Levantine Sea · fish in season in November
Peak season
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
Yumurtalık fishers say bluefish can be caught all year, with spring and autumn more productive and sharks damaging gear in summer; mullet is the usual bait. Spawns May–September.
Where: Current-swept points, surf beaches, harbour and river mouths; Yumurtalık, İskenderun, Mersin.
Shore spinning Jigging Sabiki / feather rig Spoon Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Horse mackerel Anchovy Sardine
Source: Acta Aquatica Turcica 15(1): 26-34, 2019 · COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 7(1): 96-108, 2024 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Gilt-head bream Sparus aurata
A target of bottom longlines in İskenderun Bay; caught from shore all year, best in autumn. Spawns December–January.
Where: Mussel-covered rock–sand edges, breakwater and pier bases; Mersin, Taşucu and Cyprus harbours.
Bottom fishing Surfcasting Float fishing Soft plastic Minnow (hard bait) Hardback crab Mussel Shrimp
Source: Acta Aquatica Turcica 15(1): 26-34, 2019 · FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus
Taken on sabikis from piers all year. Spawns April–August.
Where: Piers, harbours, lit quays.
Sabiki / feather rig Jigging Sabiki feathers Soft plastic Metal jig Anchovy Sardine Squid
Common two-banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris
Caught on rocky shores all year. Spawns December–January.
Where: Rocky and weedy bottoms, breakwaters.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Handline Ragworm Mussel Shrimp
White seabream Diplodus sargus
A year-round rocky-shore fish, feeding better in rough water. Spawns January–March.
Where: Surf-swept rocks and breakwaters; the Silifke–Taşucu rocks, the rocky coast north of Paphos (Cyprus).
Bottom fishing Float fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Mussel Hardback crab Ragworm
Source: FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus
Present all year in harbours, canals and river mouths; mullets are also the standard bait for bluefish and bass here. Spawns July–December.
Where: Inner harbours, canal and river mouths, lagoon outlets.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Handline Bread Dough bait Ragworm
Source: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 7(1): 96-108, 2024 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Common dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus
Around Cyprus September–November trolling gives a good chance; across the Mediterranean the fishery for young dolphinfish runs August–December.
Where: Floating objects and buoys offshore; trolling from boats.
Trolling Boat spinning Shore spinning Minnow (hard bait) Popper Stickbait Small live fish Squid Cuttlefish
Source: FishingBooker · Scientia Marina (CSIC) · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
European squid Loligo vulgaris
In Cyprus squid come into play in autumn; overall autumn and winter are best, with more squid at dusk and night. Spawns May–August.
Where: Lit piers and harbours, sandy seagrass bays.
Eging (squid) Squid jig (egi)
Source: FishingBooker · FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
In season
European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax
One of the two target species of the traditional setline in İskenderun Bay (the other is bluefish); from shore it is caught mostly in winter. In Cyprus it is reported to bite in spring too. Spawns December–March.
Where: River and canal mouths, surf beaches, harbour entrances; the Yumurtalık, İskenderun and Mersin shores.
Shore spinning Surfcasting Trolling Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Small live fish Peeler crab Ragworm
Source: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 7(1): 96-108, 2024 · FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Common octopus Octopus vulgaris
Present on rocky shores all year. In Turkey a closed season for octopus applies from 15 April to 31 October (Notification 6/1, art. 31); check current recreational rules in the regulations section.
Where: Rocky and stony bottoms.
Bottom fishing Handline Drifting Octopus lure Crab Fish strip
Source: T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Leerfish Lichia amia
A large predator that migrates seasonally along the coast; juveniles use estuaries.
Where: River mouths, sand–rock transitions, harbour mouths.
Live bait Trolling Shore spinning Minnow (hard bait) Popper Spoon Small live fish Squid Horse mackerel
Source: FishBase · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili
One of the boat targets off Cyprus; sought with live bait and jigs in summer and autumn. Archipelagos notes many stocks are overexploited.
Where: Offshore shoals, wrecks, deep headlands.
Live bait Jigging Slow jigging Metal jig Popper Minnow (hard bait) Horse mackerel Small live fish
Source: FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Garfish Belone belone
Cruises at the surface; taken on light float rigs and small spoons, and occasionally on the Yumurtalık bluefish setline.
Where: Open shores, breakwater tips, harbour mouths.
Float fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Shore spinning Metal jig Soft plastic Fly Fish strip Mackerel strip Sand eel
Source: Acta Aquatica Turcica 15(1): 26-34, 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus
WARNING — poisonous, do not eat: its liver, ovaries and skin contain tetrodotoxin; eating it is banned in Turkey. Sharp teeth cut line and hooks; handle with gloves and keep hands away from the mouth. Greek: λαγοκέφαλος. Cyprus authorities also warn against eating it, and its sale is prohibited throughout the EU.
Where: Sandy bottoms and around reefs; frequently hooked incidentally.
Source: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · Cyprus Mail, 23.06.2026
Black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus
On rocky bottoms all year; takes bottom baits at dusk and night. Dorsal spines are venomous.
Where: Rocky and breakwater bottoms.
Bottom fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Float fishing Soft plastic Jig head Fish strip Horse mackerel Shrimp
Common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis
Moves into the shallows to spawn in spring (March–July), when it is often caught from shore on squid jigs.
Where: Shallow sandy and muddy bays, seagrass edges.
Eging (squid) Drifting Squid jig (egi)
Dusky spinefoot Siganus luridus
A Lessepsian species moving in small schools along shallow hard-bottom shores. Its spines are venomous.
Where: Shallow hard-bottom rocky shores.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Bread Dough bait Seaweed
Source: IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Marbled spinefoot Siganus rivulatus
A Red Sea (Lessepsian) species, an established invader in the eastern Mediterranean, seen in schools along shallow shores. Its dorsal and pelvic spines are venomous; handle with care.
Where: Shallow sheltered rocky and seagrass bays, harbours.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Bread Dough bait Seaweed
Source: IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Yellowmouth barracuda Sphyraena viridensis
Yellowmouth barracuda, common in warm water; taken on lures at dusk and night in late summer and autumn. Spawns May–July.
Where: Lit harbour mouths, rocky points, breakwater tips.
Shore spinning Boat spinning Live bait Minnow (hard bait) Stickbait Soft plastic Small live fish
Occasional
Common pandora Pagellus erythrinus
Taken from boats on bottom rigs; in Cyprus it is reported to improve in spring as the water warms. Spawns April–September.
Where: Sand-mud bottoms near rocky patches, 20–100 m.
Bottom fishing Handline Drifting Shrimp Squid Sardine
Source: FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus
Comes inshore in shoals in summer and early autumn. Spawns June–August. Often listed as Scomber colias in the Mediterranean.
Where: Piers, breakwater tips, open bays.
Sabiki / feather rig Jigging Sabiki feathers Spoon Metal jig
White grouper Epinephelus aeneus
An important white grouper area of the eastern Mediterranean; its fishery was re-regulated after studies in Hatay, Adana, Mersin and Antalya because of declining stocks. In Turkey all fishing for it is banned from 1 June to 31 August.
Where: Rocky and sand–mud transition bottoms, 20–100 m.
Slow jigging Jigging Live bait Metal jig Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Small live fish Squid Cuttlefish
Source: T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı, Mersin İl Müdürlüğü · T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Common dentex Dentex dentex
In Cyprus it is reported to improve in spring as the water warms; targeted from boats with live bait and jigs. Spawns March–May; stocks are heavily exploited.
Where: Hard rocky bottoms and shoal edges, 15–60 m.
Live bait Trolling Bottom fishing Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Small live fish Squid Cuttlefish
Source: FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus
Seen as surface schools offshore in the warm months; occasionally taken on the Yumurtalık bluefish setline. Caught from boats on spoons and trolling lures.
Where: Open water and surface boils.
Trolling Shore spinning Boat spinning Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Spoon Small live fish Sardine
Source: Acta Aquatica Turcica 15(1): 26-34, 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus
PROTECTED
Protected: fishing for dusky grouper is banned in Turkish waters (Notification 6/1, art. 26). If hooked by accident, release it at once without harm. Elsewhere follow local rules; releasing it is strongly recommended.
Source: T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Annular seabream Diplodus annularis
A small sea bream plentiful over shallow seagrass in the warm months. Spawns April–June.
Where: Shallow seagrass and rock edges, piers.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Soft plastic Jig head Ragworm Shrimp Mussel
Bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii
A Lessepsian species schooling along reefs and sandy edges. Spawns May–October.
Where: Sandy areas around reefs and rocks.
Source: IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Sand steenbras Lithognathus mormyrus
A sandy-beach fish, common on surf rigs in summer. Spawns December–June.
Where: Sandy beaches and the breaking-wave line; Mersin–Erdemli, Samandağ, the Larnaca beaches.
Surfcasting Bottom fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Soft plastic Jig head Lugworm Ragworm Mud shrimp
Saddled seabream Oblada melanurus
Shoals near the surface; caught on float rigs on summer evenings. Spawns May–July.
Where: Rocky shores, around breakwaters and piers.
Float fishing Trolling Bottom fishing Minnow (hard bait) Sabiki feathers Bread Shrimp Sardine
Lionfish Pterois miles
An invasive Lessepsian species that hides in crevices by day and becomes active after dark; rarely hooked. Dorsal and pelvic spines give a painful venomous sting; handle with gloves. Cyprus anglers are encouraged not to return it to the sea.
Where: Rocky crevices, caves, wrecks.
Light rock fishing (LRF) Bottom fishing Soft plastic Jig head Shrimp Fish strip Small live fish
Source: IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Redcoat Sargocentron rubrum
A Lessepsian species that hides in rock crevices by day and hunts at night. Its dorsal spine can inflict a painful sting.
Where: Coastal reefs, crevices in harbours and wrecks.
Source: IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson
A Lessepsian pelagic species taken by trolling offshore in warm months. Archipelagos considers eating it beneficial for the ecosystem.
Where: From the shelf edge to shallow coastal waters; trolling from boats.
Trolling Shore spinning Jigging Octopus lure Metal jig Fly Small live fish Fish strip
Source: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Mediterranean parrotfish Sparisoma cretense
The Mediterranean parrotfish of rocky shores; in warm months it takes weed or shrimp baits under a float. Spawns July–September.
Where: Shallow rocky shores; Taşucu, the northern and western coasts of Cyprus.
Float fishing Handline Bottom fishing Hardback crab Bread Shrimp
Pompano Trachinotus ovatus
Patrols the surf line of sandy beaches in warm months and is occasionally taken on the Yumurtalık bluefish setline; caught from shore on small lures. Spawns July–August.
Where: The breaking-wave line of sandy beaches and river mouths.
Shore spinning Light rock fishing (LRF) Live bait Popper Stickbait Metal jig Small live fish Fish strip
Source: Acta Aquatica Turcica 15(1): 26-34, 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
This is the general seasonal pattern for the region, not live data. It can shift by a few weeks with water temperature, migration and the year.