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Caught a 32inch 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 along the Atlantic coast, known for their powerful fights and excellent taste. These distinctive fish feature 7-8 dark horizontal stripes running along their silvery sides, making them easily identifiable. They're anadromous, meaning they migrate from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. - Striped bass can live up to 30 years in the wild. - They can grow to impressive sizes, with the largest recorded specimens exceeding 75 pounds. - They're opportunistic feeders, hunting everything from small baitfish to crabs and eels.
Fishing Charter by Captain David Horte in August
Meet your Captain David Horte
- Top Fishing Charter in Hingham, MA
Summary
Our 5-hour inshore fishing charter with Blueline Fishing Charters on Tuesday August delivered exactly what we were after—a beautiful 32-inch striped bass! Setting out from Hingham under partly cloudy skies, we explored the productive waters of the Gulf of Maine. We mixed up our techniques throughout the day, trying everything from surf casting along the shoreline to trolling deeper waters and bottom fishing. The versatility paid off when we landed that memorable striper. Whether you're an experienced angler or just looking to get on the water, these local Hingham waters offer some of the best striped bass fishing in Massachusetts during the summer months.
Fishing Charter with David Horte – Rates & Booking
Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters on Tuesday August offers 5-hour inshore trips targeting striped bass in the Gulf of Maine. Our charters provide all necessary fishing gear, bait, and tackle—just bring your fishing license, weather-appropriate clothing, and refreshments. We welcome anglers of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned fishermen. The boat comfortably accommodates small groups, making for a personalized fishing experience. Early morning departures typically yield the best results, especially during summer months when striped bass are most active in Hingham waters.
Highlights of 5 Hour Inshore Trip
Our recent outing showcased why Hingham is a prime destination for striped bass fishing. We employed multiple techniques—surf casting along productive shorelines, trolling through deeper channels, and targeting structure with bottom fishing approaches. The mixed strategy worked perfectly, resulting in that impressive 32-inch striper that made the trip memorable.
The Gulf of Maine offers diverse fishing grounds, and our local knowledge helps put clients on fish consistently. The partly cloudy conditions provided ideal fishing weather, with comfortable temperatures and good visibility. While we focused on quality over quantity, landing that single trophy fish made for an excellent day on the water—exactly the kind of experience that keeps anglers coming back to Blueline Fishing Charters.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped bass are the premier gamefish in Hingham's waters, known for their powerful fights and excellent table fare. These fish thrive in the Gulf of Maine's ecosystem, preferring structure, current edges, and bait-rich environments. During summer months, stripers can be found hunting in various depths—from shallow shorelines to deeper channels.
For the best results, we typically use a combination of live bait (mackerel or pogies when available) and artificial lures like swimming plugs and soft plastics. Morning and evening trips often produce the most consistent action, especially around tide changes when striped bass feed most aggressively. The summer season offers prime fishing opportunities as water temperatures reach the sweet spot for active feeding patterns.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our vessel is well-equipped with quality rods, reels, and electronics to locate and catch striped bass effectively. We recommend bringing sun protection, a light jacket (even on summer days), non-marking shoes, and your own food and drinks. Trips depart from Hingham Harbor, and we typically meet 15-30 minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure a prompt start. For the best experience, book well in advance during peak summer months when striped bass fishing is at its prime and charter availability becomes limited.
Fishing in Boston: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), from the Moronidae family and order Perciformes, is one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast. Distinguished by its seven to eight dark horizontal stripes running along silvery sides, this powerful fish provides both an exciting challenge for anglers and delicious table fare. In Hingham waters this August, stripers are actively feeding as they patrol the nutrient-rich Gulf of Maine.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass are prized for their fighting ability, size potential, and accessibility to both shore and boat anglers. These anadromous fish migrate between fresh and saltwater environments, making them available to anglers in various settings throughout the year. Their popularity stems from their aggressive strikes, powerful runs, and reputation as excellent eating fish.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
Primarily found along the Atlantic coast from the St. Lawrence River to northern Florida, Striped Bass inhabit rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal ocean waters. They prefer structure-rich environments with current, including jetties, rocky shorelines, and drop-offs. Around Hingham, they're commonly found near harbor entrances, rocky points, and channels where bait concentrates.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length and weigh between 10 and 81 pounds. Most keeper-sized fish caught in Massachusetts waters range from 28-40 inches, with trophy specimens exceeding 40 pounds. Growth rates vary based on food availability and habitat conditions, with females generally growing larger than males.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
These opportunistic predators feed on a variety of prey including herring, mackerel, menhaden, sand eels, crabs, and squid. They often hunt in schools, corralling baitfish against structure or the surface. Stripers typically feed most actively during dawn and dusk, though they'll also feed throughout the day when bait is abundant or during tide changes.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Spawning occurs in spring (April-June) in freshwater rivers when water temperatures reach 60-65°F. After spawning in freshwater, many stripers migrate to coastal waters for summer feeding. By August in Hingham, most striped bass have established summer feeding patterns, concentrating around structure and bait schools throughout the Gulf of Maine.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Multiple effective techniques work for stripers in Hingham waters. Casting topwater plugs or swimming lures near shorelines and structure during early morning or evening hours can produce explosive strikes. Live bait fishing with mackerel or pogies (menhaden) on circle hooks remains consistently productive, especially around deeper structure. In August, anglers around Hingham find success trolling tube-and-worm rigs along depth contours and structure edges, particularly during tide changes when stripers actively feed.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass offers excellent table fare with firm, white, flaky meat and a mild flavor that's not overly fishy. It's versatile for cooking—grilled, baked, broiled, or pan-seared preparations all work well. The fish is nutritionally valuable, providing high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals. However, be aware of local consumption advisories, as larger specimens may contain higher levels of mercury and PCBs.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Striped Bass?
A: Live bait such as mackerel, menhaden (pogies), and eels are extremely effective. For artificial lures, swimming plugs, soft plastics that imitate local baitfish, and topwater lures work well, especially in low light conditions.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near Hingham?
A: Look for them around harbor entrances, rocky points, channel edges, and anywhere baitfish concentrate. The waters around Boston Harbor, Hull Gut, and offshore structure in the Gulf of Maine are productive areas, especially during tide changes.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass is excellent eating with firm, white, flaky meat and a mild flavor. It's versatile for various cooking methods and nutritious, though be mindful of consumption advisories for larger specimens.
Q: When is the best time to catch Striped Bass?
A: In Hingham, the prime season runs from late May through October. The best daily times are typically dawn and dusk, and fishing around tide changes (especially the first two hours of an incoming or outgoing tide) often produces the most consistent action.
Q: What size Striped Bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
A: Always check current regulations as they change, but Massachusetts typically allows harvest of Striped Bass between 28-35 inches, with daily bag limits. Special permits may be required, and some areas have specific regulations.
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 for most situations. Heavier gear may be needed for trophy fish or fishing around heavy structure. A 7-8 foot rod provides good casting distance and leverage for fighting larger fish.
