Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) is a temperate marine species that inhabits irregular hard-bottom areas, such as wrecks or reefs. They are found from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral.

Recreational sea bass fishing is extremely popular along the Atlantic coast. Anglers fish year round for this exceptionally delicious fish, although the fish migrate to deeper water in winter and fishing opportunities are less frequent due to windy weather and the increased distances to the fishing grounds.

Peak fishing is usually May and early June and again in the fall. In the spring, wrecks, reefs and rough bottom in depths of 50 - 80 feet usually hold the most fish.

Bigger fish can sometimes be enticed by using larger baits. Favorite rigs for bigger fish include single hook rigs with a whole squid for bait, large bucktail jigs with squid strips and large metal jigs. The larger baits catch less total fish but with a much higher average weight.

U.S. recreational fishing for black sea bass is jointly managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Regulators estimate population sizes, fishing pressure and other factors and then determine an annual quota for each state. Individual states then set size limits, creel limits and seasons in order to limit catches. If states exceed quotas during the season, regulators can close the fishery early.

Black Sea Bass are excellent table fare. The meat is firm, white and delicious. Sea Bass are superb fried, grilled, baked or broiled. Sea Bass are easily skinned and filleted. Their roe is also delicious.

Black sea bass are easy to clean. They can be skinned quickly, then filleted. The resulting fillets are mild, white and ready to cook.

Squid

Atlantic Loligo Squid are common in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Commonly known as longfin squid, they are among the top baits for black sea bass fishing.

Blue Crabs

The Atlantic blue crab is found in inshore environments from Nova Scotia southward. These crabs make excellent bait for sea bass. They are fished as cut bait and occasionally fished whole.

Green Crab

The green crab is an introduced species that is originally from Northern Europe. Their shell size can be up to 3". Green crabs are now found from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Rock Crab

The rock crab is a common species of shallow-water crab found from Labrador to South Carolina. It is usually found sheltering in nooks and crevices.

Jonah Crab

The Jonah crab is a species of crab found on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is closely related to the Dungeness crab of the Pacific Coast. Jonah Crabs look similar to rock crabs due to similar color and possessing 9 teeth on each side of the eye. Jonahs have black tips on their claws and a rougher shell edge as compared to rock crabs.

Mole Crabs

Mole crabs are found along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts southward. Fishermen also gather them with special metal mesh scoops or with meshed wire nets attached to poles. They can sometimes be purchased at bait and tackle shops in some areas.

Shrimp

In southern states, shrimp are sometimes used for sea bass fishing, especially when a sea bass are found among a variety of other species. Shrimp are sized by "count", the value being the average number of shrimp specimens per pound. For example, 16-20 count count means there are 16 to 20 shrimp per pound.

Hard Clams

The hard clam is the most popular American clam. Seafood retailers classify hard clams corresponding to their different sizes. The largest sizes are called quahogs or chowder clams.

Ocean Quahogs

The ocean quahog is also known as a mahogany clam, mahogany quahog, black quahog and black clam. Quahog may reach 3-6 inches in diameter. Ocean quahogs are shucked fresh as sea bass bait.

Surf Clams

The Atlantic surf clam is harvested commercially off the Northeast USA coast. Surf clams range from 4 to 8 inches in length. They are cut into strips for sea bass fishing. Surf clams can be brined and frozen, making an excellent stored bait.

Effective Monday, October 5, 2009, NOAA Fisheries Service is closing the recreational fishery for black sea bass. The closure applies to all federal waters north of Cape Hatteras, N.C., for 180 days in response to recent landing data that showed recreational fishermen may catch more than double their annual quota by the end of the year.

According to NOAA's data recreational fishermen may exceed their 1.14 million pound harvest limit by as much as 84 to 225 percent warranting the closure. Critics of the move note that the data has gotten wide acclaim from both scientists and fishermen as being erronous.

Morningstar, a 22 passenger party boat based in Ocean City Maryland has a reputation for offering some of the best black sea bass fishing on the East Coast. To book a trip or learn more about black sea bass and artificial reefs, visit Morningstar - Ocean City MD.

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Black sea bass are highly sought after by commercial fishermen throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of North America. In 2006, commercial landings were 2.8 million pounds.In the Mid Atlantic, primary gear includes sea bass pots, otter trawls, and hook and line.

In American waters, black sea bass is jointly managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The species is regulated via the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass.