Characteristics of the Striped Bass

Michael Riglietti is secretary of MSR Electrical Construction in Brooklyn, New York, having worked for several decades in the electrical service and repair industry. When not working, Micheal Riglietti enjoys outdoor recreation, such as spearfishing for striped bass.

Also known as rockfish, striped bass (or morone saxitilis, Latin for “dwelling among rocks”) can grow as long as five feet. They are silvery in color, with olive-green hues on their backs, white bellies, and seven or eight continuous horizontal stripes. They have two fins on the dorsal (upper) side: one soft-rayed and one spiny.

Living up to 30 years or more, striped bass inhabit the coastal Atlantic areas south from Canada to Florida and westward to Louisiana, spending most of their lives in rivers. They also have been stocked in various inland reservoirs.

Their reproductive cycle begins when females deposit eggs in river waters for males to fertilize. (Many are spawned in Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware and Hudson rivers.) The eggs drift downstream and mature in deltas and similar areas. Mature fish enter the Atlantic to migrate.

At one time striped bass were so abundant they were used as fertilizer on farms. However, in 1980 the industry collapsed due to environmental problems and overfishing.

Essential Safety Gear for Scuba Diving

Michael Riglietti is a respected presence in the New York contracting sphere who has taken on numerous electrical system installation projects. An avid boater and scuba diver, Michael Riglietti is active with the Divers Alert Network, which promotes safe diving practices and provides access to next generation safety items. 

Among the essential safety accessories for divers is an underwater compass, which ensures accurate direction determination, even if digital systems fail. As surfacing down-current from the dive boat is always a possibility, it's also wise to carry along surface signaling devices including a tall inflatable signal tube, emergency whistle, and a signaling mirror.

At the same time, carry along a sturdy pocket light as a backup to the primary light if night diving or when entering waters that are murky or crevice filled. Also consider investing in a GPS rescue signaling device. Equipment such as the Nautilus Marine Rescue GPS floats and can withstand depths of more than 400 feet. Once activated, it sends the diver's position to any boats in the vicinity for emergency pick up.