Saltwater
Black Sea Bass
Where to find them, how to catch them and the tackle to use.
01Introduction
The black sea bass is a stout, big-mouthed bottom fish, bluish black with pale-centered scales that form lines along its sides. Big males show brilliant blue colors in the water. Sea bass live around rocks, reefs and wrecks, hit bait and jigs aggressively, and are prized for their mild, white fillets. They usually run about a foot long and can reach 2 feet and more than 8 pounds.
02Where to Catch
Range: Maine to the Florida Keys and into the Gulf. Fish north of Cape Hatteras belong to a stock that migrates with the seasons; those south of the Cape don't migrate.
Habitat: hard bottom and structure: reefs, wrecks, rock piles, shoals, oyster bars, pilings, buoys and jetties. Sea bass feed during the day on crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams and small fish.
Seasonal movements: in the northern stock, sea bass move inshore and north as the water warms in spring and spawn in coastal ocean waters from early summer into fall. Later in summer the bigger fish move to deeper shoals, reefs and wrecks. In fall they head south and offshore, spending winter in deep water.
03How to Catch
Bait rigs
The high-low rig, with two hooks on dropper loops above a sinker, is the most popular way to fish bait for sea bass. It keeps the baits near the bottom and makes it easy to change the sinker weight. It works well in deeper water and moderate to strong current. Squid strips are the most popular bait; clams, crabs, fish strips, bloodworms and sandworms also work, as do scented artificial baits.
Jigging
Leadhead or bucktail jigs tipped with bait or a soft-plastic trailer, and metal jigs fished near the bottom, all catch sea bass. Drop the jig to the bottom, then crank the reel a half-turn to hold it 12 to 18 inches up, where sea bass feed. Keep your line straight up and down; if it swings away from the boat, switch to a heavier jig. Lift the rod to make the jig dart, lower it and repeat. Sea bass hit with a distinct thump. Snap the rod up quickly to set the hook.
Where to fish
Fish right on the structure. From a boat, fish over wrecks, reefs and rock piles. From shore, sea bass are occasional, mostly smaller fish near jetties and steep drop-offs in late spring.
04Tackle
A 6- to 7½-foot medium-heavy rod with 20- to 30-pound braided line and a 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. Spinning tackle suits jigging in 10 to 60 feet of water; in deeper water or heavy current, a conventional reel makes it easier to drop back to the bottom. Carry jigs from 1/2 ounce to 4 ounces or more, heavier for deeper water and faster current. Black sea bass seasons and limits are regulated and change often, so check your state's current rules.
05Questions anglers ask
Do black sea bass change sex?
Yes. Black sea bass start life as females, and some later become males, usually at 9½ to 13 inches. Not every fish changes. Removing big males from an area may cause the largest remaining females to switch.
Why did my sea bass lose its bright color?
Black sea bass, especially big males, show brilliant blue colors in the water, but they turn a dull black and white soon after they're taken out.
How deep do I need to fish?
It changes with the season. In the Northeast, sea bass are often in 20 to 40 feet of water in spring and early summer, move to 60 to 120 feet on shoals, reefs and wrecks later in summer, and go offshore to 120 to 240 feet or deeper in winter. Use enough weight to keep your jig or rig on the bottom.
Can I catch sea bass from shore?
Sometimes. They usually live in deeper water, but in late spring they can come within reach of jetties and steep drop-offs. Shore fish tend to be small. Try a high-low rig with fresh clams, squid or sea worms.