The firm, delicious flesh of sea bass, also known as black rockfish or black snapper, makes it a popular choice for anglers. When caught on light tackle, sea bass provide a high-action, vigorous fight to the surface. Because they are bottom feeders that live in saltwater, sea bass are best caught from a boat.
Location
On the West Coast, sea bass are prevalent from central California up through Alaska. Off the coast of Washington State, some of the best sea bass fishing is found in Neah Bay, off the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula, where they are plentiful enough to easily catch your limit. Though an ocean fish, sea bass stay relatively close to the shore, making for an easy charter trip for kids and families. Sea bass can be caught year-round but most charter companies only offer sea bass fishing from May to early October.
Methods
Sea bass can be caught several ways, including bottom bouncing, drift fishing and saltwater jigging. Bottom bouncing is nearly always an appropriate method and involves dropping a lure from a drifting or trolling boat, allowing it to bounce along the muddy or sandy bottom. Drift fishing covers several types of habitats, as the boat drifts with the wind and current. Use live bait, jigs or artificial bait at different levels to attract the sea bass. For saltwater jigging, use a bucktail or vertical jig, baited or not, allowing it to drift to the bottom before rapidly bringing it back up, twitching the rod tip as you draw it up.
Gear
Sea bass make great sport when caught with light tackle because they will put up a vigorous fight the whole way. They are tempted by live or artificial bait, jigs and lures. Crabs make good bait, either alive or in chunks, as do shrimp or bait fish. Cut bait is also an effective choice, which attracts by scent rather than look or movement. Jigs or lures, either with or without bait attached, work especially well for bottom bouncing and saltwater jigging.
Charters
Washington State is home to numerous fishing charter companies, which may be your best bet if you don't have your own boat. Charter companies will provide you with the appropriate gear, can accommodate groups and will usually clean and bag your catch. Some Washington charters that offer sea bass excursions include All-Ways Fishing and Top Notch Ocean Charters.
Considerations
Whether you plan to fish on your own or with a charter company, you will need to purchase a state fishing license, which is available at sports retailers. Charter trips for sea bass average about eight hours and you will likely be responsible for bringing your own food and drinks. Also, be sure to bring warm clothing, including foul weather gear, as Washington State's climate is variable and often wet, even during the summer months.
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