So where are the real sea bass?f fri 7 sat report

[Togfather2530]

No I’m merely saying if many spots are getting picked of all the bigger fish in 3 weeks time then it’s good I guess that it’s a short season. Everyone wants to fish all year for them. I’m also saying a 12 1/2” fish is hardly much of a fillet. Salt water fishing needs to be sustainable. Fisherman all want a liberal season and there is a lot of pressure on these fish. Honestly the point here is that I found it odd that it’s that hard to get keepers picking through so many short fish. I’ll keep bouncing around on more smaller pieces and looking. There were plenty of fish and I mean plenty. Just nothing of any size whatsoever.

Now on another note. Do most of u feel the sea bass group together according to size? I have read that. In that case one would want to move around to find bigger fish. Or do you feel your better off working it until you catch a few bigger fish. I have done both in the past, but I’m wondering what others opinions are that might know more about their behavior.

Thanks, Don.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by reason162

Maybe bc your thread is questioning the vocal consensus here that seabass regs are nonsense. If you believe that then your experience must leave you scratching your head.

My feeling is it's probably yet another species that will benefit from some sort of slot limit. I love a big 4+lb knothead as much as the next guy, but just like 30lb stripers and 5+ lb fluke...those are the brood stock with the "big fish" genes to pass on.

black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they generally first mature as females and some later become male. The sex change generally occurs over the winter when the fish are 240 to 330 mm (9.4 to 13.0 in) long

[bunker dunker]

calm down,all is good.saturday was as good as it gets with nice c-bass and yesterday was a great catching day with a greater short to keeper ratio.there are plenty of c-bass around. we had bass stacked up 30ft off the bottom yesterday.if the spots your fishing are not holding the fish you want,go look around.they were packed up tight with sand eels on both days so maybe they
are not that hungry.

[henro]

I think no matter what with the sea bass you're going to have to weed through the shorts to start stacking up keepers. The fish are so thick that the shorts continually get to the baits/lures quicker. Just be persistent and keep picking.

[Chrisper4694]

we had two good weekends in a row but the fish def moved, we looked and looked sunday and couldn't find any sort of decent keeper ratio anywhere we looked, but we didn't try much deeper water or really shallow water.

The 2 trips we did have good keepers, 31 out of 40 of the keeper sized fish came on the jig! and yes we counted!

[reason162]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they generally first mature as females and some later become male. The sex change generally occurs over the winter when the fish are 240 to 330 mm (9.4 to 13.0 in) long

I was vaguely aware of this species trait, thanks for clarifying. Male or female, taking only from the top of the size pyramid is probably a bad idea.

[Togfather2530]

Originally Posted by reason162

I was vaguely aware of this species trait, thanks for clarifying. Male or female, taking only from the top of the size pyramid is probably a bad idea.

I was vaguely aware of that as well. It is from my understanding that most of the big sea bass would be males. I’m not sure if they have “big fish genes” or not. I would think if they live long enough and have a good food source they would all get to 15-16”. I’m happy with 15-16” sea bass. I could be wrong about that though. Thanks for everyone’s input. Unfortunately I didnt make it out in the beginning of the season bc of other obligations. Seems others had difficulty as well. I’ll search more.

[reason162]

Originally Posted by Togfather2530

I’m not sure if they have “big fish genes” or not. I would think if they live long enough and have a good food source they would all get to 15-16”.

I think by definition, big fish will have big fish genes. Or rather, big fish genes built the brain with the correct behavioral patterns to grow a big fish body

In any case, good luck on your hunt! I haven't been out once this year for seabass...I might have to travel for the big ones as Jeremy pointed out.

[SaltLife1980]

Sea Bass fishing is boring..

[Ice Cream Bill]

Roger, thanks for the input. Absolutely love your fishing and cooking videos!

I have to agree with Jigman 100%. If you have fished on head boats out in RI, MA NY and CT (i.e. Block Island) catching 3-4 lb fish, then fishing in NJ for 12.5 inch “keeper” sea bass is not fun. If I want huge sea bass in NJ, it will cost me $200 to go offshore in Nov/Dec. (which I’ve done the past 3 years).

However, I have been pleasantly surprised by my early season sea bass results:
May 29th NS boat Brielle 14 keepers (ORL 10), 3 ling
June 8th Ocean Explorer me+ daughter 14 keepers, 1 four spot flounder
June 10th NS PP charter Caught limit, 1 ling

I use clam/other bait/Gulp. Hardly ever jig which will produce the bigger fish 9 times out of 10. Tons of fish around; you just need to know how to weed through the little ones. Be careful what you wish for. New York’s season has yet to open up. Tight Lines!