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Blueline Fishing Charters Fishing Charter in Hingham
Striped Bass Fishing in Hingham, MA
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The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) is one of the most prized gamefish along the Atlantic coast. These powerful fish are known for their distinctive horizontal stripes and fighting ability that challenges even experienced anglers. - Typically measure between 20-55 inches in length - Can weigh anywhere from 10 to 81 pounds - Thrive in various habitats including rivers, lakes, and coastal waters
Fishing Charter by Captain David Horte in August
Meet your Captain David Horte
- Top Fishing Charter in Hingham, MA
Summary
Join Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters for an action-packed Thursday July fishing charter targeting the prized striped bass in Hingham, MA. This 5-hour inshore trip takes you to productive local hotspots around Hingham Bay, Hull, and surrounding waters. Captain Horte specializes in putting clients on quality stripers using various techniques from bottom fishing to trolling and light tackle casting. With a maximum of 6 guests (though 4 is recommended for the optimal experience), this charter includes all necessary fishing gear, licenses, and expert guidance to maximize your chances of landing that memorable catch. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing, the South Shore waters offer excellent opportunities for striped bass action throughout the summer season.
Fishing Charter with David Horte – Rates & Booking
Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters on Thursday July offers his 5-Hour Trip targeting striped bass in Hingham, Hull, and local hotspots. This private charter accommodates up to 6 passengers (4 recommended) and includes all fishing gear, bait, and licenses for a complete experience. The standard 5-hour trip can be extended for $120 per additional hour if you want more time on the water. Departure times are flexible, just contact Captain Horte to arrange your preferred start time. With his extensive knowledge of the South Shore waters, Captain Horte puts his expertise to work to give you the best chance at landing quality striped bass.
Highlights of Half Day Guided Bluefish And Striped Bass Fishing Trip In South Shore, MA
This inshore fishing charter delivers consistent action, focusing on the productive waters around Hingham Bay, Hull, Weymouth, Quincy and Boston Harbor. During a recent trip, Captain Horte guided his client to a impressive 33-inch striper—a testament to the quality of fishing these waters offer. The versatility of fishing techniques employed keeps the experience engaging, with options including bottom fishing, trolling, and light tackle casting depending on conditions and fish behavior.
Perfect for anglers of all skill levels, this trip provides the ideal introduction to Massachusetts' legendary striped bass fishery. Captain Horte tailors his approach to your experience level, ensuring everyone from beginners to seasoned anglers enjoys productive time on the water. The convenient departure location at 18 Shipyard Dr puts you quickly into prime fishing grounds, maximizing your time actually fishing rather than traveling.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped bass thrive in the waters around Hingham, particularly during summer months when they feed actively throughout the area. These powerful gamefish are known for their strong fights and strategic feeding patterns. Captain Horte has mastered the local patterns of these fish, understanding where they congregate around structure, current lines, and bait concentrations in Hingham Bay and surrounding waters.
Summer fishing for stripers in Massachusetts requires adaptable techniques as the fish respond to changing conditions. Morning and evening trips often produce the best results, especially when targeting larger specimens. The waters around Hingham offer ideal habitat with numerous underwater structures, channels, and bait-rich areas where stripers hunt. Captain Horte leverages this knowledge to position clients in prime locations when the feeding activity peaks.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your charter departs from 18 Shipyard Dr in Hingham, where you'll meet Captain Horte at your scheduled time. The boat is well-equipped with quality fishing gear, safety equipment, and everything needed for a successful day on the water. Weather conditions in July are typically favorable, with partly cloudy skies and moderate temperatures creating comfortable fishing conditions. It's recommended to bring sun protection, appropriate clothing for the weather, and any personal items you might need. Captain Horte focuses on creating a safe, enjoyable atmosphere where clients can focus entirely on the fishing experience while he handles all the technical aspects of the trip.
Fishing in Boston: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), belonging to the Moronidae family in the order Perciformes, is one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast. Easily identifiable by their distinctive seven to eight horizontal black stripes running along silvery sides, these powerful fish provide exceptional sport fishing opportunities. In Hingham waters this July, anglers specifically target these prized fish during their summer feeding patterns.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass are anadromous fish, meaning they spend most of their lives in saltwater but return to freshwater to spawn. They're highly valued by recreational anglers for their fighting ability, size potential, and table quality, making them one of the premier gamefish species in Massachusetts waters.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
These adaptable fish thrive in diverse environments including rivers, lakes, nearshore waters, and estuaries. They prefer areas with structure, current, and abundant bait. Around Hingham, they're commonly found in harbor channels, near rocky shorelines, around bridge pilings, and adjacent to deeper water drop-offs. Their ability to move between fresh and saltwater environments makes them accessible in various locations throughout the fishing season.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights varying from 10 to 81 pounds. Trophy specimens exceeding 40 inches are considered exceptional catches, though the average keeper-sized fish in Massachusetts waters typically measures between 28-36 inches. The current state record continues to inspire anglers hoping to land that once-in-a-lifetime trophy.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
These opportunistic predators feed on a variety of prey, primarily focusing on baitfish like menhaden, herring, mackerel, and squid. They also consume crustaceans and smaller fish. Stripers typically feed most actively during dawn and dusk, though tidal movements often influence feeding patterns more than time of day. They're known for aggressive feeding frenzies when bait is abundant, creating exciting opportunities for anglers.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Striped Bass spawn in freshwater during spring months when water temperatures reach approximately 60-65°F. Most Massachusetts stripers are part of the larger migratory population that spawns in the Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River, or Delaware River before moving northward along the coast. By July in Hingham, the post-spawn fish are actively feeding and regaining strength, making it an excellent time to target them.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Several effective methods work well for targeting stripers in Hingham waters. Trolling with umbrella rigs, tube and worm combinations, or diving plugs consistently produces results, especially along channel edges and depth transitions. Casting live bait such as mackerel or pogies (menhaden) around structure often entices larger specimens. For a more active approach, casting topwater plugs, soft plastic swimbaits, or bucktail jigs around structure during moving tides can trigger explosive strikes. In July, anglers around Hingham find particular success working deeper channel edges during midday heat and transitioning to shallower structure during early morning or evening hours.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass is highly regarded for its culinary qualities, featuring firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor. The meat holds up well to various cooking methods including grilling, baking, and broiling. It's nutritionally valuable, offering high protein content and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. However, many anglers practice catch and release with larger specimens to help sustain the population, while keeping only mid-sized fish when harvesting for the table.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Striped Bass?
A: Live baits including mackerel, menhaden (pogies), eels, and herring are top producers in Hingham waters. For artificial lures, soft plastic swimbaits in 6-9 inch sizes, topwater plugs during low light, and jigs with soft plastic trailers work exceptionally well when matched to local baitfish.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near Hingham?
A: Productive locations include the deeper channels of Hingham Bay, structure around Hull, underwater humps near Peddocks Island, and areas with current flow around bridge pilings. The waters around Quincy and Weymouth also hold fish, particularly during tide changes when bait gets concentrated.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass is excellent table fare with firm, white flesh and a mild, sweet flavor that isn't overly "fishy." It's versatile for cooking and provides significant nutritional benefits. However, be sure to follow local consumption advisories and regulations regarding size limits and seasonal restrictions.
Q: When is the best time to catch Striped Bass?
A: In Hingham, the prime season runs from late May through October, with July being an excellent month as post-spawn fish actively feed. Daily, the most productive times typically coincide with moving tides, especially the first few hours of incoming or outgoing tides. Dawn and dusk provide additional advantages, particularly when these periods align with favorable tide stages.
Q: What size Striped Bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
A: Massachusetts regulations typically allow for keeping Striped Bass within a specific slot limit (check current regulations as they may change). Always ensure you have a valid fishing license and are familiar with the most up-to-date size and bag limits before harvesting any fish.
Q: What tackle should I use for Striped Bass fishing?
A: Medium-heavy to heavy spinning or conventional tackle with 20-40 lb test line is standard for Hingham striper fishing. Rods in the 7-9 foot range offer versatility for both casting and trolling applications. Captain Horte provides all necessary equipment on his charters, tailored to the specific techniques planned for your trip.
