Black Sea Bass Videos

Species - Black Sea Bass

Scientific Name - (Centropristis striata)

Physical Description - Black sea bass coloration is highly variable, ranging from bluish-black to brown to smoky gray on the top, shading to a slightly paler color on the side and belly. The scales are large and have pale blue or white centers that sometimes form faint vertical stripes along the back and sides. The body is robust, with a high, arching back. The head is flat and ends in a slightly pointed snout, and the mouth is large. There are two joined dorsal fins, the first with long, sharp points that jet up into the air, particularly on older males that have highly arched backs. Males usually have higher dorsal fins than females.

Range - Black sea bass are found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Maine to the Florida Keys, including the Gulf of Mexico. During most of the year, they inhabit the northern tier of the U.S. Atlantic Coast and are most abundant from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Habitat - As shallow- to medium-depth fish, black sea bass are found most often between 50 and 180 feet deep. Younger fish stay closer to shore than older black sea bass. They prefer rocky-bottomed areas over shells, coral and rock, and congregate around rock jetties and pilings, reefs and wrecks. They are also one of the most abundant species on artificial reefs along the South Atlantic coast.

While black sea bass often gather in large groups, they do not travel together in schools. They can tolerate water temperatures as low as 42 and as high as 84 F. In the northern part of their range, they migrate seasonally, going out to sea during the winter and returning closer to shore when the weather warms. However, in the southern area of their range, roughly from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina southward, they do not migrate but rather reside in the same areas year round.

Spawning Habits - About one of black sea bass will change their gender from female to male, a change that can occur anytime from 1 to 8 years of age. Black sea bass spawn from January to June, with some additional activity through the fall. They have an elaborate mating ritual in which males and female both congregate by gender, the males hovering above the females. One by one the females will begin an ascent to the surface and the males will push them upwards so rigorously the female may be thrown out of the water. During this activity both eggs and sperm are discharged and fertilization occurs. Eggs float until they hatch 3 to 4 days later.

Food Usage/Selection - Classified as carnivorous bottom-feeders, black sea bass feed extensively on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, as well as small fish, worms and mollusks. Being visual feeders, they feed mostly during the day.

Sporting Qualities - Black sea bass are considered excellent table fare and good fighters that will fight all the way to the boat or shore. Typical black sea bass locations are found near wrecks, deep jetties and reefs – both natural and manmade – and other rock-covered bottoms in moderately deep water. Natural baits like squid, clams and small baitfish are usually fished near the bottom. Size of the bait used should correspond with size of fish being sought, with smaller bait applicable inshore and larger bait (including whole fish) used farther out.

1. Notes
2. Black sea bass have dangerously sharp spines on their dorsal fin that can puncture human skin.
3. The all-tackle world record for black sea bass is 9 pounds, 8 ounces.
4. When hooked in deep water and brought quickly to the surface, a black sea bass will often regurgitate its stomach contents.