I've never eaten Striper. I would like to try it, but most of the Stripers I've caught have been larger than I would enjoy keeping. I've said if I catch a Striper 16"-20 or maybe up to 22" I may keep it to try it. I do hear they taste good though.
It takes a Striper many years to reach maturity, and they can live to 30 years or more. If a fish has escaped/eluded man, lived to reach maturity I say let him be and maybe it will reach its full potential, and it may become a State or possible World record. It just takes this fish so long to reach maturity it would be hard for me to keep a mature fish.
I know TWRA stocks these fish, and I know that they may not have a successful spawn in our waters, but I do think some may. Those are my thoughts.
In the early 80's these fish were hit hard by fishermen and almost wiped out, but with proper management these fish came back in the mid 2000's and seem to be doing well. But need to be managed closely as the successful spawn rate is not good.
Disclaimer:
These are thoughts from me personally, and do not reflect the thoughts of Fishing TN.
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