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Landed a Striped Bass Inshore in Hingham
Striped Bass Fishing in Hingham
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Striped Bass are one of the most sought-after gamefish along the Atlantic coast, prized for their fighting ability and excellent taste. These fish are easily identified by their distinctive horizontal black stripes running from gill to tail along a silvery-white to olive-green body. - Stripers can live up to 30 years in the wild. - They're anadromous fish, spawning in freshwater but living mostly in saltwater. - The current world record is 81 pounds, caught in Connecticut in 2011.
Fishing Charter by Captain David Horte in August
Meet your Captain David Horte
- Top Fishing Charter in Hingham, MA
Summary
Join us for an action-packed Striped Bass fishing charter in Hingham, MA this Saturday July with Blueline Fishing Charters. Captain David Horte knows exactly where to find quality Striped Bass in Boston Harbor's productive waters. We'll use a variety of techniques including surf casting along the shoreline, trolling to cover more water, and effective bottom fishing to maximize your chances of landing these hard-fighting gamefish. Our 5-hour inshore trips provide the perfect balance of fishing time and comfort, making them suitable for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're a local looking for a quality day on the water or a visitor wanting to experience Massachusetts' premier inshore fishing, we'll put you on the fish when the summer bite is at its peak.
Fishing Charter with David Horte – Rates & Booking
Captain David Horte of Blueline Fishing Charters on Saturday July offers a 5-hour inshore fishing experience departing from Boston. Our trips are designed to put you on quality Striped Bass using various techniques tailored to the day's conditions. All necessary fishing equipment is provided, including quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle. As a licensed guide with extensive knowledge of Boston Harbor's waters, Captain David ensures a productive and safe day on the water. Our 5 Hr – Inshore Boston Pickup package accommodates small groups, making it perfect for family outings or friends looking to enjoy a personalized fishing experience. To secure your spot, we recommend booking in advance, especially during peak summer months when Striped Bass fishing is at its best.
Highlights of Inshore Boston Pickup
Our recent trip with Donald and his crew showcases what you can expect on the water with Blueline Fishing Charters. Setting out early under partly cloudy skies created perfect conditions for targeting Striped Bass in Hingham's inshore waters. We employed multiple fishing techniques throughout the day, starting with surf casting along productive shorelines before switching to trolling to cover more territory. Bottom fishing proved particularly effective, resulting in a solid 19-inch Striped Bass catch.
Summer fishing in Hingham offers consistent action for anglers of all experience levels. The varied approaches we use keep the day interesting and increase your chances of success. Whether you're new to fishing or an experienced angler, our adaptable methods ensure everyone on board has opportunities to hook into the hard-fighting Stripers that make Boston Harbor famous among New England fishing enthusiasts.
Local Species Insights: Striped Bass
Striped Bass are the premier gamefish in the Hingham area, known for their powerful fights and excellent table fare. During summer months, these fish can be found throughout Boston Harbor, often congregating around structure, channel edges, and areas with good tidal flow. Water temperature plays a crucial role in locating Stripers, with the fish typically preferring temperatures between 55-68°F.
When targeting Striped Bass in Hingham waters, we focus on three proven techniques: surf casting with plugs and soft plastics during early morning hours, trolling tube and worm rigs along depth changes, and jigging or bottom fishing with live bait near structure. The summer pattern typically involves finding bass feeding on schools of baitfish, particularly during morning and evening tide changes. Watching for birds working over bait is a telltale sign of feeding Stripers below—something we're always scanning for during our charters.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our fishing charters depart early morning to take advantage of prime feeding times. We recommend wearing comfortable, layered clothing and bringing sun protection, as weather conditions can change throughout the day on the water. A small cooler for beverages is welcome, and we provide ice for your catch. Our vessel is equipped with safety gear and electronics to locate fish effectively. Seasickness can be prevented with over-the-counter medication taken before departure if you're prone to motion sickness. For the best experience, arrive 15 minutes before departure time at our designated Boston pickup location, which we'll provide upon booking.
Fishing in Boston: Striped Bass
The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) belongs to the Moronidae family and Perciformes order. Distinguished by its seven to eight dark horizontal stripes running along silvery sides, this iconic gamefish is the crown jewel of Hingham's summer fishing scene. In July, Hingham waters host these powerful predators as they patrol the coastline looking for baitfish schools.
Striped Bass Overview
Striped Bass are anadromous fish, meaning they spawn in freshwater but spend most of their lives in saltwater environments. Highly prized by recreational anglers for their strong fights and excellent table fare, Stripers represent one of the most economically important sportfish along the Atlantic coast. Their population has rebounded significantly following conservation efforts in the 1980s and 1990s.
Striped Bass Habitat and Distribution
Found primarily along the Atlantic coast from the St. Lawrence River to northern Florida, with introduced populations on the Pacific coast. Around Hingham and Boston Harbor, Striped Bass frequent rocky shorelines, jetties, river mouths, and channels with strong current flow. They prefer water temperatures between 55-68°F and will move to find their comfort zone as seasons change.
Striped Bass Size and Weight
Striped Bass typically range from 20 to 55 inches in length, with weights varying from 10 to 81 pounds. Most recreational catches in the Hingham area average 24-36 inches and 8-25 pounds, though larger specimens are certainly possible, especially during prime summer months.
Striped Bass Diet and Behavior
These opportunistic predators feed primarily on smaller fish like menhaden, herring, mackerel, and sand eels. They also consume crustaceans, worms, and even small lobsters. Stripers typically feed most actively during dawn and dusk periods, particularly during tide changes when baitfish are disoriented by shifting currents.
Striped Bass Spawning Season
Spawning occurs in freshwater from April to June, with most Massachusetts fish traveling to the Hudson or Chesapeake Bay systems to reproduce. Water temperatures between 60-67°F trigger spawning behavior. After spawning, adult fish migrate back to coastal waters where they can be found feeding heavily throughout the summer months in places like Hingham Harbor.
Striped Bass Fishing Techniques
Three primary methods prove effective in Hingham waters. Live bait fishing with mackerel or pogies (menhaden) produces consistent results, especially during slack tides. Casting artificial lures like swimming plugs, soft plastic jigs, and topwater poppers works well during active feeding periods, particularly at dawn and dusk. Trolling umbrella rigs or tube-and-worm combinations along depth contours and structure edges is highly productive when fish are scattered. In July, anglers around Hingham find success targeting drop-offs and channel edges where cooler water concentrates both baitfish and Stripers.
Striped Bass Is It Good to Eat?
Striped Bass offers excellent table fare with firm, white flesh that holds well to various cooking methods. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's less fishy than many other species. Grilling, baking, or broiling with simple seasonings best highlights its natural taste. Rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, Striper is also nutritious, though larger specimens may contain higher mercury levels, so consumption advisories should be observed.
Striped Bass Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Striped Bass?
A: Live bait produces consistently excellent results, with live mackerel, menhaden (pogies), and eels being top choices in Hingham waters. Fresh chunked bait from these same species also works well, especially when fishing deeper structure or during slower feeding periods.
Q: Where can I find Striped Bass near Hingham?
A: Productive areas include the rocky shorelines around World's End, the channels near Hingham Harbor, Rainsford Island structure, and the edges of Hull Gut. The western side of Peddocks Island and the area around Grape Island also hold fish, particularly during moving tides.
Q: Is Striped Bass good to eat?
A: Yes, Striped Bass is considered excellent table fare with mild, sweet white flesh that's versatile for various cooking methods. Smaller to mid-sized fish (under 30 inches) generally taste best, with larger specimens sometimes having a stronger flavor.
Q: When is the best time to catch Striped Bass?
A: In Hingham, the prime season runs from late May through October, with July and August offering consistent action. Daily, the first few hours of daylight and the last hours before sunset produce the most active feeding, especially when these times coincide with tide changes.
Q: What size Striped Bass can I keep in Massachusetts?
A: Massachusetts regulations currently require Striped Bass to be between 28-35 inches to harvest (slot limit). Always check current regulations before fishing as they're subject to change to protect the fishery.
Q: What tackle should I use for Striped Bass?
A: Medium to medium-heavy spinning or conventional tackle with 20-40 pound test line works well for most Hingham fishing situations. Seven to nine-foot rods provide good casting distance while maintaining enough backbone to control powerful fish.
