BLACK SEA BASS ARE HARVESTED ANYWHERE FROM RHODE ISLAND TO FLORIDA. RELATED TO THE GROUPER, THIS FISH BEGINS LIFE AS A MALE AND BECOMES FEMALE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 2 AND 5 YEARS OLD. THE DORSAL FINS CAN BE DANGEROUS, AS THEY HAVE POISONOUS SPINES ON THEM. RANGING FROM 1 TO 3 POUNDS WHEN HARVESTED, THEY ARE FOUND TO BE THEIR LARGEST IN SEPTEMBER. WHEN FRESH, THE FLAVOR IS MILD AND THE FLESH IS FIRM. THESE FISH HAVE AN EXCELLENT SHELF LIFE.
