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General Information: Hybrid striped bass are a cross between white bass and striped bass, and pound-for-pound, one of the hardest fighting fish swimming in Ohio’s waters today. Currently, the Ohio Division of Wildlife is stocking Buckeye, Charles Mill, Dillon, East Fork, Griggs, Kiser, and O'Shaugnessy lakes, and the Ohio River. Hybrid striped bass can grow considerably larger than a white bass and are more tolerant of Ohio’s warm water than striped bass.
State Record: 17.68 pounds, 31 inches, Deer Creek Lake
Rosemary Shaver, Logan, Ohio
May 4, 2001
Fish Ohio Length: 21 inches
Tips:
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Use cast nets (link to regulations) to catch gizzard shad for bait.
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Hybrid striped bass hooking mortality increases greatly when water temperatures exceed 70oF. Increase survival on released fish by landing fish quickly, reducing handling time, keeping fish in the water as hook is removed, and cutting the line on deeply hooked fish. Try using a circle hook if using live bait.
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If you plan to keep some hybrid stripers, place them on ice to maintain flavor and firmness of their flesh. Remove all the dark reddish meat from the center line of the fillets to reduce the strong, fishy taste of larger fish.
Tackle: A long bait-casting or spinning rod (6 to 8-feet) outfit with some flex (medium to medium-heavy action) helps absorb the shock of a hybrid’s hard, initial strike and keeps the hooks from pulling out of the fish’s mouth. Reels should be spooled with 10 to 14-pound abrasion-resistant monofilament. The heavier lines should be used for river hybrid striped bass. Be sure to have your fishing rod firmly in your hand or hooked into the boat.
Regulations: See below
Reservoirs: Anglers fishing East Fork Lake can keep four fish over 15 inches daily. There are no daily or minimum size limits on other lakes.
Ohio River: The Ohio River is divided into an eastern and western zone, and harvest regulations differ between the two zones. In the Western zone (Ohio-Kentucky border) anglers can keep 30 hybrid striped bass per day, with only four fish over 15 inches. In the Eastern zone (Ohio-West Virginia border) there is no daily bag limit, but only four fish over 15 inches can be kept.
Where to go: the Ohio River and the following reservoirs
Seasonal Fishing Approaches:
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Season (Months)
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Spring
(March - April) |
Pre-summer (May)
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Summer
(June - mid-September) |
Fall
(mid-September - November) |
Winter
(December - February)
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Peak Activity
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Good |
Fair |
Good |
Good |
Fair – in lakes Good – in rivers near warm water discharges |
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Presentation
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In faster water (Ohio River tailwaters) use heavy spoons and jigs. In less current use imitation minnow baits and other crankbaits. |
Fish are hungry as they move back to lake or downstream areas. Try fishing baits at a variety of depths to locate fish. |
Live shad can be drift fished, trolled, fished below a balloon or float, or hung straight down on tightline. Other live or cut baits can be fished on bottom. Best fishing is dawn & dusk and overcast days. |
Cast spoons into schools of bait fish, troll shad-type crankbaits, cast flashy metal lures onto flats, or bottom fish cut bait or chicken livers. As water cools, fish will move shallower. |
Fish are in deeper water near river channels, humps, and tips of points. Vertical jig spoons & tail spinners. Use heavier baits based on current in Ohio River. |
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Location
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As water warms fish may undergo spawning movement into upstream areas, try creek mouths up to headwaters or lowhead dams, and below dams in tailwaters of lakes & rivers. |
As fish return to lake or move downstream try creek mouths, deep points, & shallow flats. |
Deep lakes are now stratified and fish stay above the warm/cold water interface (thermocline) where there is oxygen. Watch for fish breaking the surface chasing shad and try fishing the “jumps”. Fish points at creek mouths, underwater roadbeds, and humps in 10-15 feet near deeper water. |
Similar to spring, but watch for fish breaking the surface chasing shad. |
In lakes try deep points, & creek mouths, & below dams in tailwaters.
In the Ohio River, try warm-water discharges & tailwaters.
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