Freshwater

Hybrid striped bass (wiper)

Lobina rayada híbrida (wiper)

Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

3–8 lb.

Depth

Surface to 50 ft.

Best time

Morning, evening and night.

Found in

5 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A hatchery cross of white bass and striped bass: thick, silver body with dark stripes that are often broken or offset below the lateral line, a deeper body than a striper, and two tooth patches on the tongue.
Typical size: 3–8 lb.
Maximum size: Over 27 lb.
Diet: Shad and other baitfish.
Behavior: Grows fast and fights very hard; roams in schools after shad like its parents.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Texas & Oklahoma Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South, Southeast Lakes, Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes and Southwest & California Lakes. Reservoirs and tailwaters in many states, kept up by hatchery stocking; it rarely reproduces in the wild.
Habitat: Reservoirs and tailwaters in many states, kept up by hatchery stocking; it rarely reproduces in the wild.
Depth: Surface to 50 ft.
Fishing depth: 10–30 ft.
Best season: All year; spring and fall are best.
Best time: Morning, evening and night.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Overcast days and wind.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live shad and big minnows.
Best artificial lures: Swimbaits, slabs, bucktails, topwaters and crankbaits.
Tackle setup: Medium-heavy spinning rod.
Hook size: 1/0–3/0.
Line: 12–20 lb mono or 20–30 lb braid.
Leader: 15–20 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Slabs Swimbaits Lures

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Reservoirs and tailwaters in many states, kept up by hatchery stocking; it rarely reproduces in the wild.
Rig up: Medium-heavy spinning rod. 15–20 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Live shad and big minnows. Lures: Swimbaits, slabs, bucktails, topwaters and crankbaits.
Fish it: Find schools on the depth finder or under birds and fish live shad, swimbaits or slabs through them.
Time it: Morning, evening and night. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Find schools on the depth finder or under birds and fish live shad, swimbaits or slabs through them.
BigJoe's tip: Check the stripes: broken lines below the lateral line usually mean a hybrid.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm, mild white meat; bleed it and remove the red meat line.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp gill covers and spines.
Regulations: States set separate limits for hybrids and stripers; check local rules. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Conservation: Stocked fish; supported by hatcheries.

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Sources & photo credits