There's something deeply satisfying about black sea bass. They fight hard, they're beautiful up close — all dark scales and bold markings — and when the mate cleans your catch at the end of the trip and slides a bag of fresh white fillets into your hands, you feel like you've really accomplished something. Sea bass fishing is one of those experiences that surprises people. They expect to stand around waiting. What they get instead is a rod bent double, a fish coming up from the deep, and a crew who genuinely cares whether you have the time of your life. Out here on Long Island Sound, it's one of the great joys of the season — and we'd love to take you out for it.
What's Inside
- What Is Black Sea Bass?
- When Is Sea Bass Season on Long Island?
- Where We Fish for Sea Bass
- What Makes Sea Bass Such a Great Catch
- Sea Bass Fishing at Mattituck: The Fall Wreck Trips
- What to Expect on a Sea Bass Trip with Celtic Quest
- Everything's Included — Just Show Up
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Black Sea Bass?
Black sea bass — Centropristis striata, if you want the full name — are one of the most satisfying fish in the western Atlantic. They're compact and muscular, with bold dark markings and a kind of no-nonsense attitude that you feel the moment they hit your line. They're not a delicate fish. They're built for structure — reefs, rocky bottom, ledges and ridges — and they hold tight to it right up until they decide they've had enough.
What makes them such a joy to target is that combination of personality and payoff. They're strong fighters for their size. They come up from deep water with real resistance. And when you finally get one over the rail and take a good look at it, you realize it's genuinely beautiful — something most people don't expect from a bottom fish.
Long Island Sound is excellent habitat for black sea bass. The rocky, varied bottom that runs through these waters is exactly the kind of terrain they love, and our captains have been fishing these grounds for decades. They know where the fish are. If you'd like to read more about the species itself, NOAA Fisheries has a wonderful black sea bass profile — but honestly, the best way to get acquainted with this fish is to come out and catch one yourself.
When Is Sea Bass Season on Long Island?
Sea bass are typically available from late spring through the fall at our Port Jefferson location — and at our Mattituck location, the season extends all the way through November, making it one of the longer-running species we target on Long Island Sound. Conditions vary year to year, so we always recommend checking our fishing reports for the most current picture of what's biting.
The fall is when sea bass fishing really shines. As the water cools and fish begin stacking up near structure, the action on the bottom can be outstanding. September and October are wonderful months for it — the summer crowds have thinned a bit, the weather is often beautiful, and the fishing has a sharpness to it that you don't always get in the warmer months.
Throughout the season, sea bass show up regularly in the same mixed bag as porgies on our bottom fishing trips. You might drop down and bring up a fat porgy, then turn around and pull up a black sea bass. That variety is part of what makes a day on the Sound so genuinely fun — you never quite know what's coming up next.
Specific season dates and size limits are set each year by the New York State DEC, and our crew stays fully up to date on all of that so you don't have to think about it for a second. You just come out and fish. To see what trips are currently running, take a look at our trip types and find what works for you.
Where We Fish for Sea Bass
We fish for sea bass out of two locations, and both offer something a little different depending on the time of year.
Port Jefferson is our home base — 118 West Broadway, right in the marina in the heart of Port Jefferson Village on Long Island's beautiful North Shore, about 60 miles east of New York City. Sea bass come through on our bottom fishing trips throughout the season as part of that great mixed bag. Half-day trips run four hours and give you plenty of time on the water, with full crew support from the moment you step aboard. If you're planning your visit, our directions page has everything you need for getting to Port Jefferson.
Mattituck is about 30 miles east of Port Jefferson, and this is where the fall fishing experience gets really special. We run full-day trips from Mattituck — seven in the morning out to around two in the afternoon, and a bit later once the blackfish season opens in October. These are dedicated wreck and bottom fishing trips, and sea bass are a primary target. It's a full day on the water, and the results can be remarkable.
One thing worth knowing: Long Island Sound generally offers calmer waters than ocean fishing. For anyone who's a little uncertain about their sea legs, that's genuinely good news. It makes for a comfortable day regardless of your experience level.
Both Celtic Quest IV and Celtic Grace are fully equipped for bottom fishing, with rod storage, full crew support, and fish cleaning at the end of every trip. Either boat is a wonderful platform for a day chasing sea bass.
What Makes Sea Bass Such a Great Catch
People come back for sea bass fishing year after year — and once you've done it, you understand why.
The fight. Sea bass are compact and powerful. When one takes the bait and heads back for the bottom, you feel it immediately. Even on a lighter rod, there's real resistance — a pulling, determined fight that makes landing the fish genuinely satisfying. For first-timers especially, it's an eye-opener. This isn't passive fishing. You're working for it, and it feels great when you win.
The look. These are striking fish. Bold dark markings, a strong profile, sometimes a vivid blue tinge around the face on the males — black sea bass have a real presence to them. People who've never seen one up close are consistently surprised by how impressive they are. There's a moment when you lift one over the rail and really look at it that makes you glad you came out.
The table. This is where sea bass fishing truly earns its reputation. Black sea bass are widely considered one of the finest eating fish in the Northeast — firm, white, mild, and incredibly versatile. Pan-seared, grilled, baked in a little olive oil and lemon — however you prepare them, the results are delicious. Our mates clean and bag your catch at the end of every trip, so you walk off the boat with fresh fillets ready for the kitchen.
I've seen people step off the boat after catching their very first fish, clutching a bag of fresh sea bass fillets, with a look on their faces that I never get tired of. That's the whole point, really.
Sea Bass Fishing at Mattituck: The Fall Wreck Trips
If you've never fished with us in the fall at Mattituck, this is worth knowing about — because it's one of the hidden gems of the entire season on Long Island Sound.
Starting in mid-September, we move part of our operation to Mattituck for full-day wreck and bottom fishing trips that run right through November. The target species are porgies, sea bass, and blackfish once that season opens in October. The combination of cooling water, fish concentrated on structure, and a full day on the Sound makes for an experience that serious anglers absolutely love.
Sea bass fishing at Mattituck in the fall can be outstanding. The fish are feeding actively, they're often larger than what you see earlier in the season, and the full-day format gives you real time on the water. Add porgies and blackfish to the mix and you're bringing home a genuinely impressive catch.
October can be a weather gamble — we'll always be honest about that — but when conditions cooperate, it's some of the finest fishing of the year. Private charters are available at Mattituck in the fall, so if you want to put a group together for a full-day bottom fishing trip, this is a wonderful option to explore.
What to Expect on a Sea Bass Trip with Celtic Quest
No experience needed — and we genuinely mean that. Here's how a day on the water with us typically goes:
You arrive at the dock — 118 West Broadway in Port Jefferson, or the Mattituck location depending on the trip — and our crew welcomes you aboard. Everything is already set up and waiting: rods, tackle, bait, the whole works. Once we're on the fishing grounds, the crew helps everyone get set up and going. Our mates love teaching people who are new to it, so don't hesitate to ask questions or admit it's your first time. That's what we're here for.
Then the fishing happens. Rods bend. Fish come up. The crew keeps things moving and keeps everyone having a great time. At the end of the trip, the mate cleans and bags your catch right there on the boat — no extra work required on your end.
If you'd like a fuller picture of what a day on the water actually feels like, our article What a Day on the Water in Port Jefferson Really Looks Like walks through the whole experience. And if it's your very first charter, What to Expect on Your First Fishing Charter is a great read before you head out.
Everything's Included — Just Show Up
One of the things people appreciate most about fishing with us is how simple we make it. Here's what's included in every trip:
- Fishing rods and all tackle — you don't bring anything
- All bait — handled completely by the crew
- Your New York State fishing license — included in the ticket price, no extra step required
- Expert crew guidance — for every skill level, first-timers especially welcome
- Fish cleaning and filleting — the mate takes care of it at the end of every trip
- Bags for your catch — you walk off the boat ready to cook
You bring yourself, comfortable clothes for the weather, food and drinks for the trip (beer and wine are welcome, hard liquor isn't), and maybe a light layer depending on the season. That's it. Our article on what to pack for a day on the water has a complete, easy list if you want to check it before you come out.
Ready to get on the water? Book your trip here or give us a call at (631) 928-3926. We're happy to help you find the right trip and answer any questions you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sea bass season in New York?
Sea bass are typically available from late spring through the fall at our Port Jefferson location, with the season extending through November at our Mattituck location. Exact open and close dates are set annually by New York State — our crew stays fully current on all regulations so you never have to worry about it. For the official dates and rules, the New York State DEC publishes updated information each season.
Are black sea bass good to eat?
They are genuinely excellent. Black sea bass are considered one of the finest eating fish in the Northeast — firm white flesh, mild flavor, and wonderfully versatile in the kitchen. Pan-seared, grilled, baked — they hold up beautifully to just about any preparation. Our mates fillet and bag your catch at the end of every trip, so you go home ready to cook.
Do I need fishing experience to catch sea bass on a charter?
Not at all. Our crew takes care of everything — tackle, bait, setup, and all the guidance you need right there on the water. We love introducing people to fishing for the first time, and the bottom fishing style we use for sea bass is approachable and rewarding even if you've never held a rod. Just show up and we'll take care of the rest.
Does Celtic Quest fish for sea bass at both Port Jefferson and Mattituck?
Yes. Sea bass come through on our bottom fishing trips throughout the season at our Port Jefferson home base, and at our Mattituck location we run dedicated full-day wreck and bottom trips from mid-September through November where sea bass are a primary target. Both locations offer a wonderful experience — the fall Mattituck trips are especially memorable for anglers who want a full day on the Sound chasing serious bottom fish.
Is a fishing license included when I book a sea bass trip?
Yes — your New York State fishing license is included in the price of every Celtic Quest trip. It's one less thing to think about. You're fully covered the moment you step aboard.
What other species might I catch on a sea bass bottom fishing trip?
Sea bass are often part of a terrific mixed bag on our bottom fishing trips. Porgies are a very common companion species throughout the season. At Mattituck in the fall, blackfish (tautog) join the mix once their season opens in October. You might also encounter bluefish or weakfish depending on the time of year and conditions. That variety is a big part of what makes a day of bottom fishing on Long Island Sound so enjoyable.
Can I keep the sea bass I catch?
Yes, as long as your fish meet the current size and bag limit requirements set by New York State. Our crew monitors regulations carefully and will let you know exactly what's keepable on the day of your trip. For current official rules, the New York State DEC publishes updated regulations each season. Everything that's legal to keep, we'll clean and bag for you before you head home.
Questions? Give us a call at (631) 928-3926 or send us a note at Office@CQFleet.com. We'd love to help you plan a great day on the water.
