Black sea bass fishing out of Sheepshead Bay runs June through September, with boats working reefs and wrecks on the bottom with clams and squid. Rockaway Reef sits 4.2 nautical miles south southeast of Rockaway Inlet, a short run from the piers. For inlet and port detail, see the Sheepshead Bay port guide. This page covers when the fish are here, where boats run, how deep they fish, what bait they use and who is out there. For the wider coast, see the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the wider Atlantic Northeast guide.
When black sea bass are here
The window is June through September. For biology and migration, read the black sea bass species guide.
| Window | Where it applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| June through September | Sheepshead Bay fleet | Marilyn Jean |
| Opens sometime in June, holds until serious fall cold snaps | Rockaway Reef | The Fisherman |
Season window
Per Marilyn Jean, sea bass are here June through September, which is the stretch the local fleet fishes them.
Late season at Rockaway Reef
At Rockaway Reef the season opens sometime in June and holds until serious cold snaps in the fall. Cold water ends it, not a date on the calendar.
Where boats run from Sheepshead Bay
The nearest named ground is 4.2 nautical miles out. Everything else the local boats work is nearshore bottom or unnamed structure.
| Ground | Distance or depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rockaway Reef (Rockaway Artificial Reef) | 4.2 nm SSE of Rockaway Inlet, about 30 ft | Reef listing |
| Rockaway Beach and New Jersey coast grounds | No figure | Marilyn Jean |
| New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook and Coney Island bottom | 20 to 50 ft depending on area | Marilyn Jean |
| Unnamed wrecks and reefs | No figure | Explorer |
Chart layers are not for navigation. Use official charts and the NWS forecast for the run.
Rockaway Reef
Rockaway Reef, also listed as the Rockaway Artificial Reef listing, sits 4.2 nautical miles south southeast of Rockaway Inlet in about 30 ft. It is the closest named structure to the port.
Rockaway Beach and the New Jersey coast
Marilyn Jean runs to Rockaway Beach and New Jersey coast grounds.
Inshore bottom from the Harbor to Sandy Hook
Marilyn Jean also fishes bottom in New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook and Coney Island. The operator puts depth at 20 to 50 ft depending on area.
Wrecks and reefs
Explorer fishes wrecks and reefs it does not name, so expect structure rather than a single published mark.
How black sea bass are fished out of Sheepshead Bay
The local method is to put bait on the bottom over structure. For tackle and technique beyond that, see our guide to reef and wreck fishing.
Bottom fishing on structure
Per Explorer, boats bottom fish reefs and wrecks. The fish sit on the structure, so the bait goes there.
Bait
Locally, sea bass are bottom fished on reefs and wrecks with clams and squid.
Depth
Reef fishing depth is 30 to 40 ft, per The Fisherman. Rockaway Reef itself is listed at about 30 ft, and the Marilyn Jean inshore bottom runs 20 to 50 ft.
Sea bass on fluke trips
Capt. Dave III fluke trips report many short sea bass. These are incidental catches on trips that target fluke, but they show sea bass sit on the same summer bottom. The targeted local approach is reef and wreck structure with clams and squid.
Who fishes them out of this port
The operators below work the same water in different ways, and their boat sizes, grounds and bait are a useful model for planning your own trip.
Capt. Dave III
Captain Dave III Fishing runs Capt. Dave III, a 95-foot steel vessel, per the operator site. Its fluke trips report many short sea bass.
Marilyn Jean fleet
Marilyn Jean Fishing runs Marilyn Jean IV (70-foot), Marilyn Jean V and Captain’s Lady. It fishes June through September, running to Rockaway Beach and the New Jersey coast, plus bottom in New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook and Coney Island in 20 to 50 ft. The Marilyn Jean IV party boat anchors that fleet.
Explorer
Explorer Fishing runs an 85-foot fiberglass super cruiser built in 1995, with a 30-man bunk room. It fishes wrecks and reefs with clams and squid. Its operator site (explorerfishing.com) is listed for sale, and its operating status is unclear.
Gypsea
Gypsea Charters (Gypsea Fishing Fleet) runs Gypsea II and Lil’ Gypsea. Lil’ Gypsea is 35 feet and takes up to 6 private passengers, which makes it the closest in scale to a private boat.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Sheepshead Bay
How far is Rockaway Reef from Sheepshead Bay?
Rockaway Reef sits 4.2 nautical miles south southeast of Rockaway Inlet.
How deep is Rockaway Reef?
The reef is listed at about 30 ft. Reef fishing runs 30 to 40 ft, per The Fisherman.
What months are best for sea bass here?
June through September. At Rockaway Reef the season holds until serious fall cold snaps.
What bait do local boats use?
Clams and squid, fished on the bottom over reefs and wrecks.
Which boats fish for sea bass out of Sheepshead Bay?
Capt. Dave III, the Marilyn Jean fleet and Gypsea. Explorer is also listed, but its operating status is unclear.
