Side by Side

Striped Bass Morone saxatilis

Typical: 20–36 in, 4–20 lb

Key field mark: Clean, continuous, straight horizontal stripes (not broken, wavy, or staggered) over a silvery body confirm it, and the front spiny dorsal stands fully separate from the soft rear dorsal.

• 7-8 dark, unbroken horizontal stripes on silvery flanks
• stripes run continuous from gill cover to tail base
• two clearly separate dorsal fins, front one spiny
• olive-green to blue-gray back, white belly
• stout, slightly arched body with a long head

Full Striped Bass guide — season, gear and rules →

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis

Typical: 12–20 in, 1–4 lb

Quickest tell: The pair of large canine fangs at the front of the upper jaw, the wavy rows of small spots (never the clean horizontal stripes of a striped bass), and the soft, easily-torn mouth (hence 'weakfish') are diagnostic.

• iridescent purple-green back with small dark spots in oblique wavy rows
• yellowish fins, especially the pelvic and anal fins
• two prominent canine fangs at the tip of the upper jaw
• no chin barbels
• no black spot at the tail base or along the lateral line

Full Weakfish guide — season, gear and rules →

When Each Is Running July — current month highlighted

Where Striped Bass and Weakfish Overlap

Both run in Mid-Atlantic, Northeast — that is where telling them apart actually matters.

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