We investigated mortality of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) within a length range of 229-762 mm total length (TL), caught with artificial lures with a single hook, artificial lures with treble hook(s), and live bait with a single hook. Striped bass (N = 307) were caught during a 2-year period in Lake Texoma starting June 1989 and concluding June 1991. Captured fish were measured, fin-punched for identification, and transported to a net pen in the lake and held 72 hours. Overall, hooking mortality was 38%. Hooking mortality was significantly (P < 0.05) related to length, season, and bait type. There was a direct relationship between fish length and hooking mortality, and a predictive model for hooking mortality was developed. Hooking mortality was higher in spring (69%) and summer (47%) than in fall (8%) and winter (13%). Hooking mortality (58%) was significantly higher when live bait was used.
