black sea bass - what can you tell me about them?

[JSeamans]

Caught my first one fluking in Vineyard Sound. It's fun catching a new species at my age. The fish couldn't have been much more than 6 pounds but it was tough to reel in, sounded a couple of times, and fought like a 38-inch striper. Didn't keep it but I hear they're edible.

[PAX]

Their flesh is white and delicious. One of my favorite fish when it comes to cooking. You will get them while fishing for scups.

[BobG]

A 6 pounder is about as big as they get! Too bad you threw it back, b/c if you're a fish lover, you threw back one of the best eating fish in the ocean. The white flaky flesh easily rivals red snapper, perhaps even better!

[Poppr]

Back in June I caught quite a few on the Masneee flats while trying for stripers and early season bluefish. Caught a few bluefish but saw fish "dimpling" on the surface and threw sluggo's, jigs, etc, for two days. On the third day I fished small "shad" type baits on a jig head and let it sink all the way down before the retreive. BANG! Black seas-bass on cast after cast.

You're right they do fight like the dickens, especially on light (10# class) tackle. Largest was about 16 inches and estimated that at 2-3#.

First time in 30 years of fishing those flats that I caught this species of fish. Looked it up on the 'net and aparently they are quite prevalent in these Cape waters just not normally that shallow. The females are all black but the males have a purplish color on the head. Found plenty of recipies as well so next time I'll keep a few.

[samng]

hi all
I have to agree that it is one of best table fare, black sea bass.
great steamed with ginger and scallion.


cheers :)

[capemike88]

Don't forget toutag!

[Jigmaster]

Guess I'm one of the few who think that Black Sea Bass flesh is a little over-rated. Then again, I don't think tautog is that great either, and I think they taste similar. I prefer stripers or fluke anyday!

That being said, they are a cool looking fish that are a lot of fun to catch. My favorite method of catching them is drifting and vertical jigging. 3/4 to 2 ounce tins (Hopkins, Kastmasters, Diamond Jigs) work great. No bait is necessary, but a strip of squid is appreciated.

I never saw one until 1999. Now they are everywhere! I now see juveniles everywhere when I am snorkeling. Were they always this abundant or am I just now starting to notice them?

[aws]

Their flesh is white and delicious. One of my favorite fish when it comes to cooking. You will get them while fishing for scups.

or spearfishing by the looks of that one.

[PeterSorensen]

Black Sea Bass have a very high fat content from their shellfish diet and stay very moist when cooked. It is basically the same as Chilean Sea Bass which is being fished into extinction because it's sooooo tasty.

[sterlings]

this is really a great fish to do whole, either steamed, or pan fried.

one thing I have found about them though is that they really do not keep very well at all... maybe it is high fat content, I'm not sure but they really seem to need to be eaten either that day or next day at the latest.

try it in a large fish poacher or steamer if you have one ... for liquid use water and white wine with large pieces of carrots, celery, ginger and onion in the liquid. bring that to a boil and place the fish above it... secure the lid tightly and simmer for 25-30 min. or until it flakes, depending on the size of the fish... serve it with melted butter & lemon, YUM!

[PAX]

or spearfishing by the looks of that one.

That is correct. That one was caught of Brenton Point early July. The fish was mixed with a big group of tautog in 30ft of water.