Inshore Hatteras · Pamlico Sound
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis · also called Striper, Rockfish
Cold-water bruisers. December and January light up if you can stand the weather.
Striped bass run inshore when the water cools. From late November through February they can be reached from the inlet, sometimes pushing well up into the sound. The big ones are December and January.
It's winter fishing, which means bundling up. The payoff is heavy. A 30-inch striper on light tackle is a memorable fight.
Live bait drifted in current is reliable. Trolling Stretch plugs when the water's cold and the sun is up. Bucktails to a busted-up school of bait when the right conditions stack up.
When to book
Striped Bass season at a glance.
Book a striped bass trip
Target striped bass with Captain Doug.
Half-day or full-day. Out of Teach's Lair, Hatteras NC. Call Doug to confirm peak-season dates.
More target species
