Sea Bass Update from ASMFC, optimism for NY?

hartattack · Feb 14, 2026

The press release said 20% coastwide increase for seabass. The fine print said the regional increases will be determined by the Board. That decision was 27% to the northern sector (NY CT RI MA), 16.5% southern (DE MD VA NC) and the rest to NJ (~ 15-17%). State proposals to ASMFC due in March, stay tuned. . . . .

Snapprhead27 · Feb 14, 2026

I'm not very high on NY changing their regs. Especially after the last meeting.

OVERBORED · Feb 14, 2026

Black Sea Bass Populations Increasing Rapidly in the Sound - Long Island Sound Partnership Black Sea Bass Populations Increasing Rapidly in the Sound - Long Island Sound Partnership

OVERBORED · Feb 15, 2026

"In the last decade, black sea bass abundance has increased by 1,084 percent in the Long Island Sound Trawl Survey."

Am I the only one who feels its mind-blowing to see that statement made by scientists and yet the regulations continue to be so restrictive that many boats still don't solely target sea bass?

1,084%! How do you ignore that?

Snapprhead27 · Feb 15, 2026

Unreal

longcast · Feb 15, 2026

OVERBORED said:
"In the last decade, black sea bass abundance has increased by 1,084 percent in the Long Island Sound Trawl Survey."

Am I the only one who feels its mind-blowing to see that statement made by scientists and yet the regulations continue to be so restrictive that many boats still don't solely target sea bass?

1,084%! How do you ignore that?

And voraciously eating every little thing in their path. Are they destroying other species because of that population explosion?

george · Feb 16, 2026

OVERBORED said:
"In the last decade, black sea bass abundance has increased by 1,084 percent in the Long Island Sound Trawl Survey."

Am I the only one who feels its mind-blowing to see that statement made by scientists and yet the regulations continue to be so restrictive that many boats still don't solely target sea bass?

1,084%! How do you ignore that?

Because they can.

Snapprhead27 · 2026-03-11T12:19:50-0400

Hearing that as of March 10th, meeting there is a change for this year. Size is going to 16 inches, May 16th to end of Aug with a limit of 3 fish. Then going to 6.

longcast · 2026-03-11T12:22:39-0400

In New York, the recreational black sea bass (blackfish) minimum size limit is 16.5 inches. The season opens on June 23 and runs through December 31, with specific, varying daily possession limits.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (.gov) +3
Key 2025/2026 Regulations (Effective June 23 – Dec 31):

Minimum Size: 16.5 inches (Total Length).
Possession Limits:
- June 23 – Aug. 31: 3 fish per day.
- Sept. 1 – Dec. 31: 6 fish per day.

Snapprhead27 · 2026-03-11T15:02:14-0400

longcast · 2026-03-11T16:40:20-0400

I guess they will need to update

Snapprhead27 · 2026-03-11T17:19:29-0400

longcast said:
I guess they will need to update

Yea. Was hoping for something better on the BSB

Roccus7 · 2026-03-12T06:11:00-0400

Snapprhead27 said:
View attachment 112886

HTF do they rationalize those different BSB sizes, especially in the Sound??? I assume that NJ will still have that smaller size limit.

You guys won't have a Sep - Oct cod season?? That really sucks!!! At least they threw us that bone, but it was only recently and with the crappy bass fishing last year, I took advantage of it on every day with favorable weather conditions...

Snapprhead27 · 2026-03-12T07:13:42-0400

Roccus7 said:
HTF do they rationalize those different BSB sizes, especially in the Sound??? I assume that NJ will still have that smaller size limit.

You guys won't have a Sep - Oct cod season?? That really sucks!!! At least they threw us that bone, but it was only recently and with the crappy bass fishing last year, I took advantage of it on every day with favorable weather conditions...

Your guess is a good a mine.

They are trying to get cod shut down in state waters as well, waiting on that vote. I was supposed to go out of montauk in April to try state waters for Cod but backed out because of my surgery. We will see what happens with the vote and if the trip even happens.

BoatGuy · 2026-03-12T07:38:14-0400

I l ike the earlier season for BSB. I catch bigger BSB going for fluke in May and June and always had to return them. 16 inches not that much of a difference than 16.5

Roccus7 · 2026-03-12T07:41:59-0400

Snapprhead27 said:
They are trying to get cod shut down in state waters

Since state waters generally end at 3 mi and IIRC, the bulk of cod on the south shore are well past 3 miles out, is that even something of value?

Snapprhead27 · 2026-03-12T08:11:01-0400

BoatGuy said:
I l ike the earlier season for BSB. I catch bigger BSB going for fluke in May and June and always had to return them. 16 inches not that much of a difference than 16.5

Agreed...I still don't understand CT having different regulations in the same body of water.

Snapprhead27 · 2026-03-12T08:13:46-0400

Roccus7 said:
Since state waters generally end at 3 mi and IIRC, the bulk of cod on the south shore are well past 3 miles out, is that even something of value?

I haven't fished for Cod in years. The guy who set the trip up used to run a boat out of montauk and said he would get some in state waters. I think it was more of a, let's get out on the water and see what happens. Maybe grab a Tog or 2 since that season is open and Hey!! Even maybe a rare flounder lol. I'll keep you guys posted if they make it out.

longcast · 2026-03-12T08:46:48-0400

Roccus7 said:
Since state waters generally end at 3 mi and IIRC, the bulk of cod on the south shore are well past 3 miles out, is that even something of value?

Every year I hear rumbles of a few folks banging a couple cod on local inside of 3 mile pieces. But nothing sustainable, and I get what you are saying. But why let them continue to just "close" areas?

Chinacat · 2026-03-12T08:49:20-0400

Well, for me, I was hoping for 15" or 15-1/2' on the Sea Bass BUT if an opening date of 5/16 is correct, I'm hopeful that gives me at least a chance to get out there in my area and catch some before all the pirates, pinhookers, etc. get to take them all.

5 bluefish is helpful because I can fill the smoker with 10 fillets on 1 trip rather than needing to do it in 2 trips

Sea Bass Update from ASMFC, optimism for NY?

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