Black sea bass
Centropristis striata
A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.
- Peak months
- Typical depth
- Typical size
- Up to 24 inches (8 pounds); commonly up to 12 inches (1.5 pounds)
- Catch minimum
- National record
See state records · Browse all fishing records
Recorded profile
- habitat summary
- Coastal waters near structure and rocky bottoms. Smaller specimens are often found inshore in finger channels.
- diet
- feeders, and their diet includes small fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.
- preferred bait
- squid and cut bait on chicken/dropper rigs; scented Gulp/Fishbites on jigs
- preferred lures
- 3–4 oz arrow jigs tipped with scented strips
- techniques
- two-hook chicken rig or scent-tipped jig; drift don’t over-anchor; braid for feel
- peak months
- Not recorded
States with a source record
Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Massachusetts · Maryland · Maine · North Carolina · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Virginia · Vermont
Source evidence by state
- Connecticut — Black Sea Bass · seed: portal.ct.gov · portal.ct.gov
- Delaware — Black Sea Bass · seed: dnrec.delaware.gov · dnrec.delaware.gov
- Florida — Black Sea Bass · enriched: myfwc.com · catchafloridamemory.com · www.floridasportsman.com · www.floridasportsman.com · www.floridasportsman.com · myfwc.com
- Georgia — Black Sea Bass · seed: georgiawildlife.com · georgiawildlife.com · georgiawildlife.com
- Massachusetts — Black Sea Bass · seed: www.mass.gov · www.mass.gov · www.mass.gov
- Maryland — Black Sea Bass · seed: dnr.maryland.gov · dnr.maryland.gov · dnr.maryland.gov
- Maine — Black Sea Bass · seed: www.maine.gov · www.maine.gov
- North Carolina — Black Sea Bass · seed: www.ncwildlife.gov · auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov · www.deq.nc.gov · www.ncwildlife.gov
- New Hampshire — Black Sea Bass · seed: www.wildlife.nh.gov · www.wildlife.nh.gov
- New Jersey — Black Sea Bass · seed: dep.nj.gov · dep.nj.gov · dep.nj.gov
- New York — Black Sea Bass · seed: dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov · dec.ny.gov
- Rhode Island — Black Sea Bass · seed: dem.ri.gov · dem.ri.gov
- South Carolina — Black Sea Bass · seed: www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov
- Virginia — Black Sea Bass · seed: dwr.virginia.gov · mrc.virginia.gov
- Vermont — Black Sea Bass · seed: vtfishandwildlife.com · vtfishandwildlife.com
LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.