Striped bass, Morone Saxatilis, are the most sought after and kept fish by east coast saltwater anglers.  They are caught all along the Maine coastline from beaches, jettys, boats, and riverbanks from June to September. Striped Bass are an anadromous fish.  Baits used are live, cut, surface plugs, sinking lures, spoons and variouse trolled gear. Striped bass are a popular sportfish in Maine. They are often fished for at night. The striper fishery starts in the early summer. The biggest stripers are caught in the fall, durring their southern migration.  Striped Bass can be found from N. Florida to the St. Lawrence estuary, and in freshwater bodies where they have been planted. 

Striped bass spawn when 2-4 years old (male) and 5-8 years old (female).  Striped bass spawn in brackish water of 10-24 degrees celcius.  In the Mid 1980's strict regulations were imposed.  These regulations were put in place from North Carolina to Maine in an effort to save the overfished population of spawning striped bass.  In 1995 the striped bass stocks were declared restored.  Many striped bass fishermen practice catch and release.

Striped bass have a white belly with latteral alternating black and white lines on their sides and a black back. Small "schoolies" are caught on surface plugs, particularly when in a feeding frenzy when bait fish have been forced to the surface. Striped bass feed mostly on menhaden and river herring.  Larger striped bass are found near baitfish as well, and may be slower to take a lure or hooked bait than the schoolies, which are faster.

Chumming for striped bass is done with ground fish, and is particularly effective in a river. Striped bass feed on Mackeral, Pollock, Herring, and Eels in Maine. Stripped bass are caught on fish immitations close to the size of the fish they are feeding on.

The Kennebec river is a popular Striped Bass river.

Blue/white and chartreuse/white clousers and deceivers are popular stipped bass flies. Trolling with a surgical tube rig baited with worm is a good way to catch stripped bass. Fishing for bass is done near structure in rivers and in estuaries and flats.