Black Sea Bass

Groton, Connecticut, and its surrounding waters offer excellent opportunities for black sea bass. These bottom-dwelling fish are abundant in the rocky reefs and wrecks of Long Island Sound. The best time to target them is from late spring through fall. Focus your efforts around structure in depths of 40 to 100 feet. A standard bottom fishing rig with a baited hook or a jig tipped with squid or clams is effective. Pay attention to water conditions; sea bass often prefer cooler, clearer water. The numerous charter boats operating out of Groton provide excellent access to offshore sea bass hotspots. For those with their own boats, the Thames River and Fishers Island Sound are good starting points. Black sea bass in this area are known for their good size, with many fish exceeding three pounds. Be mindful of regulations regarding size and bag limits.