About
Striper
 Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Other names: Striper, rockfish, lineside
Status: Texas game fish
Description
The striped bass is the largest member of the sea bass
family, often called "temperate" or "true" bass to distinguish it from
species such as largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass which are actually members of the
sunfish family Centrarchidae. Although Morone is of unknown derivation, saxatilis
is Latin meaning "dwelling among rocks." As with other true basses, the dorsal
fin is clearly separated into spiny and soft-rayed portions. Striped bass are silvery,
shading to olive-green on the back and white on the belly, with seven or eight
uninterrupted horizontal stripes on each side of the body. Younger fish may resemble white
bass (Morone chrysops). However, striped bass have two distinct tooth patches on
the back of the tongue, whereas white bass have one tooth patch. Striped bass have two
sharp points on each gill cover, and white bass have one. Additionally, the second spine
on the anal fin is about half the length of the third spine in striped bass, and about
two-thirds the length of the third spine in white bass.
Angling Importance
Striped bass are the fourth most preferred species
among licensed Texas anglers. It is estimated that the economic impact of striper fishing
in the Lake Texoma area alone totals well in excess of $20 million. Stripers are often
captured using artificial lures that imitate small fish, such as silver spoons. Deep
running lures can also be effective, as may live bait, or cut bait. In Texas, stripers in
excess of 50 pounds have been landed. Although specimens exceeding 100 pounds have been
caught in saltwater, to date a 67.5-pounder was the largest individual reported from
inland waters.
Biology
The striped bass is anadromous, native to a variety of
habitats including shores, bays, and estuaries. In coastal populations, individuals may
ascend streams and travel as much as 100 miles inland to spawn. There are land-locked
populations that complete their entire life cycle in freshwater. These generally ascend
tributaries of the lakes or reservoirs where they spend their lives. Spawning begins in
the spring when water temperatures approach 60°F. Typically, one female is accompanied by
several males during the spawning act. Running water is necessary to keep eggs in motion
until hatching. In general, at least 50 miles of stream is required for successful
hatches. Stripers may reach a size of 10 to 12 inches during the first year. Males are
generally mature in two years, and females in three to four. Adults are primarily
piscivorous, feeding predominantly on members of the herring family such as gizzard shad
and threadfin shad. Alewife and glut herring are often found in their stomachs in the
northern states.
Distribution
The striped bass is a coastal species that moves
far upstream during spawning migrations in coastal rivers. The native range is along the
Atlantic coast east of the Appalachian Mountains from New Brunswick south to Florida and
west into Louisiana. The species has been introduced at scattered locations throughout the
central US. There have also been introductions as far west as the Colorado River in
Arizona, and at various sites in California. Although not native to Texas, the species has
been stocked in a number of reservoirs. Because stream flow is required for a successful
hatch, most reservoir populations are not self-sustaining and must be maintained through
stocking. One notable exception is Lake Texoma along the Red River in northeastern Texas. |
