Hybrid Striped Bass

[theangler]

[size 1]In an effort to help each other get on the fish, we will be adding a series of posts entitled by the type of fishing we are targeting and would like all users who wish to include their "favorite way to catch these fish", "favorite spots" (doesn't have to be exact), "favorite guides for these fish", "tackle tips", "recommended tackle", "beginner tips", "boating techniques" or any other information you feel would be helpful to other anglers targeting this type of fish.[/size]
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[byrumjr]

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A hybrid striped bass is a cross between a male white bass and a female striper. It cannot reproduce. Like the striped bass, the hybrid striper has a silvery-white body with distinctive dark lateral lines. The lines along the belly of a hybrid are broken, whereas a true striper's lines are unbroken. Hybrid bass withstand higher water temperatures and poorer water quality than striped bass, which makes them better suited to a number of impoundments and rivers. They also are aggressive, easy to catch and hard-fighting.

Hybrids tend to stay and feed shallower than stripers, a trait they get from the white bass side of the family. Hybrids feel right at home roaming open mid-lake waters in search of bait. Underwater points, humps and sloping bottoms near deep creek or river channels are good bets for hybrids in the summer and winter. When the fish are not feeding over bottom structures, look for them suspended over creek and river channels, usually beneath schools of baitfish. In rivers, hybrids are especially fond of tailwaters and often frequent the heads of islands, stream confluences and industrial and municipal water discharges.

Threadfin shad, gizzard shad and herring comprise the main forage for hybrids in most waters. Hybrids have small mouths in relation to their bodies and prefer smaller forage than stripers, typically 4- to 6-inch fish. They may move several miles from day to day. Early and late in the day, they frequently come up for surface-feeding frenzies.

LINE

When live bait fishing in clear-water impoundments, it may be necessary to drop down to 10-pound monofilament to tempt line-shy hybrids. In most other live bait and lure situations, 15-pound monofilament better holds up to these powerful fish.

BAITCASTING

Baitcasting tackle capably handles the baits, lures and lines frequently employed when hybrid fishing. A reel that features a clicker alarm helps when fishing live bait. Whatever the reel, the drag must work smoothly.

Baitcasting tackle is more difficult to cast than spinning, because you must teach your thumb to brake the revolving spool as it pays out line. Fail to do so and the spool overruns the line, creating a nasty tangle. It takes practice to properly educate your thumb, but the effort is well worth it.

Any hybrid rod should have a long handle that provides needed leverage when battling these powerful fish. A 7 1/2- to 8-foot medium action rod does a nice job of serving up live bait in lakes. A rod of the same length with a medium-heavy action is better suited to most hybrid lures.

SPINNING

Heavy freshwater and light saltwater spinning outfits are needed to handle the lines, lures and live bait rigs commonly used for freshwater hybrids. In tailwater areas, a 10- to 12-foot (or longer) surfcasting outfit can reach out and put you in touch with distant hybrids. Be sure the drag is set properly and working smoothly.[/size][/font]
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