Species guide · New Jersey
Black sea bass fishing in New Jersey
Centropristis striata, a nearshore species also called sea bass, humpback and knothead. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE at 60, one of 4 New Jersey bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Mid-Atlantic
Shoulder season, about 1 more week- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Off season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Peak season
- Nov: Peak season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: May to Jun, Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Dec.
Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region
Northern stock. Fish move inshore to depths under 120 ft when bottom water passes about 45 F (7 C) in spring, and head for offshore wintering wrecks at 240-540 ft as it cools toward that mark in late fall. Best catches come in late May and June on inshore reefs and wrecks and October through December on deeper wrecks. Seasons are set by state under ASMFC; Virginia has opened a short February season in some years.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
New Jersey bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's black sea bass score this hour.
Best window today 2-7 PM (66) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 PM (74) · 38 named spots
Best window today 2-10 PM (65) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (71) · 100 named spots
Best window today 12-4 PM (65) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 PM (74) · 147 named spots
Best window today 12-5 PM (64) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 PM (75) · 72 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 48°F to 82°F, best between 55°F and 72°F.
- Water depth
- 10 to 180 ft of water.
- Structure
- Wreck, reef, ledge, jetty, oyster, pier, bridge and channel, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Fished at anchor or on a slow drift right over structure. A light current carries scent and keeps fish up and feeding; strong current makes it hard to hold bottom on deeper wrecks.
- Light
- Little tied to dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Black sea bass hold tight to wrecks, reefs, rock piles and jetties, from 15 feet inshore in late spring to well over 100 feet on offshore wrecks in late fall. Anchor or drift right over the structure and fish a two-hook high-low rig with squid or clam, or bounce a small jig on the bottom. The biggest males sit on the highest relief.
- Methods
- bottom fishing, jigging, drift fishing
- Lures
- diamond jigs, bucktail jigs, soft plastics on jig heads, slow-pitch jigs
- Bait
- squid strips, clams, cut fish, shrimp, crab
Regulations
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with NJFW Sep 21, 2026.
No reviewed black sea bass rule for New Jersey is on file yet. Check with NJFW before you keep one.