Hubbard's Fish Anatomy
Hubbard's Fish Anatomy
Hubbard's Fish Anatomy
The Striped Bass is the largest member in the sea bass family. (Female stripers grow larger
distinguish it from the largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, which are actually in he
sunfish family. Stripers have two tooth patches on the back of its tongue and points on the
back of its gill plates, which distinguishes it from other types of bass. The striper's dorsal
fins are also clearly separated into spiny and soft-rayed areas. The spiny fin is situated in
front of the soft, consisting of 9 or 10 stiff spines. The rear dorsal fin is supported by 12 to
14 soft rays, being barely separated from the front one. Rockfish also have a slightly forked
tail, one anal fin, with a spine attached to the front of it. They have a pearl white belly with
an iridescent, silvery, blue-green coloration up its sides shading to olive green to
bluish-black on its back. The darkening of color along its back is due to the lateral lines
becoming wider and closer together in this area. The appearance of this fish is sensational
when the sun's rays are reflected at that "striperchum" angle!There are seven to eight
unbroken, lateral bands that run from head to tail along each side (giving the striper its
name). These horizontal lines are more than just attractive coloration; they also contain a
complex series of receptors that enable these fish to avoid collisions, react to water current
direction changes and help them detect prey. With this sensitive radar system of neuromasts
picking up movement through its electroreceptors (hair cells), along with its keen sense of
smell and eye-sight, stripers become very tactical hunters. They are especially active
hunters at night.
Striped bass have a dual pair of nostrils on each side of its head (behind rear of lip and
before eyes). Water enters these four openings and passes over hundreds of thousands of
olfactory cells, then exits through exit ports without going down the throat. The striper is
constantly smelling and sensing fresh water as it swims. Some equate the striper's sense of
smell in water to as efficient as a dog's sense of smell on land, or better! This is why it is so
important for anglers to avoid touching their bait or lures if their hands contain foreign
odors. This would ultimately discourage a striper from striking. This is also the reason
experienced, consistent striped bass contest winners put so much emphasis on changing
fresh bait often. . . . stripers seem to know the difference.
Experienced "Striperchums" Spread the Chum . . . and Chum Around
Often !!!
Hubbard Fish Anatomy
Hubbard Fish Anatomy
Striperchum.com