Striped Bass Fishing Massachusetts
The Iconic New England Chase: Striped Bass
There is no fish that defines the heritage of the Atlantic coast quite like the Striped Bass. Since 1999, Mass Bay Guides has been at the forefront of striped bass fishing charters in Massachusetts, chasing these migratory titans from the first spring warming of the North River to the frantic fall blitzes off Minot’s Light.
Our family-run operation has lived and breathed the striper season for years. If you are looking for the best striped bass fishing Massachusetts has to offer, check out Mass Bay Guides in Scituate! Whether you are a local angler or visiting from across the country, hunting for trophy stripers is an essential New England experience.
We offer 5hr, 8hr, and 10hr trips!
Why Scituate, MA is the Epicenter of Striped Bass
When you look at a map of striped bass fishing Massachusetts hotspots, Scituate sits in a geographically perfect “Golden Triangle.” To our north, we have the rocky ledges and submerged boulders that hold massive “resident” fish all summer long. To our south, the expansive flats and estuary systems of the North and South Rivers provide a nursery for baitfish and a playground for light-tackle enthusiasts.
Leaving from Scituate Harbor gives us a massive tactical advantage; we can pivot our strategy in minutes based on where the tide, the birds, and the bait are moving. Because we are on the water every single day, we know exactly when the big migratory fish are passing through our front yard on their way north.
“Bending the Rod” on Light Tackle
While many boats in the region rely on heavy trolling lead and wire lines, our philosophy at Mass Bay Guides is centered on the “sport” of the catch. We specialize in light tackle striped bass fishing because we want you to feel every head-shake, every run, and every “thump” on the line.
- The Gear: We rig our boats with high-performance Penn spinning and conventional reels that are sensitive and as light as possible for the situation. This setup allows for precise casting and, more importantly, a fair fight between the angler and the fish.
Mastering the Techniques: Live Bait vs. Artificials
Massachusetts Bay presents a new puzzle every day…
- Fresh Bait: Often, the secret to a trophy fish is starting the morning by “making bait.” We’ll hunt for schools of fresh Mackerel or Menhaden (Pogies). There is nothing quite like “live-lining” a fresh Mackerel into a rip and watching your line scream off the reel as a monster bass inhales it.
- Topwater Explosions: For the visual thrill-seeker, there is nothing that compares to a surface blitz. Watching a 30-pound bass explode on a “doc” or a popper is a sight that never gets old. We keep the light tackle rigged and ready for these moments of chaos.
- The Trolling Game: Covering water is a must most days. We troll 2-5 knots in search of large biomasses of fish. We catch some of our biggest striped bass trolling deep divers and other artificial lures.
The “Uninvited” Guests: Bluefish and Sharks
While the goal is often the striped bass, the waters of Mass Bay are incredibly diverse. It’s very common to encounter aggressive bluefish—the “yellow-eyed devils” of the sea. These fish fight pound-for-pound harder than almost anything else inshore and provide a thrilling challenge on light tackle. Additionally, during the warmer months, we occasionally see the “uninvited” guests from the deep: sharks. It isn’t rare to have a blue shark, mako, or white shark take an interest in our bass.
The Family Striper Tradition
Striped bass are the ultimate species for family fishing in Massachusetts because we often fish within sight of the shore, the waters are generally calmer, making it an ideal environment for kids (12+) and newcomers. We take great pride in teaching the next generation of anglers how to cast, and how to properly handle a fish for a “photo and release”.
A Season of Stripers (Mid May – Early September)
- The Spring Run (May-June): The arrival of the “schoolies” and the first big migratory fish. This is high-energy fishing with lots of surface action. We can also encounter some early season jumbo migrating bass.
- The Summer Grind (July-August): When the water warms up we focus on the deeper ledges, outer mouths of the rivers, the rocks, etc. We troll, live-line mackerel this time of year. We do have a lot of encounters with bluefish this time of year too.
- The Fall Blitz (Early September): The fish are fattening up for the trip south. This is the most intense action of the year, with birds diving and fish boiling on the surface (not everyday). We have a lot of fun on light gear.
Join the Mass Bay Guides Family
If you’re looking for an authentic, professional, and laid-back striped bass fishing charters in Massachusetts, you’ve found it. Come see why we’ve been the trusted name in Scituate for over a quarter-century.