Black sea bass fishing out of Stonington runs July and August, in 35 to 40 feet of water off Latimer Light and around Ram Island Reef. Boats leaving Stonington work bottom-bouncers with jigs sweetened with a small strip of squid. The grounds, the rig and the two charters that list sea bass are below. 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 around Stonington
Sea bass are the July and August fish here. The bottom is worked in about 35 feet, and that depth is the yardstick for every ground below. A spot much shallower or deeper than 35 feet is a different kind of water.
The species guide covers how sea bass behave on structure, so this page covers only the local window and the local grounds.
- Window: July and August
- Working depth: about 35 ft
- Core water: 35 to 40 ft off Latimer Light and around Ram Island Reef
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
Boats work 35 to 40 feet of water off Latimer Light and around Ram Island Reef. New England Boating puts the fish there in July and August.
Sea bass fishing is described at the first two grounds below. The rest are other named structure within reach of the port, each measured against that 35 ft mark. For the broader reef-fishing picture, start with the reef fish guides. The named reefs also read more clearly with Chart Contours on, though chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Latimer Light and Latimer Reef | 35 ft (35 to 40 ft off the light) | Described sea bass water |
| Ram Island Reef | 35 ft | Described sea bass water |
| Watch Hill Reef | Reef complex, within an hour’s run | |
| Sugar Reef | Within reach of Stonington Marina’s slips | |
| Noyes Shoal | 10 ft | Far shallower than sea bass depth |
| Middle Ground | July and August bluefish ground | |
| The Race | Tidal passage near Stonington Harbor | |
| Fishers Island, south side | Isabella Beach area |
Latimer Light and Latimer Reef
This is the primary ground. The reef sits in 35 ft, and the sea bass water New England Boating describes runs 35 to 40 ft off the light.
Ram Island Reef
Ram Island Reef is 35 ft. Sea bass fishing is described around the reef, in the same July and August window.
Watch Hill Reef
Watch Hill Reef is a reef complex within an hour’s run of Stonington, per Lauren B Charters. It is named structure in reach of the port, not a described sea bass ground.
Sugar Reef
Stonington Marina names Sugar Reef as within reach of its slips. Check its depth against your 35 ft target.
Noyes Shoal
Noyes Shoal is 10 ft, far shallower than the 35 ft where sea bass are worked. It is structure to know about, not water to fish for them.
The Race
The Race is a tidal passage near Stonington Harbor. It is a named landmark in this water, not a described sea bass ground.
Fishers Island, south side
The Isabella Beach area on the south side of Fishers Island is named structure near Stonington.
Middle Ground
Middle Ground is named as a July and August bluefish ground, not a sea bass spot.
Black sea bass fishing out of Stonington: how it is fished
Local anglers fish bottom-bouncers with jigs sweetened with a small strip of squid, in about 35 feet. New England Boating describes the method for this water.
The bottom-bouncer keeps the jig down where the fish hold. The squid strip is small and goes on the jig as a sweetener rather than a full bait.
- Rig: bottom-bouncer
- Terminal tackle: jig
- Sweetener: a small strip of squid
- Depth: about 35 ft
Who fishes for black sea bass out of Stonington
Two local charters list black sea bass: Double Trouble Sportfishing and Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures.
Double Trouble Sportfishing
Double Trouble Sportfishing runs "Double Down," a 2004 32 ft Topaz licensed for 6 passengers.
Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures
Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures runs "Kristin Lea," a 2007 Triumph 195cc with a Yamaha 115 hp outboard.
FAQ
When is black sea bass season out of Stonington?
Black sea bass fishing out of Stonington runs July and August, the window New England Boating describes for the local bottom fishing.
What depth do sea bass hold in near Stonington?
Sea bass are fished in 35 to 40 feet of water off Latimer Light. Latimer Reef and Ram Island Reef sit at about 35 feet, per New England Boating.
Where do boats run for sea bass?
Boats run off Latimer Light and around Ram Island Reef. Other named structure, such as Watch Hill Reef and Sugar Reef, is within reach of the port but is not described as sea bass ground.
What rig do local anglers use?
Anglers use bottom-bouncers with jigs sweetened with a small strip of squid, fished in about 35 feet of water.
Which Stonington charters list black sea bass?
Double Trouble Sportfishing runs "Double Down," and Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures runs "Kristin Lea." Both list black sea bass.
