When black sea bass are around Chincoteague
Black sea bass fishing out of Chincoteague is a summer bottom fishery on wrecks and reef structure, run from Chincoteague Inlet. This guide covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, the structure that holds them, how the fishery works here, and who fishes for them out of this port. For the wider coast, see the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the wider Atlantic Northeast guide.
Sea bass are a summer fish, per chincoteague.com. An older FishingBooker page lists a February winter harvest window. That listing is out of date and shouldn’t be read as a current rule; the Regulations section below points to current seasons. The reasons the fish move through the year are covered in the black sea bass guide.
Where boats run and the structure that holds them
Boats run in two tiers from Chincoteague Inlet. Nearshore wrecks sit out to about 15 miles, per Reel Freedom. Offshore wrecks sit about 25 miles out, per Salt Addict. The grounds below are listed in order of distance, the way you would plan waypoints, and they are the named structure you would mark on your chart. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Name | Position or distance | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfish Bank Reef (subway car patch) | About 5.5 miles offshore | 65 ft |
| Menhaden vessel wrecks (probable) | Within Blackfish Bank Reef | |
| Large unidentified wreck | About 1,200 yards northwest of the reef’s northwest corner | |
| P. J. Hooper wreck | North of the inlet, around the point | |
| Unidentified wreck, north side of channel | On the way out of Chincoteague Inlet toward the state reef | |
| Parking Lot | 25 miles off the beach | |
| Big steel barge | Near the center of the Parking Lot | |
| Sub wreck | East of the 28-foot lump | |
| Little Hill | Named locally |
Blackfish Bank Reef
The subway car patch sits at 65 ft, about 5.5 miles offshore, per FishTalk. It is part of Virginia’s Blackfish Bank Reef, the state reef.
Wrecks around the reef
The probable menhaden vessel wrecks lie within the reef. A large unidentified wreck sits about 1,200 yards northwest of the reef’s northwest corner.
Wrecks near the inlet
The P. J. Hooper wreck lies north of the inlet, around the point. An unidentified wreck sits on the north side of the channel, on the way out of Chincoteague Inlet toward the state reef. Both are short runs, within range of 20 to 28 ft boats.
The Parking Lot and the steel barge
The Parking Lot is 25 miles off the beach, and the big steel barge lies near its center. Whether to make the run depends on wind, wave height and period from the official forecast. If you are weighing the run against booking a captain, the charter section below lists who fishes this port.
Sub wreck and Little Hill
The sub wreck east of the 28-foot lump often holds sea bass. Little Hill is a locally named ground.
How it is fished here
Locals fish wreck bottom with squid or clam bait, dropping to the structure and working the bottom. For general wreck and bottom technique, see the reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them out of Chincoteague
Three local charters list black sea bass.
| Charter | Boats |
|---|---|
| Huntress Charters | 24 ft Carolina Skiff, 25 ft Carolina Skiff, 34 ft Venture center console |
| Salt Addict LLC | 36 ft Cape Horn offshore boat, 24 ft Carolina Skimmer inshore boat |
| Reel Freedom Charters LLC | 28 ft Triton center console with outriggers, 6 passengers |
Salt Addict runs the 36 ft Cape Horn offshore to the wrecks about 25 miles out and the 24 ft Skimmer inshore. Reel Freedom fishes nearshore wrecks out to about 15 miles. Together they give a rough yardstick for matching your own boat to the run.
FAQ: black sea bass fishing out of Chincoteague
How far is Blackfish Bank Reef from Chincoteague?
About 5.5 miles offshore, per FishTalk. The subway car patch sits at 65 ft.
When are black sea bass around Chincoteague?
Summer. A February winter harvest window appears only on an older listing. Check the Virginia regulations page for current seasons.
What bait do locals use for sea bass?
Squid or clam, fished on the bottom over wrecks.
How far out are the offshore wrecks?
About 25 miles, including the Parking Lot, with its big steel barge near the center. Nearshore wrecks run out to about 15 miles.
Do I need a charter to fish the Chincoteague wrecks?
That depends on your boat and your comfort with the run. Huntress, Salt Addict and Reel Freedom list sea bass, with boats from 24 ft to 36 ft. The official forecast’s wind, wave height and period should drive the decision.
Where do I find the sea bass rules?
Start with the VMRC rules through the Virginia regulations page, plus the federal rules for fish taken outside state waters. Check both before you fish.
