Sea Bass Tackle
Our recommended Sea Bass outfit includes a spinning rod and reel combo suitable for 20lb fused line. The optimal rod is 6’6″ to 7′ feet long with a fast to extra-fast action and capable of handling lure weights up to 3 ounces. Most anglers prefer to use 20lb fused line as opposed to 30lb fused line because the slightly decreased line diameter can provide additional casting distance when flipping small baits.
Seabass Fishing Techniques and Tips
We recommend loading the reel with 20lb fused line as opposed to braided line or mono. Fused and braided lines allow for much greater casting distance than mono. This is because is the much smaller line diameter of fused and braided lines. In addition, the fused and braided lines have virtually no stretch which allows the angler to carefully work even the most difficult lures, feel the softest hits, and easily set the hook. Fused line is preferred to braided line because it has better abrasion resistance and is less likely to form a wind knot.
Sea Bass Rigs
Diamond jigs or small bucktails tipped squid strips or artificial scented soft baits can be very effective when the fish are large and aggressive. However, most angler prefer a two-hook bait rig. The bait rig consists of 3ft of 30lb fluorocarbon leader attached to the main line with a 75lb barrel swivel . The leader includes a perfection loop at the end for either a small bank sinker or a hammered diamond jig. Two dropper loops should be tied in the leader 6 inches from either end. The rig is completed with a 4/0 offset beak bait hook on each dropper loop. he hooks can either be tipped with squid or clam strips, or tipped with an artificial scented soft bait. Shrimp soft baits are typically the most effective, but the mullet and grub patterns also work well.
Sea Bass Tackle Checklist
- 6’6″ to 7′ spinning rod rated for 20lb braid and lure weights up to 1 ounce
- Spinning reel rated for 20lb braid
- 20lb fused line
- 30lb fluorocarbon leader
- 75lb barrel swivel
- 4/o beak bait hook
- 2oz-6oz hammered diamond jig
- 2oz-6oz bank sinkers
- Artificial scented shrimp soft-bait
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!
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Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Legion Spinning Inshore spinning rod - 6'6" to 8' - multiple models suitable for 6-40lb mono and 6-65lb braid - fast to extra-fast actions Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon |  |  |
 | Shimano Teramar Northeast Inshore Spinning Inshore spinning rod - 6'6" to 8' - multiple models suitable for 10-30lb mono and 8-30lb braid - medium fast to extra-fast actions Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning reel - models rated for 6-50lb mono and 10-80lb braid - 4.2:1, 4.7:1, 5.6:1, and 6.2:1 gear ratios - 5+1 ball bearings, sealed spool/body, CNC gears, HT-100 drag washers, line capacity rings, and more Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Penn Clash Spinning reel - models rated for 4-30lb mono and 8-80lb braid - 4.7:1, 5.6:1, 6.2:1 gear ratios - Full Metal Body, CNC Gear Technology, Leveline Oscillation System, HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers, 8 Sealed stainless steel ball bearing, Instant Anti-Reverse bearing, Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire, Braid ready spool and line capacity rings Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Spheros SW Spinning reel - models rated for 6-30lb mono and 20-100lb braid - 4,4:1, 4.6:1, 4.8:1, or 4.9:1 gear ratios - 4 ball bearings, Hagane body, Hagane gear, X-shield, cross carbon drag, and CF aluminum cold forge spool. Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Stradic FK Spinning reel - models rated for 2-20lb mono and 10-65lb braid - 4.8:1 and 6.2:1 gear ratios - 6 ball bearings - Hagane gear provides power with cold forged drive gear, precision cut gears for power and smoothness, Hagane body, Dyna balance, Fluid Drive II gearing system, and cold forged aluminum spool Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Fireline Fused Fused line - more resistant to nicks and abuse than braided line - blaze orange, flame green, or smoke colors - available in 6 to 30lb test and 125, 300, 1500, and 3000yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Hammered Diamond Jig West End Fishing Tackle hammerred damond jig available in 4/6/8/10/12/14/16oz sizes with hooks |  |
 | Berkley Gulp Mullet Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 3" - GSSM3 - available in 12 colors - natural, action, scent and taste - irresistible swimming tail action. :earn more and buy from Berkley Learn more and buy direct at Amazon |  | |
 | Berkley Gulp Alive Shrimp Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 3" - GAPSHR3 - 15 different colors - looks, feels and smells like live shrimp - extremely durable and long lasting - rig on a jig, dropper, or any way you would with live shrimp Learn more and buy from Berkley Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp Alive Grub Gulp Alive! Soft bait - 1.5" - GAJJG1- available in black, chartruese, pearl, and white - proven shape and action works well for all fish - use on jigs, dropshots, and dropper loops Learn more and buy from Berkley Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Mustad Beak Bait Hook 92553NP-BN - Opti-Angle Needle Point, chemically sharpened, Nor-Tempered, forged, reversed, extra strong, turned up tapered eye - Octopus style Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Mustad Rolling Swivel 77900 - Black Rolling Swivel w/round eye - available sizes/rating: 4/144lb, 6/118lb, 8/104lb, 9/77lb, 10/70lb, 12/49lb, and 14/42lb |
 | Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 4-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri TopKnot Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - additional abrassion resistance, lower diameter, invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 8-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Prospec Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear, blue, pink, brown colors - 20-200lb test and 25/33/75/100yd coils Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Gulp Chum Saltwater Chum - GCBK5-V - Rapid scent dispersal for all saltwater gamefish. Ideal for fishing shallow water structure. No refrigeration needed. Learn more and buy direct from Berkley Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
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