Black sea bass fishing out of Chatham runs early June through August, from about 20 ft in Nantucket Sound to wrecks 25 miles out. This guide covers when the fish are around, where boats run and how far, how the fish are fished, and who fishes them. For the port-wide picture of inlets and conditions, start with Chatham. For the wider coast, see the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide.
When black sea bass are around Chatham
Black sea bass are around Chatham early June through August, per the Chatham Chamber. The window is short and sits between the spring tautog fishing and the late-summer tuna and bonito fishing out of the same port.
Our black sea bass guide covers the fish itself. This page covers the port.
The season window
| Part of the season | Window |
|---|---|
| Start | Early June |
| End | August |
| Tournament | Monomoy Shootout, usually August |
Where boats run for black sea bass fishing out of Chatham
The water splits in two. The Sound is the inshore water, and the outside runs go east and southeast toward the offshore points. The table lists the named grounds and reference points near Chatham, ordered near to far where distances are known.
| Ground | Type | Distance/position from Chatham | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harwich artificial reef | Artificial reef | South of Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, Nantucket Sound | |
| Monomoy rips | Rips | ||
| Crab Ledge | Named ground | About 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet | |
| Regal Sword | Wreck | About 25 miles southeast | 210 ft |
| BB | Reference point, buoy removed | Due east of Nantucket, about 40 miles from Monomoy | 200 ft |
| BC | Reference point, buoy removed | Basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes | |
| Nauset | Marsh and inlet tuna ground | North up the beach from Chatham |
Mark these as waypoints on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nantucket Sound and the Harwich reef
Down East fishes jumbo sea bass with light tackle and jigs in Nantucket Sound, which defines the inshore fishery.
The Harwich artificial reef sits south of Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, in Nantucket Sound. It is the closest named piece of bottom on this list.
Monomoy rips
The Monomoy rips are a local ground off Chatham.
Crab Ledge
Crab Ledge is a named ground about 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet.
Offshore reference points
The Regal Sword is a wreck in 210 ft of water, about 25 miles southeast of Chatham, per The Fisherman. BB sits due east of Nantucket, about 40 miles from Monomoy, in 200 ft. BC sits basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes. The BB and BC buoys have been removed, so treat both as reference points.
Nauset
Nauset is a marsh and inlet tuna ground north up the beach from Chatham. It matters here as context for the outside run. It is not a sea bass ground on this list.
How black sea bass are fished out of Chatham
The local methods are light-tackle jigs and squid high-low rigs drifted over bottom in about 20 ft. Down East fishes the Sound that way. For general technique, see our reef and structure fishing guides.
Light-tackle jigs
Down East fishes jumbo sea bass with light tackle and jigs in Nantucket Sound.
Squid high-low rigs
Squid high-low rigs are drifted over bottom. Squid is the bait, and the rig holds it just off the bottom.
Drifting bottom in about 20 ft
Both methods are drifted over bottom in about 20 ft. The boat covers ground while the rig stays near the structure.
| Method | Where it is used | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Light-tackle jigs | Nantucket Sound | About 20 ft |
| Squid high-low rigs | Drifted over bottom | About 20 ft |
Who fishes for black sea bass out of Chatham
Charters
These Chatham fishing charters list black sea bass:
- Down East Charters trip list and Outermost Harbor Marine fishing charters: both list the same 2 boats, the F/V Rainmaker, a 33 ft Grady White Canyon, and the F/V Isla Grace, a 26 ft Regulator.
- Monomoy Sportfishing charter details: 32 ft Andros center console, up to 6 passengers, Capt. Darren.
- Liveliner Sportfishing charter trips: 28 ft Grady White with twin 150 HP Honda engines.
- Got Stryper Charters: captains based from Sandwich to Chatham.
The Monomoy Shootout
The Monomoy Shootout is a tournament out of Chatham that includes black sea bass. It is usually held in August.
FAQ
When is black sea bass season in Chatham?
Black sea bass fishing out of Chatham runs early June through August, per the Chatham Chamber.
How far is Crab Ledge from Chatham Inlet?
About 6 miles east.
What depth do Chatham anglers fish for sea bass?
About 20 ft, drifting over bottom. The Regal Sword sits in 210 ft, about 25 miles southeast.
What rigs are used for sea bass out of Chatham?
Light-tackle jigs and squid high-low rigs, drifted over bottom.
Which Chatham fishing charters target sea bass?
Down East Charters, Outermost Harbor Marine, Got Stryper Charters, Monomoy Sportfishing and Liveliner Sportfishing.
When is the Monomoy Shootout?
Usually August.
