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The Roccus Lineatus (striped bass)

Striped bass fishing reports and striper fishing tips from more than half a century ago.

(circa 1948)

The Roccus Lineatus, striped bass, or surf bass, or by whatever other numerous names they are known, are biting this season as they never did before. Big catches are being reported all along the Cape on both sides, and also at the Cape Cod Canal.

Cape Cod bass fishing is not a new sport as the New England philosopher Thoreau reported more than one hundred fifty years ago.

“In the summer I saw two men fishin for bass hereabouts. Their bait was a bullfrog, or several small frogs in a bunch, for want of squid. They followed a retiring wave, and whirling their lines round their head with increasing rapidity, threw them as far as they could into the sea; then retreating, sat down flat in the sand and waited for a bite.”

Today bass fishing along the coastline of Cape Cod and in the Cape Cod canal is a great and satisfying sport. The fish weigh up to 50 pounds and they are a mighty fine fish to eat, either baked, fried, broiled, or boiled.

There are ideas about the right kind of bait and tackle to use in catching the “stripers” as there are articulate fishermen. We know that “stripers” can be caught with nothing more than a hand line and a hook baited with almost any kind of fish. We also know that some of the successful fishermen use special rods and special bait. This sport can be followed by anyone regardless of the size of his pocketbook.

The following suggestions as to bait and equipment have been found to be sound: For surf casting, use the standard surf casting rod of bamboo or hollow steel, with long butt, free spool reel with capacity of at least 200 yards of nine or twelve-thread cuttyhunk. In surf casting you can use fresh baits such as small eels, squid, seaworms, herring. For artificials, lures range from the metal squids from three to five ounces to a great variety of other artificials such as muskie plugs, etc. Miscellaneous items are swivels, pyramid sinkers, short wire leaders, surf belt, polaroid glasses to help note the bars and deep holes. Best hook sizes are 5/0 to 7/0 O’Shaughnessy. A small knapsack is mighty handy. In spring or fall, you will want hip boots.

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