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Caught a trophy Striped Bass in Hingham
Striped Bass Fishing in Hingham, MA
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The Striped Bass is a highly prized game fish along the Atlantic coast, known for its fighting ability and delicious flavor. These fish can be found in various habitats including rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, making them accessible to anglers in different settings. - Striped Bass typically measure between 20-55 inches in length. - They can weigh anywhere from 10 to 81 pounds, with trophy specimens reaching the upper end of this range.
Fishing Charter by Captain David Horte in December
Meet your Captain David Horte
- Top Fishing Charter in Hingham, MA
Summary
Blueline Fishing Charters offers some of the best Striped Bass fishing in Hingham, MA. Our Tuesday August trip delivered exciting action with a beautiful 32-inch striper landed during our 5-hour inshore charter. Captain David Horte knows these Gulf of Maine waters inside and out, working multiple techniques from surf casting along the shoreline to trolling deeper waters and bottom fishing. The partly cloudy skies provided perfect conditions for a memorable day on the water. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing, our local knowledge and versatile approach help put clients on quality fish throughout the season.
Fishing Charter with David Horte – Rates & Booking
Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters on Tuesday August offers 5-hour inshore fishing trips targeting Striped Bass in the waters around Hingham. Our trips are perfect for anglers of all experience levels looking to catch these prized gamefish in the Gulf of Maine. We provide all the necessary gear and tackle, combining various fishing techniques from surf casting to trolling to maximize your chances of landing quality fish. With years of local experience, Captain David knows exactly where to find striped bass depending on conditions and time of year. Space is limited to ensure personalized attention, so booking in advance is recommended, especially during prime summer fishing season.
Highlights of 5 Hour Inshore Trip
Our recent charter showcased the quality of fishing available in Hingham waters. The highlight was a beautiful 32-inch Striped Bass that put up an impressive fight before coming to the boat. We used multiple fishing techniques throughout the day, adapting to conditions and fish behavior to maximize our success.
The Gulf of Maine offers consistent Striped Bass action, and our versatile approach allows us to target them effectively regardless of conditions. From shoreline structure to deeper water haunts, we know where these fish hold and how to entice them to bite. The partly cloudy conditions on our trip provided ideal visibility and comfort while on the water, making for an enjoyable day of fishing.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped Bass in Hingham waters are prized for their fighting ability and table quality. These fish typically move into our area during summer months when water temperatures are ideal. They can be found around structure, shorelines, and current seams where baitfish concentrate. The 32-inch specimen we caught represents a quality fish for the region, though they can grow much larger.
For targeting Striped Bass, we employ various techniques depending on conditions. Surf casting near shoreline structure works well during certain tides, while trolling allows us to cover water and locate actively feeding fish. Live bait and artificial lures are both effective, and we're always prepared with multiple options to match what the fish want on any given day. The summer and early fall months provide prime opportunities for Striped Bass in our waters, making it the perfect time to book your trip.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our charters depart from Hingham, and we recommend arriving 15 minutes before your scheduled trip time. We provide all fishing gear, tackle, bait, and ice for your catch. Bringing sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, and beverages is recommended. Our boat is well-equipped with safety gear and fish-finding technology to maximize your experience and comfort on the water. Most 5-hour trips run either morning (6am-11am) or afternoon (12pm-5pm) depending on tides and conditions. We're happy to accommodate anglers of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
Fishing in Boston: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), belonging to the Moronidae family and Perciformes order, is one of the most iconic and sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast. Known for their distinctive dark horizontal stripes running from gills to tail on a silver-to-olive body, these fish are prized catches in Hingham waters during the summer months.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass, often called "stripers" by local anglers, are anadromous fish that can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater environments. They're highly respected for their fighting strength, size potential, and delicious white meat, making them a top target for both recreational and commercial fisheries.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
These fish inhabit coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, and lakes along the Atlantic coastline. In Hingham, MA, stripers are commonly found around rocky shorelines, jetties, river mouths, and deeper channels where currents create feeding opportunities. They prefer areas with structure that concentrates baitfish, particularly during tidal movements.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length and can weigh between 10 and 81 pounds. The 32-inch specimen caught on our recent charter represents a quality fish, though trophy-sized stripers exceeding 40 inches are possible in these waters during prime conditions.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
Stripers are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on small fish like herring, menhaden, mackerel, and sand eels. They also consume crustaceans and squid when available. They often hunt in schools, trapping baitfish against structure or the surface. Dawn and dusk typically offer peak feeding periods, though tidal movement often dictates activity more than time of day.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
In the Northeast, Striped Bass typically spawn in freshwater rivers during spring when water temperatures reach 60-65°F. After spawning, many migrate to coastal waters where they remain through summer and fall. In Hingham waters during August, we typically encounter fish that have completed their spawning run and are actively feeding to regain condition.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
For Hingham stripers, three primary techniques prove most effective. Live or chunk bait (mackerel, herring, or menhaden) works well when fishing deeper structure. Casting artificial lures like swimming plugs, soft plastics, or metal jigs produces when fish are actively feeding near the surface or along shorelines. Trolling with tube-and-worm rigs or umbrella rigs allows covering water efficiently. In August around Hingham, focusing on tidal rips and channel edges during moving tides often produces the best results.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass offers excellent table fare with firm, white, flaky meat that's mild in flavor with a slightly sweet finish. It's versatile for cooking methods including grilling, baking, or pan-searing. The flesh is high in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. However, due to conservation efforts and potential contaminants in some waters, many anglers practice catch-and-release for larger breeding fish, keeping only mid-sized specimens when harvesting for the table.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Striped Bass in Hingham?
A: Live mackerel, herring, and menhaden are top natural baits. For artificials, soft plastic swimbaits in 6-9 inch sizes, topwater plugs at dawn/dusk, and metal jigs all produce well depending on conditions.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near Hingham?
A: Focus on rocky shorelines, harbor entrances, channel edges where depth changes occur, and areas with current that concentrates baitfish. The waters around Boston Harbor Islands and Hingham Bay hold stripers throughout summer.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass is excellent table fare with firm, white flesh that's mild and slightly sweet. It's versatile for various cooking methods and rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
Q: When is the best time to catch Striped Bass in Hingham?
A: The prime season runs from May through October, with August and September offering consistent action. Focus on moving tides, particularly the first few hours of an incoming or outgoing tide.
Q: What size Striped Bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
A: Massachusetts regulations require Striped Bass to be between 28-31 inches for harvest (slot limit). Always check current regulations before fishing as they can change seasonally.
Q: Do I need a fishing license for Striped Bass in Massachusetts?
A: Yes, anglers need a Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Permit. However, when fishing on a licensed charter boat like Blueline Fishing Charters, the vessel's permit covers clients.
