How to Catch a Black Sea Bass

Bass are usually associated with freshwater areas such as lakes and rivers. However, the black sea bass is a saltwater fish. A popular ocean sport fish, this bass is a unique species since they're hermaphroditic. Most begin life as females and switch to male reproduction as they mature. These fish usually weigh in at around a pound, but can grow to around 8 lbs. and above.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boat
• Fishing pole and tackle
• Sinkers
• Bait

1. Choose the right time of year. The best time is from around May through the end of summer in the northern Atlantic shores. If you're a bit more south, they may be close to shore as early as February or March.

2. Take tides into account. You want to be able to keep your boat above the shallow areas, so avoid days around a new moon or full moon.

3. Locate a good area. The black sea bass is a bottom feeder, so areas such as reefs, piers and wreckage will attract this species. They're in waters 120 feet deep and deeper.

4. Use the right bait and tackle. Though they may sometimes go for lures and jigs, real bait such as strips of squid or fish attract them best, as it's the closest to their natural choice of food. Since they're bottom feeders, you'll want to add a sinker so your bait is as close to the bottom as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• These fish can also be caught with traps or trawling, but these methods can result in habitat damage and bycatch and are outlawed in some areas, such as the southern Atlantic shores.

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