Where boats run for black sea bass fishing out of Newburyport
Black sea bass fishing out of Newburyport centers on the rocks around Plum Island, with Jeffreys Ledge at 160 ft as the named offshore ground within reach. Every trip starts at the Merrimack River mouth, and the details of the bar, the ramps and the port itself are in the Newburyport port guide. This page covers where boats run, the grounds, how the fishing is done and who does it. It offers numbers to help you decide where to look, but it can’t promise fish. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide.
The river mouth: Joppa Flat and Salisbury Flat
Boats leave through the Merrimack River mouth. Joppa Flat sits at 5 ft on the Newburyport side, and Salisbury Flat sits at 7 ft. Both are landmarks on the way out rather than places to fish.
The rocks around Plum Island
The rocks around Plum Island are where boats run for black sea bass from this port. They are the nearshore option, a short run from the river mouth compared with the offshore grounds below.
Reading conditions: the Jeffrey’s Ledge Buoy
The Jeffrey’s Ledge Buoy forecast, linked from Two Captains’ home page, is the nearest NOAA buoy source. Check the wind, wave height and period before you run. A buoy reading is a point measurement and a forecast is a forecast, so use the official numbers to make the call.
Grounds and structure near Newburyport
Past the rocks, the named grounds give you orientation. For the wider structure-fishing picture, see the reef and structure fishing guides.
| Ground | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffreys Ledge | 160 ft | Reached from Newburyport |
| Stellwagen Bank | – | Named ground within reach |
| Joppa Flat | 5 ft | Merrimack River mouth, Newburyport side |
| Salisbury Flat | 7 ft | River mouth landmark |
| Outside Flag | – | Named by the harbormaster as a tuna area |
| Pigeon Hill | – | Named by the harbormaster as a tuna area |
Jeffreys Ledge, 160 ft
Jeffreys Ledge sits at 160 ft and is reached from Newburyport. Chart Contours shows the 160 ft ledge edge. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Stellwagen Bank
Stellwagen Bank is a further named ground within reach of the port, and a longer run than the rocks off Plum Island.
Outside Flag and Pigeon Hill
Newburyport’s harbormaster names Outside Flag and Pigeon Hill as tuna areas. Both names come up on the radio and at the dock, so they are useful for orientation.
How black sea bass are fished from this port
Locally, black sea bass fishing is a mixed bottom trip. Northeast Sportfishing runs 4 to 6 hour trips from Newburyport for black sea bass, porgy, squid and fluke, so expect more than one species on the same drift.
Timing and seasonal movement are covered in the black sea bass guide, along with rigs and behavior.
Who fishes for black sea bass out of Newburyport
Two local charters list black sea bass. Both show how the fishery is run from this port, which is useful to know before you take your own boat out.
Hogg Tide Charters
Hogg Tide Charters lists black sea bass. The boat, Hogg Tide, carries GPS, a fish finder and outriggers, with seating for six.
Northeast Sportfishing, The Provider
The Provider is a 42 foot WeSmac, run by captain Johnny Walker. The boat covers the 4 to 6 hour mixed trips for black sea bass, porgy, squid and fluke described in Northeast Sportfishing’s Newburyport listing.
FAQ: black sea bass fishing out of Newburyport
Where do boats fish for black sea bass from Newburyport?
Boats run to the rocks around Plum Island, the nearshore option from this port. Jeffreys Ledge at 160 ft and Stellwagen Bank are named grounds within reach.
How deep is Jeffreys Ledge?
Jeffreys Ledge is 160 ft and is reached from Newburyport. Chart layers are not for navigation.
What else is caught on black sea bass trips here?
Northeast Sportfishing’s 4 to 6 hour trips target black sea bass, porgy, squid and fluke, so expect a mixed bag on the same trip.
Which charters list black sea bass?
Hogg Tide Charters lists black sea bass and seats six. Northeast Sportfishing runs The Provider, a 42 foot WeSmac.
When are black sea bass around Newburyport?
Seasonal movement is covered in the black sea bass guide, which is the place to check timing before you plan a run.
Where do I check conditions before running out?
Use the Jeffrey’s Ledge Buoy forecast, linked from Two Captains’ home page. Check wind, wave height and period, and remember that a forecast is a forecast.
