Species guide · Virginia

Black sea bass fishing in Virginia

Centropristis striata, a nearshore species also called sea bass, humpback and knothead. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Virginia waters

Season 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 · 0

The Waterlands engine isn't scoring black sea bass in any Virginia bay system in the current 14-day forecast.

Not scored in this forecast: Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA, Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA, Chesapeake Bay from Windmill Point to New Point Comfort VA, Coastal waters from Chincoteague to Parramore Island VA out 20 NM, James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge, James River from JRB to HRBT, Including the Elizabeth River, Rappahannock River from Urbanna to Windmill Point, Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA and York River.

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

VMRC saltwater regulations Buy a Virginia fishing license License types

Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Synced with VMRC Sep 20, 2026.

No reviewed black sea bass rule for Virginia is on file yet. Check with VMRC before you keep one.