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World-Class Striped Bass Fishing in Penobscot Bay

  • Published Date: August 19, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Maine
  • $500 - $3,500 price range

Summary

Spend a day on the water with Black Stream Outfitters, chasing striped bass in Maine's scenic Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Harbor. These 4- to 6-hour trips are perfect for anglers of all skill levels, from seasoned pros to families trying fishing for the first time. You'll head out in the morning or afternoon, using top-notch gear provided by your guide. No need to worry about tackle or bait – it's all taken care of. The crew includes a mate who's there to help you cast, hook fish, and land your catch. They'll even clean your fish at the end of the day. With room for up to 6 guests, it's a great way to enjoy some time on the water with friends or family. Don't forget to bring a camera to capture the coastal views and, hopefully, some impressive stripers. Cold drinks are on board to keep you refreshed while you fish. It's a laid-back yet productive day on some of Maine's best inshore fishing grounds.
World-Class Striped Bass Fishing in Penobscot Bay

Stripers on the Line

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Trophy smallmouth from clear water

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Perfect morning for gobblers

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Angler with a fishing rod at Glenburn

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Striped Bass Bonanza in Penobscot Bay

Get ready to chase some of Maine's hardest-fighting fish on this action-packed striped bass charter. We'll be cruising the productive waters of Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Harbor, where the stripers stack up thick during the season. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, our experienced crew will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it. With top-notch gear provided and plenty of cold drinks in the cooler, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a lucky hat.

What to Expect on the Water

Our trips run 4 to 6 hours, giving you plenty of time to get your fill of striped bass action. We offer both morning and afternoon charters, so you can pick the time that works best for you. The beauty of fishing Penobscot Bay is the variety – one minute we might be working a rocky shoreline, the next we could be drifting over a deep channel or casting into schools of bait. Our captains know these waters like the back of their hand, so we'll always be on the move to find the hot bite. And don't worry if you're new to this – our mate will be right there to help you bait up, make the perfect cast, and land that trophy striper when it decides to hit.

Gear and Techniques

We provide all the quality rods and reels you'll need to tackle the hard-fighting stripers of Penobscot Bay. Depending on conditions, we might be chunking bait, tossing lures, or even fly fishing if that's your thing. The key to success here is versatility. Some days the bass want a slow-rolled jig, other times they're blasting topwater plugs. We always have a range of options on board, from soft plastics to live eels when the bite is tough. Our crew stays on top of the latest patterns and will clue you in on what's working. And hey, if you've got a favorite lure you want to try, bring it along – sometimes that's the ticket to the biggest fish of the day.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

"Solid hard work and all around good people. You won't be dissatisfied." - John

Species You'll Want to Hook

Striped Bass: These are the stars of the show in Penobscot Bay, and for good reason. Stripers are known for their powerful runs and acrobatic fights, making them a favorite among anglers. In Maine waters, you can expect to tangle with fish ranging from schoolies in the 20-inch range all the way up to trophy-sized cows pushing 40 inches or more. The best part? They're here in good numbers from late spring through early fall.

Stripers are structure-oriented fish, which means we'll be targeting them around rocky points, channel edges, and areas with strong current. They're opportunistic feeders, so one day they might be keyed in on small baitfish like sand eels, while the next they could be crushing larger prey like mackerel or herring. This variety keeps things interesting and challenges anglers to adapt their techniques.

What makes striped bass fishing in Penobscot Bay so special is the setting. You're surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Maine coast, with islands, lighthouses, and maybe even the occasional seal or porpoise making an appearance. And when you hook into a big striper and feel that first powerful run, trust me, you'll be hooked for life.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, if you're looking for a day on the water you won't forget, this striped bass charter in Penobscot Bay is the ticket. We've got the knowledge, the gear, and the prime fishing grounds to make it happen. Whether you're bringing the family for a fun day out or you're dead set on landing that personal best striper, we've got you covered. The season's prime and the bass are biting, so don't wait to lock in your date. Give us a call, and let's get you out on the bay where the action is. Just remember – once you experience the thrill of a Maine striper crushing your lure, you might find yourself planning your next trip before we even hit the dock. See you on the water!

Customer Review

Good Folks Deliver

quotes

Solid hard work and all around good people. You won’t be dissatisfied.

JG
John Gibbs

September 12, 2021

Learn more about the specie

Striped Bass

Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) Description

The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), or Atlantic Striped Bass, Stripers, or Linesider, is a popular game fish for recreational and commercial fishers. As the name suggests, it has seven to eight stripes running down the sides of its body; its color can vary from light green and olive to brown and black. It also has a shimmering white belly and plump bodies that can grow as heavy as 70 pounds and as long as 5 feet, making it easily distinguishable from other species. 

Although this fish mostly lives in saltwater during its adult life, it’s anadromous as it spawns (and is even known to adapt well) in a freshwater environment.

It can naturally be found along the East Coast (from as far north as Canada to down south in the Gulf of Mexico). However, you can find it in most water bodies in North America as the species was introduced across the continent for recreational fishing and for controlling the gizzard shad population, which the Striped Bass is known to prey upon.

Interesting Facts 

Striped Bass spawn in freshwater and many of the Stripers become landlocked because of dams and other human-made obstructions; but, as earlier mentioned, they adapt well and can thrive in a freshwater habitat. 

If you’re fishing for food, the Striped Bass is excellent for eating not only for its plump and meaty body but also for its exquisite, sweet taste, similar to its close relative, the Black Sea Bass.

Striped Bass Size and Speed

For those of you who are planning to fish for this species, yes, they are known to be powerful swimmers, but they’re not particularly fast, making them reasonably easy to catch. Although they can grow much bigger, most caught weigh around twenty to forty pounds. 

Where do Striped Bass Live?

You can fish for Striped Bass pretty much any time of the year and can find them in nearly every body of water in the United States. It’s also worth noting that the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is the major producer while the Hudson River in New York and New Jersey is the second. 

However, if you’re on the West Coast, you may want to try your luck in the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding coastline. Colorado rivers and lakes such as Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Lake Pleasant, and Lake Mohave are also known to have a great abundance of Striped Bass. 

Striped Bass is a structure-oriented fish meaning they can be found around physical structures such as coral reefs, sand bars, and drop-offs. They stay at the bottom of the ocean along the shores as it looks for food.  And because they love to swim in moving waters, you can most locate Stripers within yards of the shorelines.

Striped Bass Migration

One of the most exciting aspects of striped bass is their annual migration patterns. These fish are known to migrate long distances, sometimes thousands of miles, which makes them a fascinating subject for study. Striped bass prefers moderate temperatures between 55° F and 68° F. To stay within this temperature range, most striped bass migrate up and down the Atlantic coast from spring to fall. 
Scientists have been studying striped bass migration for many years, and they have discovered that these fish travel from estuaries to the open ocean and back again each year. Striped bass can migrate up to 2,000 miles during their lifetime! They typically move northward in the spring and summer months when water temperatures warm up, then head south towards warmer waters in the fall.

Striped Bass or Striper
A Striped Bass Close Up

The spring striped bass migration begins from the deeper waters off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. In the spring, the stripers start their northern migration stopping to spawn in the rivers, estuaries, and bays such as the Delaware River, the Hudson River, and the Chesapeake Bay. The Stripers continue north and eventually spend their summers in the cool waters in New England, and sometimes further North to Canada. 

The striper migration bait typically begins in the fall as the water cools. If you want to experience this unique opportunity, you'll want to head for one of the most amazing events that an angler can experience. Striper bait, including pogies, peanut bunker, and silversides, will come out of bays and into the ocean early. The hungry stripers want to fatten up for the cold season as winter approaches, so they're actively searching out prey. Stripers seek out the enhanced bait pods that create feeding frenzies. Look for baitfish volcanoes erupting from the water or birds signaling the wounded baitfish. If you are truly fortunate, you will see whales coming from below the baitfish volcano. Fall migration continues all the way until December around the New Jersey coast and parts of January in the Virginia region.

Check out this detailed Striped Bass Migration article. 

Is Striped Bass Good to Eat?

Striped bass, also known as "striper," is a popular saltwater fish that can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America. Many people wonder if striped bass is good to eat, and the answer is yes! Striped bass is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that can benefit your health. 

One of the benefits of eating striped bass is its high omega-3 content. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that help reduce inflammation in the body, improve brain function, and even lower your risk of heart disease. Striper meat contains about 0.5 grams of omega-3s per 100 grams, making it an excellent nutrient source. Additionally, striped bass is rich in protein - a crucial component for building and repairing tissues in your body. A serving size of just 100 grams provides approximately 20 grams of protein.

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Striped Bass

Striped Bass can be caught year-round and in almost any condition; you can, however, increase your chances if you know exactly what, when, where, and how to look. Stripers are known to swim around and feed in moving waters, near structures along the shores, and you will find them where the water is cooler near the surface during dusk and dawn.  Cast your lines out early or late in the day from bridges, piers, bulkheads, or even while wading in the surf.

Choosing the Right Bait

Striped Bass are mostly finicky predators being picky about the baits they will take. It’s best to use live baits such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, anchovies, bloodworms, or shad as it will help attract them with the live bait’s movement.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Although you can use almost any rod and reel for Striped Bass fishing, you can be more successful using rods that are 8 to 14 feet in length, especially for fly fishing.  You should use a thinner and more sensitive yet stronger line with little stretch like a  braided line. If you prefer using the monofilament type, make sure that it’s strong enough to withstand up to 20 pounds of weight as these fish are not only big, heavy fish, but also strong fighters.

Find fishing tips, techniques, and the best destinations for Striped Bass Fishing

Why are Striped Bass Called Striper?

Striped bass, or Morone saxatilis, is a popular game fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America. It is widely known as "striper," which begs the question: Why do they call striped bass striper? The answer to this question lies in the distinct markings on the fish's body. 
The name "striped bass" comes from its characteristic stripes running along its sides. These stripes are typically seven to eight in number and run from just behind the gills to the base of the tail. When viewed from afar, these stripes can appear like bars or lines that make up a striped pattern on their silver-green skin.

Given that this species has such distinctive vertical stripes, it makes sense why they are called stripers. The name has become so widely used among anglers and fishing enthusiasts that it is now more common than calling them by their scientific name.

What is the Hybrid Striped Bass?

Hybrid striped bass is a popular fish species among anglers and seafood enthusiasts. As the name suggests, it's a crossbreed between two different types of bass: striped and white. The hybridization process has resulted in a fish with desirable traits such as rapid growth, aggressiveness, and resistance to diseases and parasites. 

Hybrid striped bass can grow up to 30 inches in length and weigh as much as 15 pounds. They have streamlined bodies with dark stripes running along their sides, which give them an attractive appearance. Moreover, these fish are known for their delicious taste and versatility in cooking methods.

Due to its popularity, hybrid striped bass is widely farmed across several regions in the United States. It's commonly used by chefs in various dishes such as sushi rolls, grilled fillets, or stews.

Striped Bass Population

The wild striped bass population is an essential aspect of marine fisheries conservation efforts. Striped bass are a popular game fish that attract recreational anglers from all over the world. Stripers also play an essential role in the natural resources ecosystem in the Atlantic Ocean and the many tributaries like Delaware Bay, Delaware River, Hudson River, and many coastal rivers.  Striped bass are a top predator in many coastal habitats, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans. 

Unfortunately, the striped bass population has been under pressure for several decades due to overfishing and habitat loss. One of the primary conservation efforts underway is the implementation of regulations aimed at protecting striped bass populations from overfishing. This includes restrictions on fishing methods and gear, as well as limitations on catch limits for both recreational and commercial fishermen. Additionally, many states have implemented size limits for the fish that can be caught to allow younger fish to reach their reproductive age.

Despite these efforts, the future of the striped bass population remains uncertain. Climate change is causing significant shifts in ocean temperatures and currents that could impact the availability of prey species for striped bass.

A Few Striped Bass Resources:

-Striped Bass Migration, article tracking the Striped Bass Atlantic Coast migration

-Striped Bass Lures, expert guides weigh in with the best striped bass lures

-Striped Bass Bait, top 10 striped bass baits

-Striped Bass Cape Cod, expert guide talks about catching striped bass on Cape Cod 

-Striped Bass Chesapeake Bay, expert guides talk about catching striped bass on Chesapeake Bay

 

Striped Bass

Striped Bass

About the Duck boat

Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 50

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 250

Hop aboard for a laid-back day of striped bass fishing in Maine's scenic Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Harbor. Our 4-6 hour charters cater to anglers of all levels, whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time casting a line. We'll provide quality rods, reels, and all the gear you need to reel in some stripers. Bring the whole family - we can accommodate up to 6 guests per trip. Choose a morning or afternoon outing that fits your schedule. Our experienced mate will be on hand to help with everything from baiting hooks to landing your catch. We've got cold drinks in the cooler to keep you refreshed. At the end of a fun day on the water, we'll even clean your fish for you. Don't forget to tip the mate if you enjoyed the trip! Book your spot now for some relaxed fishing in one of Maine's most beautiful coastal areas.
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