Black sea bass fishing out of Highlands runs in two windows, spring and late fall, on ocean grounds off Atlantic Highlands. This guide covers when the party boats fish, the 48 to 105 ft depth band the local fleet works, and the named structure: Sandy Hook Reef, the V.L. Keegan, the Pocono and Shrewsbury Rocks. It also covers how the boats fish it and which ones target sea bass. For the biology and migration picture, read the black sea bass guide. For the harbor and the rest of the local water, see Highlands. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast region guide.
When black sea bass are around Highlands
Boats out of Highlands fish sea bass in two windows, set by the spring opener and the late fall season. The party boat schedules mark both.
| Window | Start | End | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Party boats start in April, sea bass from the mid-May opener | Mid-June | Local party boats |
| Late fall | Mid-November season opening | Early January | Sea Tiger II |
Spring: April start, mid-May opener into mid-June
Party boats start their season in April and fish sea bass from the mid-May opener into mid-June.
Late fall: mid-November through early January
Sea Tiger II lists sea bass bottom fishing from the mid-November season opening through early January, which is the late fall season for this port.
Where boats run
Boats here fish ocean grounds off Atlantic Highlands. Captain Ron’s reports describe fishing spots across a 48 to 105 ft depth band.
- Band: 48 to 105 ft.
- Area: ocean grounds off Atlantic Highlands.
- Shallowest named structure: Sandy Hook Reef, at 40 to 60 ft.
The named structure in the next section sits within or near this band.
Grounds and structure
Four named pieces of structure sit close to this port: Sandy Hook Reef, the V.L. Keegan, the Pocono and Shrewsbury Rocks.
| Structure | Type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Hook Reef | Artificial reef | 40 to 60 ft |
| V.L. Keegan | Tanker, on the Sandy Hook artificial reef | About 60 ft |
| Pocono | Schooner barge wreck, on the Sandy Hook artificial reef chart | About 60 ft |
| Shrewsbury Rocks | Rock | Bottomfish habitat |
Sandy Hook Reef
Sandy Hook Reef lies in 40 to 60 ft. The Fisherman’s Sandy Hook Reef coverage names it as bottomfish habitat, along with Shrewsbury Rocks.
V.L. Keegan
The V.L. Keegan is a tanker on the Sandy Hook artificial reef, lying in about 60 ft.
Pocono
The Pocono is a schooner barge wreck listed on the Sandy Hook artificial reef chart, lying in about 60 ft.
Shrewsbury Rocks
The Fisherman names Shrewsbury Rocks as bottomfish habitat.
You can mark each of these on the Breakpoint map before you leave the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How sea bass are fished out of Highlands
Local boats fish bait on the bottom over structure and anchor when the current runs. For the general approach, see this guide to reef and wreck bottom fishing.
Rocks, wrecks, reefs and open bottom
Captain Ron’s boat works rocks, wrecks, reefs and open bottom, moving between structure and the bottom around it.
Anchoring when current runs
The boat drops anchor when current runs, holding position over the structure while anglers fish.
Clams and green crabs
Fresh clams are the main bait. Green crabs come into use in fall, which puts them in the late fall window.
Boats that fish sea bass from this port
Their reports and schedules show what the fleet is doing and when.
- Sea Tiger II party boat: Captain Hal Hagaman. Lists spring and late fall sea bass.
- Captain Ron’s Fishermen reports: the boat is called The Fishermen. Its reports give the 48 to 105 ft band.
- Dark Horse Charter Fishing: a 62-foot boat that lists sea bass.
- Prowler 5 fishing reports: reports are signed by Capt. Scott and Capt. Jack.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Highlands
When is sea bass season out of Highlands?
There are two windows. In spring, party boats start in April and fish sea bass from the mid-May opener into mid-June. In late fall, Sea Tiger II lists sea bass bottom fishing from mid-November through early January. Check the state rules before you plan a trip.
What depth do local boats fish for sea bass?
Captain Ron’s reports describe fishing spots in a 48 to 105 ft band. Sandy Hook Reef lies in 40 to 60 ft, and the V.L. Keegan and Pocono wrecks lie in about 60 ft, which gives you a range to start from on the plotter.
What bait do Highlands boats use?
Fresh clams are the main bait. Green crabs are used in fall, which lines up with the late fall season that Sea Tiger II lists. Captain Ron’s boat fishes this bait over rocks, wrecks, reefs and open bottom.
Do boats anchor or drift on structure?
Captain Ron’s boat drops anchor when the current runs, holding over the structure while anglers fish. It works rocks, wrecks, reefs and open bottom, so the setup changes with the ground.
How deep are the V.L. Keegan and Pocono?
Both lie in about 60 ft on the Sandy Hook artificial reef. The V.L. Keegan is a tanker, and the Pocono is a schooner barge wreck listed on the Sandy Hook artificial reef chart.
Which Highlands boats fish for sea bass?
Four boats list sea bass from this port: Sea Tiger II, Captain Ron’s Fishermen (The Fishermen), Dark Horse and Prowler 5. Sea Tiger II lists spring and late fall sea bass, and the reports from Captain Ron’s give the 48 to 105 ft depth band.
