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| SEABASS - This popular bottom fish inhabits wrecks and rocky bottoms, the color of the sea bass varies, ranging from smoky gray to dusty brown to blue-black, sometimes with a mottled or barred appearance with longitudinal spots of a lighter shade. Black sea bass range from Cape Cod to northern Florida and are most abundant off the Mid-Atlantic coast. The fish spends the summer off New Jersey and northward, then migrates both south and offshore for the winter. Sea bass feed on crabs, lobster, shrimp and mollusks. They are harvested commercially by traps and otter trawls. Sea bass are also sought by recreational anglers. Handle the black sea bass with care because of its stiff dorsal spines. This species averages 1-2 pounds and rarely exceed 5 pounds. |