When is the best time of year to catch (fill in the blank) fish? That’s one of our most common questions and we built a page just for it! This page shows seasonal information about each fish we can catch out of Port Canaveral. This guide combines Sea Leveler’s detailed catch records and fishing reports with Captain Greg’s 30+ years of local fishing experience. Select Offshore, Nearshore or Long Range and then select the fish you want to view.
Black Sea Bass
Small bottom fish and ferocious feeding action.
Offshore
Black sea bass are dark bottom fish with a fan-shaped tail. Large males can develop a greenish bump on their heads. They are eager feeders and excellent eating.
Trip options
Half-day offshore · ¾-day offshore · Full-day offshore
Fishing techniques
Small pieces of cut bait on a chicken rig while targeting several smaller bottom-fish species.
Ideal conditions
Reefs or other structure with clear water, little current, and actively feeding bottom fish. Summer schools of cigar minnows can provide good opportunities.
Typical size
1–2 pounds
Edibility
Excellent
The season at a glance…
Black sea bass are possible year-round on mixed offshore bottom-fishing trips. Our historical trip data and reports show stronger opportunities in February–March, May–June, and September. A full day gives the captain more time to work productive structure with chicken rigs; a 3/4 day can also offer opportunities, while this style of fishing happens less often on a half day.
Seasonal strength: 1 = lower opportunity · 5 = stronger opportunity · Closed = seasonal closure shown in our calendar, however regulations change and closures can happen earlier after catch quotas are filled. Ratings compare months for each fish. They are not catch percentages or guarantees.
Based on Sea Leveler’s catch records, fishing reports, and Captain Greg’s 30+ years of experience fishing Port Canaveral. Weather, water conditions, and bait movement affect the bite each day. Harvest regulations can change; your captain confirms what may be kept.
01
Setting the Baits
The captain positions the boat near reefs or other structure and prepares chicken rigs with small pieces of cut bait. He shows you how to lower the rig to the bottom and stay ready for a bite.
02
The Bite and Retrieve
You feel for the bite and follow the captain’s coaching on when to reel. Black sea bass are eager feeders, and an active school can give you repeated opportunities. You may also bring up other bottom fish sharing the structure.
03
At the Boat
The captain identifies your catch and checks which fish can be harvested. Fish eligible for harvest go on ice, and others are released. He helps rebait your rig for another drop.
Sea bass are ferocious feeders. If they’re around, they’re usually going to bite. Little current and clear water make for great fishing, and summer schools of cigar minnows can make it a good time to target them. They’re excellent eating and another reason I enjoy chicken-rig fishing. — Capt Greg