Southern Aegean · fish in season in November
Peak season
European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax
A staple of Aegean shore fishing; it moves inshore as water cools, usually best November–February. Spawns December–March. Greek: λαβράκι.
Where: Surf-washed points, river mouths, harbour and marina entrances; Sığacık, Didim, the Güllük and Gökova gulf shores.
Shore spinning Surfcasting Trolling Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Small live fish Peeler crab Ragworm
Source: Acta Adriatica 60(2), 2019 · Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Atlantic bonito Sarda sarda
The return migration from the Black Sea starts in late September and peaks in November–December; South Aegean schools come with this migration and from local stocks. Greek: παλαμίδα.
Where: Passing offshore schools: off Çeşme–Karaburun, the Bodrum and Cyclades channels; from boats with spoons and trolling.
Sabiki / feather rig Trolling Shore spinning Sabiki feathers Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Horse mackerel Sardine Anchovy
Source: Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 6: 57-62, 2006 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Gilt-head bream Sparus aurata
The most common catch of İzmir Bay shore anglers; bites best in autumn as it leaves the bays. Spawns December–January. Greek: τσιπούρα.
Where: Mussel-covered rock–sand edges, pier and breakwater bases; the İzmir Bay waterfronts, Çeşme and Bodrum bays.
Bottom fishing Surfcasting Float fishing Soft plastic Minnow (hard bait) Hardback crab Mussel Shrimp
Source: Acta Adriatica 60(2), 2019 · 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. Greek: ασπροσάφριδο.
Where: Piers, harbours, lit quays.
Sabiki / feather rig Jigging Sabiki feathers Soft plastic Metal jig Anchovy Sardine Squid
Source: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Common two-banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris
One of the most familiar Aegean sea breams, caught all year. Spawns December–January. Greek: κακαρέλος / χαρακίδα.
Where: Rocky and weedy bottoms, breakwaters, harbours.
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, bolder in rough water. Spawns January–March. Greek: σαργός.
Where: Surf-swept rocks, breakwaters, island points; Karaburun, Datça, the Cyclades.
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
Mullets are the next most common Aegean shore catch after sea bream and bass; present all year. Spawns July–December. Greek: κέφαλος.
Where: Inner harbours, river and canal mouths, lagoon outlets; the stream mouths around Güllük and Gökova.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Handline Bread Dough bait Ragworm
Source: Acta Adriatica 60(2), 2019 · Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
European squid Loligo vulgaris
Greek guides rate November–February best and August–October good, with the Cyclades especially productive and more squid at dusk and night. Spawns May–August. Greek: καλαμάρι.
Where: Lit piers and harbours, sandy seagrass bays; Çeşme, Bodrum, the Cyclades and Rhodes harbours.
Eging (squid) Squid jig (egi)
Source: FishingBooker · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
In season
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
Less common and more irregular in the South Aegean than in the north; seen more in autumn and early winter. Spawns May–September. Greek: γοφάρι.
Where: Current-swept points, surf beaches, harbour mouths.
Shore spinning Jigging Sabiki / feather rig Spoon Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Horse mackerel Anchovy Sardine
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. Greek: χταπόδι.
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. Greek: λίτσα.
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). Greek: κυνηγός / λαμπούγα.
Where: Floating objects, buoys and surface boils offshore; trolled and cast small lures 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 from the warm months into autumn. Archipelagos notes many stocks are overexploited. Greek: μαγιάτικο.
Where: Offshore shoals, wrecks, deep island points; off Gökova and Datça, the Cyclades and Dodecanese.
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 and is taken on light float rigs and small spoons; comes inshore in late winter and spring. Greek: ζαργάνα.
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: Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 4(3), 2019 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus
On rocky bottoms all year; takes bottom baits at dusk and night. Dorsal spines are venomous, handle with care. Greek: σκορπιός.
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. Greek: σουπιά.
Where: Shallow sandy and muddy bays, seagrass edges.
Eging (squid) Drifting Squid jig (egi)
European barracuda Sphyraena sphyraena
A small shoaling barracuda of coastal waters, caught more often on lures at dusk in autumn. Spawns May–July. Greek: λούτσος (loutsos).
Where: Harbour mouths, breakwater tips, rocky points.
Shore spinning Boat spinning Live bait Stickbait Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Small live fish Sardine Horse mackerel
Yellowmouth barracuda Sphyraena viridensis
Yellowmouth barracuda, more common in warm water, taken on lures at dusk and night in late summer and autumn. Spawns May–July. Greek: λούτσος.
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. Greek: σκιός.
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; more regular in warm months. Spawns April–September. Greek: λυθρίνι.
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; caught on sabikis and small spoons. Spawns June–August. Greek: κολιός. 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
Uncommon in the South Aegean. In Turkey all fishing for white grouper is banned from 1 June to 31 August; Archipelagos reports declining stocks. Greek: σφυρίδα (sfyrida).
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 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Common dentex Dentex dentex
Greek guides rate April–August best and March and September good; targeted from boats with live bait and jigs. Spawns March–May; stocks are heavily exploited. Greek: συναγρίδα.
Where: Hard rocky bottoms and shoal edges, 15–60 m; off Bodrum and Datça, the Cyclades and Dodecanese.
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. Greek: ροφός; Greece applies a 45 cm legal minimum (Archipelagos).
Source: T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Annular seabream Diplodus annularis
One of the small sea breams most caught from Aegean shores; plentiful over seagrass in summer. Spawns April–June. Greek: σπάρος.
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
Silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus
WARNING — poisonous, do not eat: its liver, ovaries and skin contain tetrodotoxin and consumption is banned. Its first Mediterranean record was from Gökova Bay in 2003. Sharp teeth cut line and hooks; handle with gloves and keep hands away from the mouth. Greek: λαγοκέφαλος.
Where: Sandy bottoms and around offshore reefs; may be hooked incidentally.
Source: COMU Journal of Marine Sciences and Fisheries 6(1): 83-89, 2023 · T.C. Resmî Gazete, 11.08.2024, sayı 32629 · Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Sand steenbras Lithognathus mormyrus
A sandy-beach fish, common on surf rigs in summer. Spawns December–June. Greek: μουρμούρα.
Where: Sandy beaches and the breaking-wave line; Çeşme Ilıca–Altınkum, Didim, the north beaches of Kos and Crete.
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. Greek: μελανούρι.
Where: Rocky shores, around breakwaters and piers.
Float fishing Trolling Bottom fishing Minnow (hard bait) Sabiki feathers Bread Shrimp Sardine
Red porgy Pagrus pagrus
A prized sea bream caught from boats on bottom rigs and jigs; Archipelagos reports declining wild stocks. Spawns February–May. Greek: φαγγρί (fangri).
Where: Rocky and rubble bottoms, 20–80 m.
Bottom fishing Slow jigging Drifting Inchiku Metal jig Squid Shrimp Fish strip
Salema porgy Sarpa salpa
A herbivorous sea bream taken on weed or paste under a float; more active in warm months. Spawns September–November. Greek: σάλπα.
Where: Weedy shallow rocks and breakwaters.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Bread Dough bait Seaweed
Source: FishBase
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson
A Lessepsian pelagic species caught in the Gökova and Güllük gulfs of the South Aegean; recorded only a few times in İzmir Bay. Scarce and irregular. Greek: ταινιοπαλαμίδα.
Where: Open water and deep coastal 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; more active in the warm months. Spawns May–August. Greek: πέρκα (perka).
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, common in Gökova and the bays to the south, rare in İzmir Bay. Its spines are venomous; handle with care. Greek: μαύρη αγριόσαλπα.
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, commonly fished in Gökova Bay and the bays to the south but rare in İzmir Bay. Its dorsal and pelvic spines are venomous, handle with care. Greek: γερμανός (germanos).
Where: Shallow sheltered rocky and seagrass bays; Gökova, the Bodrum peninsula, the Dodecanese.
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 South Aegean rocky shores; in the warm months it takes weed or shrimp baits under a float. Spawns July–September. Greek: σκάρος (skaros).
Where: Shallow rocky shores; Bodrum, Datça, the Dodecanese and Crete.
Float fishing Handline Bottom fishing Hardback crab Bread Shrimp
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.