Striped Bass

While Crystal Springs, Mississippi, isn't typically known as a striped bass mecca, dedicated anglers can find success targeting these hard-fighting fish in the Pearl River. Spring and fall are generally the best times to fish for stripers, as they migrate upriver to spawn or feed. Focus your efforts around areas with current, such as bridge pilings, creek mouths, and dams. Live shad is the bait of choice, but artificial lures like swimbaits and crankbaits can also be effective. Be prepared for a battle; stripers are known for their powerful runs. A helpful local tip is to check with local bait shops for the freshest shad and information on recent striper activity. Also, be aware of any size or creel limits for striped bass on the Pearl River. The striped bass population here isn't huge, so practice catch and release to help maintain the fishery.