When black sea bass are around Fernandina Beach
Black sea bass fishing out of Fernandina Beach runs year-round on the closer wrecks. This guide lists named structure, depths, positions and run distances out of Marys Inlet so you can decide where to drop. For the inlet and the other species fished from this port, see the Fernandina Beach port overview. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
Running out of Marys Inlet
Boats leave through Marys Inlet, which the St. Marys Entrance Coast Pilot covers in detail. Two bands frame the trip from this port:
- Inside band: nearshore wrecks and artificial reefs, 15 to 25 miles out. This is where the bottom work happens.
- Outer limit: the Gulf Stream temperature break and weed lines, 100-1000 ft, 50 to 70-plus miles out of the inlet.
Grounds and structure off Fernandina Beach
The named structure in the 15 to 25 mile band runs from about 60 to 83 ft. Sites are listed below shallowest first. The same structure holds other reef species, covered in the reef fish guides.
Chart layers are not for navigation. Positions here are for planning, and approximate positions are marked "about." Depth contours around these sites appear in the Chart Contours layer.
| Site | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| FB-6 culverts site | 60 | About 30 39.9 N, 81 11.0 W |
| BA reef sites (BA Reef, BA Site) | 60-65 | |
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#01) artificial reef | 67 | 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W |
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#02) artificial reef | 67 | |
| Fernandina Banks Barbett (wooden boat) and 1989 culverts | 70 | About 30 36.6 N, 81 10.6 W |
| Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts (FC sites, 1988 to 1991) | 70-83 | Concrete culverts at about 30 36 to 30 38.7 N, 81 11 W |
FB-6 culverts
This culverts site sits at 60 ft, about 30 39.9 N, 81 11.0 W. It is the shallowest and northernmost position in the table.
BA reef sites
BA Reef and BA Site are artificial reef structure at 60-65 ft.
Captain Daddy reefs
Both Captain Daddy reefs sit at 67 ft. CD-06-#01 is at 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W, and the FWC artificial reef list carries the official entries. CD-06-#02 is the second reef in the pair.
Barbett and 1989 culverts
The Fernandina Banks Barbett (wooden boat) and 1989 culverts sit at 70 ft, about 30 36.6 N, 81 10.6 W.
Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts
The FC sites were placed from 1988 to 1991. They are concrete culverts at 70-83 ft, at about 30 36 to 30 38.7 N, 81 11 W.
The Ledge
The Ledge is a named ground near Fernandina Beach, fished as offshore bottom structure.
How black sea bass are fished here
Bottom rigs are the local method on this structure. For general rigging and biology, see our black sea bass guide.
Who fishes for black sea bass out of Fernandina Beach
These Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach charters list black sea bass:
- Pipe Dream Charters, Captain Scott Thompson
- Big Fin Charters
- BeatTheOddz Charters, Captain Kenny
Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo
The Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo is held in Fernandina Beach, usually in May.
FAQ: black sea bass out of Fernandina Beach
When is black sea bass fishing out of Fernandina Beach?
Black sea bass are fished year-round on the closer wrecks off Fernandina Beach. That timing applies to the closer wrecks only.
How far do boats run for black sea bass?
Boats run 15 to 25 miles out of Marys Inlet to nearshore wrecks and artificial reefs. The Gulf Stream break is much farther out, at 50 to 70-plus miles.
What depths hold the named structure?
The named structure sits at about 60 to 83 ft. The FB-6 culverts and BA reef sites are at 60-65 ft. The Captain Daddy reefs, the Barbett and 1989 culverts, and the Snapper Banks culverts are at 67-83 ft.
Which reefs are near Fernandina Beach?
Named grounds are the Captain Daddy reefs, the Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts, the Barbett and 1989 culverts, FB-6, the BA reef sites and The Ledge.
What rig and which charters?
Bottom rigs are the local method. Charters listing black sea bass are Pipe Dream Charters (Captain Scott Thompson), Big Fin Charters and BeatTheOddz Charters (Captain Kenny).
