Facts about the Black Sea Bass

Learn basic facts and information about the bottom-feeding saltwater fish called black sea bass.

By Corey PollnowJune 19, 2026

Black sea bass are one of the most popular saltwater species to catch and eat in the Northeast. They are not as popular as other bottom fish, like fluke or tautog, but they are prized for their aggressiveness and their firm, white fillets that take well to a variety of presentations.

Read more about how to catch black sea bass.

➤What do black sea bass look like?

Male sea bass develop a prominent hump and bluish-teal streaks during the spring spawning season.

Black sea bass have range from deep-purple to tan, depending on the time of year and location where they were caught. During the spring spawning season, the dominant male sea bass develop a hump on their head and have vibrant-blue streaks along their dark, black bodies.

When feeding over sandy shoals in summer, sea bass can take on a pale, tan color.

Sea bass have large heads and mouths, and large fins, with a tall, sharp dorsal fin. Their bodies are short and stout, made for quick bursts of speed, not long distance swimming at high speeds. They have small teeth for grabbing and holding baitfish and invertebrates, not for cutting and slicing.

➤Where do black sea bass live?

Adult black sea bass can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, from the Gulf of Maine to the Florida Keys. Sea bass move inshore in the spring to spawn, and spend the summer on structure from 30 to 100 feet deep. In the late fall, sea bass migrate to offshore structure, such as wrecks or reefs from Virginia to New York, holding in 150 to 250 feet of water until spring.

Sea bass prefer “hard structure” like reefs or wrecks, but will congregate over sandy shoals when baitfish like sand eels or squid are abundant.

In recent years, black sea bass have become more common in the Gulf of Maine.

Young black sea bass live in backwaters or estuaries to feed and avoid being eaten by predators.

➤What do black sea bass eat?

Adult sea bass are aggressive, opportunistic feeders, eating a wide variety of crustaceans, fishes, mollusks, and worms. Sea bass are often blamed for feeding heavily on juvenile lobsters. They’ll also eat sand eels, squid, and small crabs. At times, sea bass have been observed chasing baitfish to the surface, though this is rare.

A small crab lodged inside the mouth of a black sea bass.

➤How big do black sea bass get?

The IGFA All-Tackle World Record Black Sea Bass weighed 10 pounds, 4 ounces, and was caught off Virginia in January 2000. Most adult sea bass reach sizes of 4 pounds, if they are not caught and kept first. Any sea bass over 5 pounds is considered large by recreational fishermen.

➤What do black sea bass taste like?

Many fishermen consider sea bass to be the best eating northeast inshore fish. Their meat is tender, translucent, breaks into small flakes, and is mild in flavor. Sea bass are not an oily fish and they can be cooked in a variety of ways.

Black sea bass have white, flaky fillets that take well to a variety of presentations.

➤What is the scientific name for black sea bass?

The scientific name for black sea bass is Centropristis striata. They’re members of the Serranidae family, which also includes grouper.

Black sea bass are members of the Serranidae family.

➤Why do black sea bass change sexes?

All sea bass are born females, but when they become 2-to-5 years old, and 9-to-13 inches in length, some change sexes, and become males. It is unclear why the sex change occurs, but there is some scientific research suggesting the lack of males in a local spawning group may be the cause. The change happens during the fall and winter after sea bass finish spawning.

➤When do black sea bass spawn?

Studies have shown that in New England, black sea bass females produce up to 500,000 eggs during the spring spawning season. The eggs float in the water for several days before turning into larvae.

There are two stocks of sea bass; a northern and southern stock.