Catching Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass Management

When you’re fishing for sea bass, it’s important to pay attention to management plans of the species that vary by state. The recreational regulations can affect everything from bag limit to minimum size so familiarize yourself with the annually-adjusted guidelines. For instance, in Massachusetts, anglers can keep up to five per day of fish that are at least 15 inches long.

Where to Find Black Sea Bass

If you’re learning how to saltwater fish and live on the Eastern seaboard, you’ll likely set your sights on black sea bass at some point. Black sea bass are commonly found along North America’s Atlantic Coast. With warmer waters, they can now be found as far north as the Gulf of Maine all the way down to the Keys in Florida, migrating as the temperature changes.

The species is typically associated with structured habitats on rocky bottoms at depths greater than 20 feet. They are often found near such structures as wrecks, reefs, rock pilings, and jetties, so knowing how to catch sea bass from shore is essential to increasing your catch rates. Use navigational aids like paper charges or software to find marked reefs, although unmarked often hold more promise.

The Best Bait for Sea Bass

Whether you’re a beginner or pro, when mastering how to fish for black sea bass, one of the most critical elements is understanding the right bait to use with these aggressive fish. And the answer? Definitely opt for live or cut bait. Since sea bass are bottom feeders, it’s best to choose natural bait like squid, mussels, clams, and crabs.

Effective Tackle When Fishing for Sea Bass

Even though they can reach up to 10 pounds in weight and they fight well, with black sea bass, you can get away with using pretty basic gear. Use a medium-weight rod that’s 7 feet long. Use a reel with a 20-30 pound fused, mono or braided line. Some anglers use diamond jigs, but many prefer a two-hook bait rig, although there aren’t many lures that a bass won’t strike.

Catching and Releasing

They may be hard fighting but black sea bass can be pretty easy to catch, so many individuals learning how to fish for black sea bass practice the sustainable method of catch and release to enjoy the sport of hooking these fish. To make sure the fish survive after release, use sharp hooks without barbs and remove them quickly to prevent tissue damage. And be sure to wet your hands before touching the fish.

Preserving Black Sea Bass on Board

Black sea bass is one of the tastiest fish species to eat. If you plan to enjoy black sea bass as a meal, it’s important to preserve the fish properly. First, be sure to bleed out the fish as soon as you catch it. After using a sharp knife or gill raker, place the bleeding fish into a buck of sea water to make sure all the blood drains out of it. After the bass bleeds out completely, make sure to keep it on ice or in a bath of ice and sea water until you arrive home.