Striped Bass Swirl off Biddeford Pool | July 2025
- Brick + Tides
- Sep 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 8
Striped Bass in Motion: A Summer Spectacle at Biddeford Pool
On a bright July sunset, just offshore from Biddeford Pool, a breathtaking sight unfolded. Hundreds of striped bass, also known as “stripers,” moved as one in a tight, circling ball just 300 yards from the shoreline. The moment lasted only seconds, but it was enough to capture a mesmerizing display of nature’s choreography, preserved in a short 15-second video that tells a bigger story.
Striped bass are famous for their powerful swimming, sleek silver bodies, and seasonal migrations along the Atlantic coast. When they gather in large schools, they often move in coordinated circles, forming what looks like a living whirlpool in the water. This behavior can serve several purposes: confusing predators, corralling baitfish into the center of the swirl, or simply keeping the school tight and organized while feeding. To witness such a ball of fish near Biddeford Pool is a reminder of the abundance of marine life just beneath the surface.
The video pans up to reveal the context of the scene: the historic and beloved Biddeford Pool community, with its mix of sandy beaches, tidal marshes, and rocky shoreline. This area has long been a haven for boaters, birdwatchers, and anglers chasing the striped bass run each summer. The recently built bathhouse at Biddeford Pool Beach comes into view, standing as a modern addition to a coastline that has welcomed generations of swimmers and sunbathers.
For locals and visitors alike, the sight of striped bass so close to shore is more than just a thrill. It’s a living symbol of Maine’s coastal identity—wild, vibrant, and always in motion. These moments connect people with the rhythms of the sea, whether they’re casting a line at dawn, launching a kayak into the surf, or simply enjoying the view from the beach.
Biddeford Pool has always been a place where land and sea converge in striking ways. From the calls of ospreys hunting over the marsh to the rush of tides through “the Gut,” nature is always on display. But sometimes, like on July 18, 2025, it offers something truly extraordinary: a glimpse into the hidden world beneath the waves, where striped bass move together in circles that remind us of the timeless beauty of Maine’s coast.