Connecticut Black Sea Bass -NEW Regs for 2016

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Connecticut Black Sea Bass -NEW Regs for 2016

The 2016 recreational regulations for Black Sea Bass have changed: Season:  May 1 to December 31, 2016 Minimum Size:  15 inches Daily Creel:  5 fish per angler Connecticut Current Record Black Sea Bass  7   8     25" Six Mile Reef   Mike Lane   2005 Massachusetts State Record: 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Rhode Island 8 lbs., 7.25 oz. 26" Oct. 1981 Block Island K. McDuffie Pascoag, RI IGFA International All-Tackle World Record: 10 pounds, 14 ounces. Caught off Virginia Beach, Virginia Angling Tips The best time to fish for black seas bass is from May through summer, when they are closest to shore. Any underwater structure - wrecks, manmade structures like jetties and piers, rock piles - will attract this species. They can be found near shore to depths of 120 feet at this time of year, with larger males closer to the further end of this depth range. Bait fishing with crab, fish, or squid is the most productive method. Occasionally, black sea bass will strike at plugs, jigs, or lures. Although these fish have large mouths, use a smaller hook with a small sinker tied below it. The most commonly caught fish weigh from 0.5 to 2 pounds. Food Quality Mild, fresh, delicate flavored meat that is tender but firm. Raw meat is white and translucent, turning bright white when cooked. Description Size: Up to 25 inches long, commonly 11-12 inches long Color: Typically blue-black dorsally, fading to a slightly paler color on the belly. Each scale has a light blue-white center, creating stripes along the back and sides. The dorsal fin - and sometimes the anal and pectoral fins - has white lines or splotches. Juveniles go through four color phases: (1) light graywith small dark spots; (2) dark with pale white spots; (3) striped with a horizontal dark stripe; and (4) barred having 6 vertical stripes. Mature males have vivid blue-green around and above the eyes and on top of the head. Body: Fairly stout with a large head and mouth. The first and second dorsal fins are attached. Habitat Common around rock jetties and over rocky bottoms in shallow waters. However, there have been reports of individuals in depts of over 425 feet and in offshore areas. Black sea bass generally overwinter in water 240 to 600 feet deep. During the summer, adult sea bass gather at depths of less than 120 feet. Young-of-the-year and yearlings tend to summer in estuaries. In southern New England, young-of-the-year start to enter estuaries in August and move offshore to depths of 180 t0 360 feet during the fall. The largest adults in southern New England tend to begin their annual offshore and southerly migration as early as August, while juveniles and smaller adults migrate later in the fall.The pectoral and pelvic fins are large. The caudal fin sometimes has a long streamer trailing from the top edge. Both gill covers have a flat spin pointing down the body.