The nearest DEC reef sits 2.0 nm south of Shinnecock Inlet, which is why black sea bass fishing here suits a boat owner with a free morning. The port page covers the inlet, launch and conditions, and the black sea bass species guide gives the general picture. This guide covers when local boats fish sea bass, how far the grounds are, how they are fished, who runs trips, and where the rules live. 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 Shinnecock
Two local listings set the window. They differ because one is a sea bass listing from a party boat and the other is a mixed bottom schedule from a charter.
| Boat | Listed window | What the listing covers |
|---|---|---|
| Shinnecock Star | June-December | Sea bass |
| Gusto IV | April-November | Mixed bottom trips: sea bass, fluke, stripers, bluefish |
Party boat season
Shinnecock Star lists sea bass June-December. That is the boat’s own published window, and it says nothing about when fish arrive or peak.
Charter bottom trips
Gusto IV runs bottom trips April-November for sea bass, fluke, stripers and bluefish. Because the trips are mixed, the window is wider than a sea bass-only listing. Taken together, local boats fish sea bass from spring into December, and the sea bass-specific listing runs June-December.
Where boats run from Shinnecock Inlet
The grounds are inshore reef and wreck bottom, and every distance here is measured from Shinnecock Inlet. The regional picture is that south shore reefs produce sea bass, though that claim covers the region and does not single out Shinnecock Reef.
Choosing between the 2 nm run and the 12 nm run comes down to fuel, time and weather. Decide from the official forecast rather than from distance alone.
Shinnecock Reef
DEC artificial reef locations lists Shinnecock Reef 2.0 nm south of the inlet at 76-84 ft. It is the closest named structure on this list.
Twelve Mile Reef
Twelve Mile Reef sits 12 nm out at 123-143 ft. DEC lists the distance from both Moriches Inlet and Shinnecock Inlet, so boats from both inlets share it. It is the deeper, longer run, roughly six times the distance of Shinnecock Reef.
The Dip, Coimbra and Hudson Canyon
The Dip, Coimbra and Hudson Canyon are named grounds the port reaches. Hudson Canyon sits at the shelf edge. No depth or distance is listed for any of the three here.
| Ground | Distance from inlet | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Shinnecock Reef | 2.0 nm south | 76-84 |
| Twelve Mile Reef | 12 nm | 123-143 |
| The Dip | not listed | not listed |
| Coimbra | not listed | not listed |
| Hudson Canyon (shelf edge) | not listed | not listed |
Chart Contours shows the bottom around both reefs. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How sea bass are fished here
The Fisherman’s reef feature describes the methods below. The description is regional and not specific to Shinnecock.
Dropper rigs and sinkers
The standard setup is a two-hook dropper rig with 4-12 oz bank sinkers. The deeper water at Twelve Mile Reef calls for the heavier end of that range.
Clam and crab
Clam or crab baits go on the dropper rig and are fished on the bottom, over the structure.
Party boat bottom trips
Shinnecock Star and Hampton Lady run bottom trips. For anyone new to the port, a party boat trip is one way to see the local grounds before running your own boat.
Who fishes sea bass out of Shinnecock
Four boats list sea bass or run bottom trips from this port:
- Shinnecock Star: a party boat that lists sea bass June-December and runs bottom trips.
- Hampton Lady: a party boat that runs bottom trips.
- Gusto IV: a charter whose bottom trips (sea bass, fluke, stripers, bluefish) run April-November.
- Sea Venture: "The Canyon Specialist," run by Capt. Peter Stassi, which lists black sea bass. Captain Experiences lists a 40 ft boat.
FAQ: black sea bass fishing out of Shinnecock
How far is Shinnecock Reef from the inlet?
DEC lists it 2.0 nm south of Shinnecock Inlet, at 76-84 ft.
How deep is Twelve Mile Reef?
It is 123-143 ft, about 12 nm out. Boats from Moriches Inlet and Shinnecock Inlet share it.
What months do local boats fish sea bass?
Shinnecock Star lists sea bass June-December. Gusto IV’s mixed bottom trips run April-November.
What rig do people use?
A two-hook dropper rig with 4-12 oz bank sinkers and clam or crab bait. That is a regional description from The Fisherman.
Which party boats fish sea bass?
Shinnecock Star lists sea bass, and both Shinnecock Star and Hampton Lady run bottom trips.
Where do I find the sea bass rules?
Use the New York regulations page linked above. It is the place to check size, bag and season before you go.
