate.
The most productive techniques for Striped Bass in this area include jigging with soft plastics near bottom structure, casting topwater lures at dawn and dusk, or drifting live bait in deeper channels. Local anglers particularly value the Hingham area for its consistent Striper fishing, with both schoolie-sized fish and larger specimens available throughout the season. Our 17-inch catch represents a typical "schoolie" size, though trophy fish exceeding 40 inches are certainly possible when conditions align perfectly.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
When heading out with Blueline Fishing Charters, plan to arrive at the dock at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing including a light jacket for morning trips, even in May. Don't forget sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) and non-marking shoes with good grip for boat safety.
The charter provides all necessary fishing gear, including quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for targeting Striped Bass. A cooler with ice is available for your catch, though you're welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages for the trip. For the best experience, listen closely to Captain David's instructions—his local knowledge and fishing expertise will maximize your chances of landing Hingham's prized Striped Bass.
Fishing in Boston: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), belonging to the Moronidae family and order Perciformes, is one of the most celebrated gamefish along the Atlantic coast. Easily identified by its distinctive seven to eight horizontal black stripes running along silvery sides, these fish provide some of the most exciting action for anglers in Hingham waters during May's prime fishing season.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass represent the pinnacle of inshore sportfishing in the Northeast. These powerful, adaptable predators are highly sought after for their challenging fights and excellent table fare. Known colloquially as "stripers" or "rockfish" in some regions, they support major recreational fisheries throughout their range.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
These adaptable fish thrive in various environments including rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. They're primarily an anadromous species, meaning they spawn in freshwater but spend most of their adult lives in saltwater. Around Hingham, MA, they can be found in harbor areas, along rocky shorelines, near channel edges, and around structure that concentrates baitfish.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights varying from 10 to 81 pounds for trophy specimens. The 17-inch specimen caught on this charter represents a smaller "schoolie" size, though fish exceeding 40 inches are not uncommon in Massachusetts waters during peak season.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
These opportunistic predators feed on a variety of prey including menhaden, herring, mackerel, eels, squid, and crustaceans. They often hunt in schools, trapping baitfish against structure or the surface. Stripers are most active during dawn and dusk, though feeding can occur throughout the day depending on tide conditions and baitfish movements.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Spawning typically occurs in freshwater from April through June when water temperatures reach 60-70°F. In Massachusetts, many Striped Bass spawn in the Hudson and Chesapeake systems before migrating northward. By May, post-spawn fish are often arriving in Hingham waters, hungry and ready to feed aggressively.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Successful Striper fishing in Hingham combines several approaches. Deep jigging with soft plastics near bottom structure works well when fish are holding deeper. Casting topwater plugs or swimming lures during low light periods can produce explosive strikes. Live bait such as mackerel or pogies is extremely effective when drifted through current seams. In May, anglers around Hingham often find concentrations of Stripers around the harbor mouth, near bridge structures, and along adjacent shorelines where tidal movement concentrates baitfish.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass is highly regarded as table fare, featuring firm, white, flaky meat with a mild flavor that lends itself to various cooking methods. It's rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, though larger specimens may contain higher mercury levels. Grilling, baking, and blackening are all popular preparation methods that highlight the fish's natural flavor.
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 jigs, swimming plugs, and topwater lures all work well depending on conditions and time of day.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near Hingham?
A: Key locations include the harbor entrance, bridge pilings, rocky shorelines, and deeper channels with current flow. Focus on areas where tidal movement creates ambush points for feeding fish.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass is excellent eating with firm, white meat that's versatile for various cooking methods. Most anglers prefer fish between 24-32 inches for optimal meat quality.
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 offering some of the best action. Dawn and dusk provide peak feeding periods, though tide changes can trigger bites throughout the day.
Q: What size Striped Bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
A: Regulations change annually, but currently, Massachusetts allows harvest of Striped Bass between 28-35 inches. Always check current regulations before fishing as size limits and bag limits are subject to change.
Q: What tackle should I use for Striped Bass?
A: Medium to medium-heavy spinning or conventional gear with 15-30 pound test line works well. Rod length of 7-9 feet provides good casting distance while maintaining enough backbone to handle larger fish.
