Species / Striped Bass / California
Bass
Striped Bass Fishing in California
Striped bass migrate along the Atlantic coast and thrive landlocked in big reservoirs. Stripers chase baitfish in schools, often busting on the surface.
Best Months: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Striped Bass
6 picks for October.
Clouser Minnow #1/0-8
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyLefty's Deceiver #3/0-2
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Surface blitzes.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Live shad or herring.
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Rod & Reel
Striped Bass Setup
Striped Bass
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
California
Where to Catch Striped Bass
Rivers & Streams · California
American River
A Sacramento area river with spring shad, summer stripers, and winter steelhead.
Striped Bass · American Shad · Steelhead
Saltwater & Coast · California
San Francisco Bay
Striped bass from piers, flats, and the gates, plus staghorn and halibut.
Striped bass · Staghorn sculpin · California halibut
California
Shops to Stock Up
Recommended
Gear for Striped Bass
Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap
The classic lipless rattling crankbait for flats and schooling fish.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod
Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.
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Scientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line
Gets streamers down to fish holding deep in current.
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Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.
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Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod
A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Heddon Zara Spook
The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.
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Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ
A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.
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Spro Bucktail Jigs
Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.
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Saltwater Baitfish Fly Assortment
Clousers and Deceivers in sizes for stripers, snook, and reds.
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