Sea Bass Fishing

Sea Bass Fishing

Sea Bass fishing is a mainstay of commercial fishing charters and recreational fishing in a number of areas. The primary species found in U.S waters are actually two different species. Black sea bass are found off the coast of the eastern seaboard and the white sea bass are found off the pacific coasts.

Different species can be found in Asian, Australian, Indian, South American and the Pacific seas. This fish is a fierce fighter when caught and often ranges up to 80 pounds and frequently reach 5 feet in length. The average fish is approximately 6-10 pounds and 2-3 feet. They are scrappy fighters that give a good hard struggle when being brought into the boat. This makes them quite popular with sports, recreational and charter fishing groups. Another name for this fish is sea perch.

The black sea bass found on the eastern seaboard ranges from Maine to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. It is smaller than the larger bass found in Asia and Australia and is classified as a grouper fish. The average fish weighs about 7-8 pounds and is about 20 inches long. These fish like to hang around the bottom of the sea bed and can be found in waters as deep as 400 feet. They are found in bays and inlets. The peak fishing time usually occurs in the spring - May to June and again in the fall. They hang out mostly in the 50-80 foot depths and a braided line is a must. live bait, trolling, and jigging are all effective in catching them.

White sea bass are officially in the croaker family and usually travel in schools. They prefer shallow waters and are readily caught using live bait. They feed primarily on small fish such as sardines. They can be caught with a lure that is presented rapidly or the right jigging rig. The average catch is about 28 inches long and 7 pounds. They have been known to reach lengths of 5 feet and weight over 90 pounds but those are rare. They can be caught from California all the way to the waters off of Alaska. The young fish are often mistaken for sea trout and are easily caught in fairly shallow waters. This makes them an excellent species to fish for from the shore.

Both black and white sea bass are regulated fishing species. Both a license and catch limits are strictly enforced. Black sea bass are heavily fished and the fishing season is subject to early closure. Caution should be exercised before engaging a charter to ensure that the season is still open or that the charter can offer fishing for other species.

A variation of fish called sea bass can be caught practically anywhere in the world. How good they taste will vary depending on the species and whether or not they were farm raised or wild. In Australia they are often referred to as Barramundi. In Japan they are called Suzuki and are very popular for making sashimi. Different species are often labeled Sea Bass in order to make them a more recognizable and marketable choice for recreational, sport and commercial fishermen.

www.escalure.co.uk