Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Also called Striper, Rockfish.
How to tell it
7–8 unbroken dark stripes on silver; two separated dorsal fins.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16 in total length minimum | 2 per person | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Connecticut | 28" to <31" slot | 1 per angler | Open year-roundCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 28–31 in · Jul–Aug in the Bay/River: 20–24 in | 1 per person | Depends on whereDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Check |
| Florida (Atlantic) | Depends on where | 20 combined · north and west of the Suwannee: 3 striped | Open all yearFWC 2026 · checked | Check |
| Florida (Gulf) | Depends on where | 20 combined · north and west of the Suwannee: 3 striped | Open all yearFWC 2026 · checked | Check |
| Georgia | 22 in min · Savannah River: 27 in | 2 per person | Open year-roundGA DNR, Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-3-.05(4)-(5) · checked | Check |
| Maine | 28-31" TL slot | 1 per day | Open year-round statewide; Kennebec watershed (Kennebec/Sheepscot/Androscoggin & tributaries) open Jul 1-Nov 30, closed Dec 1-Jun 30 with catch-and-release single-hook artificial-lure season May 1-Jun 30ME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | Bay: 19–24 in · ocean and coastal bays: 28–31 in | 1 per person | Depends on whereMD DNR 2026 · checked | Check |
| Massachusetts | 28" to less than 31" slot | 1 fish | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | 28 to less than 31 in TL slot | 1 fish/day | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 28 to under 31 in | 1 per person | Depends on whereNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Check |
| New York | 28–31 in · Hudson above the GWB: 23–28 in | 1 per person | Apr 15–Dec 15 · Hudson: Apr 1–Nov 30NY DEC 2026 · checked | Check |
| North Carolina | Depends on where | Ocean only: 1 fish, 28–31 in | Ocean open · inside waters closedNC DMF 2026 · checked | Check |
| Rhode Island | 28" to <31" slot | 1/person/day | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 26 in min · Santee system: 23–25 in slot · lower Savannah: 27 in | 3 per day · lower Savannah: 2 per day | Depends on where · most rivers closed Jun 16–Sep 30SC Code 50-13-230, 50-5-1556 · checked | Check |
| Texas | 18 in total length | 5 (striped bass and hybrids in any combination) | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | Bay: 19–24 in · ocean: 28–31 in | 1 per person | Depends on whereVMRC 2026 · checked | Check |
Not specifically regulated in Louisiana, Mississippi: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 55 lb | 1976 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Connecticut | 81 lb 15 oz | 2011 · Outer Southwest Reef | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 52 lb | 2012 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 43.56 lb | 2004 · Indian River | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 67 lb | 1978 · Sheepscot River | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 67.5 lb | 1995 · Bloody Point | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 73 lb | 1981 · Nauset Beach (three-way tie: Quick's Hole 1913, Sow & Pigs 1967) | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Hampshire | 60 lb | 1980 · Great Bay, Dover | NH Fish & Game Verified Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New York | 76 lb | 1981 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 64 lb | 2011 · Off Oregon Inlet | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Rhode Island | 77 lb 6.4 oz | 2011 · Block Island | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 46 lb 13 oz | 1993 · Combahee River | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 28 lb | 1991 · Galveston Bay | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 74 lb | 2012 · Off Virginia Beach | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
How anglers catch it
Live eels or bunker along the rips, plugs and plastics from the surf, a bucktail bounced on the bottom in the current.
On the table
Excellent.
In the app
Point the camera at a striped bass and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about striped bass
What is the size limit for striped bass?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 16 in total length minimum; Connecticut: 28" to <31" slot; Delaware: 28–31 in · Jul–Aug in the Bay/River: 20–24 in; Florida (Atlantic): Depends on where; Florida (Gulf): Depends on where; Georgia: 22 in min · Savannah River: 27 in; Maine: 28-31" TL slot; Maryland: Bay: 19–24 in · ocean and coastal bays: 28–31 in; and more in the table above.
How many striped bass can you keep?
Alabama: 2 per person; Connecticut: 1 per angler; Delaware: 1 per person; Florida (Atlantic): 20 combined · north and west of the Suwannee: 3 striped; Florida (Gulf): 20 combined · north and west of the Suwannee: 3 striped; Georgia: 2 per person; Maine: 1 per day; Maryland: 1 per person; and more in the table above.
When is striped bass season?
New York: Apr 15–Dec 15 · Hudson: Apr 1–Nov 30; Virginia: Depends on where.
How do you catch striped bass?
Live eels or bunker along the rips, plugs and plastics from the surf, a bucktail bounced on the bottom in the current. Methods: casting, live bait, trolling, bottom, fly. Baits: menhaden, eel, clam, mackerel, worm. Lures: soft plastic, swimbait, popper, diving plug, bucktail, fly.
What is the record striped bass?
81 lb 15 oz in Connecticut (2011), Outer Southwest Reef. Other states’ records are in the table.