UTERBlack sea bass fishing in Gulf of Maine fishing
In Gulf of Maine fishing, black sea bass are around July–October but never at the peak of their run, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: A warming-water newcomer — sea bass now turn up in Massachusetts Bay and southern Maine on the rocks.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Black sea bass in Gulf of Maine fishing, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyAround
- AugustAroundA warming-water newcomer — sea bass now turn up in Massachusetts Bay and southern Maine on the rocks.
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish black sea bass near Boston, Gloucester, Newburyport
Cold, deep, rocky water: Massachusetts Bay and Stellwagen Bank, the North Shore beaches and Plum Island, the Merrimack and Piscataqua rivers, the Isles of Shoals and Jeffreys Ledge, and the long ragged Maine coast of rocky points, islands and tidal rivers (Saco, Kennebec, Penobscot) out to Platts Bank and Tillies.
Fish Scouter charts 361 wreck, 2 ledge / hard bottom spots in the The Gulf of Maine map area — the kinds black sea bass hold on.
What to use for black sea bass
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 52–78°F water, best at 58–72°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch black sea bass in Gulf of Maine fishing?
Black sea bass are in Gulf of Maine fishing July–October, but the calendar never marks a peak here. August: A warming-water newcomer — sea bass now turn up in Massachusetts Bay and southern Maine on the rocks.
Where do black sea bass hold in Gulf of Maine fishing?
Look on artificial reef, ledge / hard bottom, wreck — around Boston, Gloucester, Newburyport, Portsmouth, Portland, Boothbay.
What is the best bait for black sea bass in Gulf of Maine fishing?
Live bait: squid, live shrimp. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about black sea bass · The Gulf of Maine, the whole year