Striped Bass Season Out of Scituate
Striped bass fishing out of Scituate starts in mid-May. Mass Bay Guides gives a season of mid-May into early September, with striper trips running mid-May through the end of July and fish caught all season. Elizabeth Marie describes a run from mid-May into October. Harbor, ramp and conditions details are on the Scituate port page.
| Operator | Season as described |
|---|---|
| Mass Bay Guides | Mid-May into early September. Striper trips mid-May through end of July, fish caught all season. |
| Elizabeth Marie | Mid-May into October. |
For species background, see our striped bass guide. Migration along the coast is covered in the Northeast striper guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
Where Scituate Boats Run for Stripers
Boats from this port work ledges, rock piles, river mouths and bays. The main decision is which direction to run: north to the Hull ledges, south to the Three Bays, or out to the offshore banks. Chart layers show the ledges and rock piles off Scituate, but they are not for navigation.
The grounds below run from nearest to farthest:
- Minot’s Ledge and the "I Love You" light
- The North and South River mouths
- The Hull ledges
- The Three Bays
- Race Point in midsummer
- Offshore grounds
Minot’s Ledge and the "I Love You" Light
Minot’s Ledge lies off Scituate Neck and is marked by the "I Love You" light. Scituate boats run to the ledge and the light area for stripers. Live mackerel and other live bait suit this kind of structure; see the methods section below.
North and South River Mouths
The North and South River mouths are inshore grounds Scituate boats fish for stripers. Chunk bait with chum is a local approach here, covered under methods below.
The Hull Ledges (Harding’s, Thieves, Tobias, Enos)
Scituate boats run north to the Hull ledges for stripers: Harding’s, Thieves, Tobias and Enos.
The Three Bays (Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury)
The Three Bays are Plymouth, Kingston and Duxbury, the southern run option.
Race Point in Midsummer
Operators name Race Point as a striper and tuna ground. Scituate boats run there in midsummer.
Offshore Grounds: Stellwagen, Wildcat Knoll, Jeffreys, Platts Bank
One operator’s average offshore run to Stellwagen Bank is about 20 miles. Operators also name Wildcat Knoll, Jeffreys Ledge and Platts Bank / Three Dory Ledge as fishing grounds. Stone Ledge and Flatt Ledge are cod and haddock grounds.
Tuna and the other species these grounds are known for are covered in our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
How Stripers Are Fished Here
Four methods make up the local fishery, each matched to a kind of water.
| Method | Water it fits |
|---|---|
| Live-lining mackerel | Ledges and rock piles |
| Slow-trolling or drifting live bait | Ledges and rock piles |
| Topwater and trolling | Summer |
| Chunk bait chummed inshore | Inshore water |
Live-Lining Mackerel
Live-lining mackerel is used on ledges and rock piles, such as Minot’s Ledge and the Hull ledges. Mass Bay Guides fishes bait on circle hooks.
Slow-Trolling and Drifting Live Bait on Ledges
Slow-trolling or drifting live bait works the same structure, ledges and rock piles. Circle hooks apply to bait fished this way too.
Topwater and Trolling in Summer
Topwater and trolling are the summer methods locally.
Chunking and Chumming Inshore
Chunk bait chummed inshore is used in inshore water, such as the river mouths.
Charters and the South Shore Striper Tournament
Six Scituate operators list striped bass, and one tournament is the local striper event.
Charters
| Operator | Details |
|---|---|
| Mass Bay Guides in Scituate | Family-run since 1999. |
| Legit Fish Sportfishing | Captain Mark Rowell. |
| Elizabeth Marie Sport Fishing | Captain Rob Green. |
| Labrador Fishing Charters | Captain Don Campbell, 32-foot BHM vessel. |
| Polar Bear Charters | 38-foot sportfish with twin diesels, based at Mill Wharf Marina. |
| Go Get ‘Em Sportfishing | Listed for striped bass. |
South Shore Striper Tournament
The South Shore Striper Tournament is the local striper tournament, usually held in June.
FAQ: Striped Bass Out of Scituate
When is striped bass fishing out of Scituate in season?
Stripers are around Scituate from mid-May. Mass Bay Guides lists into early September, and Elizabeth Marie describes the run into October. Mass Bay Guides’ striper trips run mid-May through the end of July, with fish caught all season.
How far do Scituate boats run for stripers?
Boats run to Minot’s Ledge, the North and South River mouths, the Hull ledges, the Three Bays and, in midsummer, Race Point. One operator’s average offshore run to Stellwagen Bank is about 20 miles.
What bait and methods work locally?
Four methods are fished here: live-lining mackerel, slow-trolling or drifting live bait near ledges and rock piles, topwater and trolling in summer, and chunk bait chummed inshore.
Do local captains use circle hooks?
Mass Bay Guides fishes bait on circle hooks. The state sets the rules, so check them before fishing.
Which charters fish stripers out of Scituate?
Mass Bay Guides, Legit Fish Sportfishing, Elizabeth Marie Sport Fishing, Labrador Fishing Charters, Polar Bear Charters and Go Get ‘Em Sportfishing list striped bass. Polar Bear Charters works from Mill Wharf Marina.
When is the South Shore Striper Tournament?
The South Shore Striper Tournament is usually held in June.
