Posted on October 17, 2021 Maryland striper Index way below average Though up slightly from last year at just 3.2, Maryland’s striped bass young of the year index is far below the long term average of 11.4 and offers little hope for a big improvement in striper stocks. Yet, there have been some great reports of big bass in the harbor area where Dave Lilly said he couldn’t find a keeper while drifting eels on Friday as they were all too big . A 49-incher pulled his scale to 44 pounds before release. Chuck Many also had all big bass yesterday on his Tyman from Highlands. At Belmar, the Golden Eagle was in bunker schools today and had striper readings on its fishfinder, but couldn’t get them to hit any lure or live bunkers. Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den reports Miss Belmar Princess boated its first fall striper yesterday.