Tides

• Striped bass do not prefer one tide over another, although it can vary by location. Fish a spot several times over the course of a few weeks and at different times of the day, and keep a record of the number of fish caught at either high tide or low tide in either the morning or evening. This will help you determine the best tide and time to fish at that location during that season. Stripers are migratory, so what works for this season may not work next season.
  
  

Current

• A sudden moving current in a small lake or dammed reservoir alerts stripers that it is mealtime as the moving water allows the bass to catch shad and other prey disoriented by the flow. Morning is the best time to fish near a hydro plant because the dam may draw water in, causing the water to stir, which makes it easier for stripers to feed. For fishing in rivers and larger lakes and estuaries with steady currents, unpredictability rules the best time of day for success.
  
  

Dusk vs. Dawn vs. Daytime

• Striped bass are "predictably unpredictable," as noted on the Arkansas Stripers website. Stripers are repelled by strong light and noise and tend to be more active in the shallows during periods of low light. On sunny days, they will continue to feed in deep, cooler waters on the shaded sides of the bank. In clear lakes with heavy boat traffic, bass feed mainly after dark in hot weather, according to Mark Hicks of Field & Stream. The best fishing typically takes place near midnight, after the water has settled down from the day's turmoil.
  
  Striped bass are primarily nocturnal, but they also like any low-light conditions Dark, overcast, rainy days can be wonderful for striper fishing, according to the Arkansas Stripers website.
  
  

Feeding Time

• Striped bass prefer large bodies of deep, clear water with a temperature between 65 and 70 degrees along the Atlantic Coast, Pacific Coast and a few lakes and streams in between. Stripers prefer these areas because they are rich in shad, menhaden and other finfish.
  
  Striped bass eat about 5 percent of their body weight each day, according to the Arkansas Stripers website. Most adult stripers 10 years and older usually weigh between 18 and 70 pounds, as noted on Striper247.com's length to weight chart. They feed like most other fish, generally most actively at dusk and dawn, although some feeding may occur during the day. During the summer, they become more nocturnal.