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Centropristis striata
Black Sea Bass
Saltwater
About this species
A small, structure-loving grouper relative of the US Atlantic coast, dark and stocky with a chunky head. It swarms wrecks, reefs and rock piles, biting eagerly at baits dropped to the bottom. Squid strips and clam on simple bottom rigs are hard to beat.
Season
123456789101112
Depth
5 – 130 m
Habitat Spots
ReefNearshoreHarbor
Fishing Methods
Bottom
Bait & Rig
Squid strips, clam, or bloodworm on a two-hook dropper rig bounced vertically over wrecks, hard bottom, and artificial reefs.
Edibility & Taste
Excellent sweet, delicate white flesh; a favorite in New England seafood restaurants and good steamed, fried, or grilled.
Similar Species
Mature males develop a fatty nuchal hump behind the head; distinguished from tautog by the elongated dorsal fin and streak-patterned sides rather than plain dark coloring.
Record Weight
4.4 kg