Kayak Fishing for Black Sea Bass

By: Guyton Thorne

Here in New England, fishing for black sea bass is considered a "rite of spring" activity for many anglers. Black sea bass, or Centropristis Striata, is a ray-finned fish species in the same family as groupers. They are distinct-looking fish, dark blue and black. During the breeding season, the males develop a pronounced hump on their heads, giving them their nickname, "knotheads," with bright, almost fluorescent teal colors around their eyes and nape. Found along the western Atlantic Ocean, black sea bass is an important species for commercial harvest and recreational fishing. 

Black sea bass season heats up around mid-May, consistent with the season-opening here in Massachusetts. Typically, black sea bass don't venture too close to my local fishery north of Boston, so I travel to Rhode Island or Cape Cod to target them. Aside from being fun to catch, black sea bass is incredibly delicious.

Historically, Buzzards Bay has been a popular spot for targeting black sea bass. However, recent pressure and irresponsible boat launch activity have caused the closure of several popular launch areas. It is a reminder to all of us to park legally and leave boat launches better than we found them - always take care of your trash and leftover fish carcasses.

Fishing for black sea bass is simple. There are a few different ways to target them. I prefer to jig, which requires a decent jigging setup. I use a 5-foot jigging rod and a small conventional reel. I run 50 lbs braided line to a 25 or 30 lbs fluoro leader.

I pedal or motor up against the current or the wind beyond the targeted area from a kayak. Drifting over the structure while casting and jigging is key. If you're fishing from an Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot, spot-lock your kayak over the structure you desire to target.  

Though all sorts of lures work, I generally only use three lures: a 2-inch 1.5 oz Hogy epoxy jig in pink and white, a 1 oz bucktail jig with a scented swimming mullet gulp trailer, or a larger pink soft plastic lure. My preferred lure is the epoxy jig - I usually catch my limit well before considering a lure change!

When jigging for knotheads, let your jig or lure drop to the bottom. They are aggressive feeders. Often, I'll hook one as my jig descends or after the first few jigs on the bottom. If they don't strike your lure, jig your lure as you crank it to the surface since the fish sometimes suspend at different depths. And it is not uncommon to catch a scup or fluke while jigging for black sea bass - I consider that a tasty bonus! 

Some anglers fish for black sea bass using live bait. Though live bait increases catch rates for other species, I have found artificial lures to be effective without the mess. However, if you'd like to target knotheads with live bait, green crabs or sea worms rigged on high-low rigs or a single hook with a 1-2oz bank sinker is effective.  

Fishing for black sea bass tends to be a social event and is part of why I love fishing for this species. Groups of boat and kayak anglers closely hover over the bottom structure and use a stationary or a drift jigging technique to catch them. Given the proximity to each other, the air is full of equal parts cheering and trash-talking.  

Black sea bass is an easy-to-catch species that makes for delicious table fare. And with with liberal catch limits it's not uncommon to return home with a cooler full of fish. In addition, these fish are a ton of fun to target from a kayak and make for an excellent introduction into nearshore saltwater angling.