Turkish Riviera · fish in season in November
Peak season
Gilt-head bream Sparus aurata
A main sea bream of Aegean and Mediterranean shore fishing, best in autumn. Spawns December–January.
Where: Mussel-covered rock–sand edges, breakwater and pier bases; Fethiye Gulf, Kemer and Antalya harbours.
Bottom fishing Surfcasting Float fishing Soft plastic Minnow (hard bait) Hardback crab Mussel Shrimp
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus
Taken on sabikis from piers all year, peaking in autumn. 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
One of the most familiar shore sea breams, caught all year. Spawns December–January.
Where: Rocky and weedy bottoms, breakwaters.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Handline Ragworm Mussel Shrimp
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
White seabream Diplodus sargus
A year-round rocky-shore fish, feeding better in rough water. Spawns January–March.
Where: Surf-swept rocks and breakwaters; Kaş–Kalkan, Kemer, the Alanya cliffs.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Mussel Hardback crab Ragworm
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus
Present all year in harbours and river mouths. Spawns July–December.
Where: Inner harbours, river mouths, lagoon outlets.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Handline Bread Dough bait Ragworm
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
European squid Loligo vulgaris
In the eastern Mediterranean too, autumn and winter are usually best (November–February in Greek guides), 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 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
In season
European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax
On the Mediterranean coast it is caught mostly in winter, especially at river mouths; it thins out inshore in warm summer water. Spawns December–March.
Where: River and stream mouths (such as Manavgat, Köprüçay, Aksu), surf beaches, harbour entrances.
Shore spinning Surfcasting Trolling Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Small live fish Peeler crab Ragworm
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
In the north-eastern Mediterranean bluefish can be caught all year, with fishers finding spring and autumn more productive (İskenderun Bay data). Spawns May–September.
Where: Current-swept points, surf beaches, river and harbour mouths.
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 · 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
Common dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus
In the Mediterranean the fishery for young dolphinfish runs August–December, peaking September–October (western Mediterranean data).
Where: Floating objects, buoys and surface boils offshore; trolling from boats.
Trolling Boat spinning Shore spinning Minnow (hard bait) Popper Stickbait Small live fish Squid Cuttlefish
Source: Scientia Marina (CSIC) · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili
Targeted from boats with live bait, jigs and poppers in summer and autumn. Archipelagos notes many stocks are overexploited.
Where: Offshore shoals, wrecks, deep headlands; off Kaş, Kemer and Alanya.
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.
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
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. Seven pufferfish species have been identified in Antalya Bay.
Where: Sandy bottoms and around reefs; often hooked incidentally.
Source: Habertürk, 31.08.2019 · COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629
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)
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
Brown meagre Sciaena umbra
More active at night over rocks and seagrass. Archipelagos reports heavily exploited stocks; releasing any you catch is recommended.
Where: Rocky crevices and seagrass edges.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Live shrimp Ragworm Shrimp
Common pandora Pagellus erythrinus
Mostly taken from boats on bottom rigs. Spawns April–September.
Where: Sand-mud bottoms near rocky patches, 20–100 m.
Bottom fishing Handline Drifting Shrimp Squid Sardine
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
In Turkey all fishing for white grouper is banned from 1 June to 31 August; its fishery is regulated because of declining stocks.
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. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı, Mersin İl Müdürlüğü · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Common dentex Dentex dentex
A predatory sea bream targeted from boats with live bait and jigs; spring and summer are best (April–August in Greek guides). Spawns March–May; stocks are heavily exploited.
Where: Hard rocky bottoms and shoal edges, 15–60 m; off Kaş, Kemer and Alanya.
Live bait Trolling Bottom fishing Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Small live fish Squid Cuttlefish
Source: FishingBooker · 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
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Sand steenbras Lithognathus mormyrus
A sandy-beach fish, common on surf rigs in summer. Spawns December–June.
Where: Long sandy beaches and the breaking-wave line; Patara, Konyaaltı, Lara, the Side–Manavgat beaches.
Surfcasting Bottom fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Soft plastic Jig head Lugworm Ragworm Mud shrimp
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Saddled seabream Oblada melanurus
Shoals near the surface; often 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, also recorded on the Muğla coast (Köyceğiz-Dalyan). It hides in crevices by day and becomes active after dark; rarely hooked. Dorsal and pelvic spines give a painful venomous sting; handle with gloves.
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 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Salema porgy Sarpa salpa
A herbivorous sea bream taken on weed or paste under a float. Spawns September–November.
Where: Weedy shallow rocks and breakwaters.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Bread Dough bait Seaweed
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson
A Lessepsian pelagic species that may be taken by trolling offshore in warm months; scarce and irregular.
Where: Open water and deep bays; 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
Painted comber Serranus scriba
Often takes small lures and bottom baits over shallow rock and seagrass. Spawns May–August.
Where: Shallow rocky and seagrass shores.
Light rock fishing (LRF) Bottom fishing Handline Soft plastic Jig head Shrimp Mussel Cuttlefish
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: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Marbled spinefoot Siganus rivulatus
A Red Sea (Lessepsian) species, widely fished from Gökova southward and along the Mediterranean coast. Its dorsal and pelvic spines are venomous; handle with care.
Where: Shallow sheltered rocky and seagrass bays, piers.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Bread Dough bait Seaweed
Source: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation · 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; Fethiye, Kaş–Kalkan, Kemer.
Float fishing Handline Bottom fishing Hardback crab Bread Shrimp
Pompano Trachinotus ovatus
Patrols the surf line of sandy beaches in the warm months, feeding near the surface; taken 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.