Bosphorus · fish in season in November
Peak season
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
Named by size class: 8–10 cm 'defne yaprağı', 10–20 cm 'çinekop', 20–25 cm 'sarıkanat', 25–35 cm 'lüfer', over 35 cm 'kofana'. Caught in the Bosphorus during its autumn migration from the Black Sea to the Marmara; the season usually runs from late September to December. Studies show the season start has shifted towards October in recent years and varies with water temperature.
Where: Points where the current comes close to shore: Sarayburnu, Arnavutköy–Akıntıburnu, Aşiyan; Galata Bridge, Karaköy, Üsküdar and Bebek shores. Larger fish mostly at night and from boats.
Shore spinning Jigging Sabiki / feather rig Spoon Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Horse mackerel Anchovy Sardine
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · haberler.com · SDÜ Eğirdir Su Ürünleri Fakültesi Dergisi
Atlantic bonito Sarda sarda
Arrives with the autumn migration from the Black Sea; in the Bosphorus the season is usually September–December, peaking October–November. Seldom from shore, mostly from boats.
Where: The current-swept mid-channel, from boats; during strong runs also at Galata Bridge and Sarayburnu.
Sabiki / feather rig Trolling Shore spinning Sabiki feathers Minnow (hard bait) Metal jig Horse mackerel Sardine Anchovy
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · haberler.com · Rûdaw
Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus
The most common year-round catch in the Bosphorus; about 90% of the catch in scientific handline trials. Larger fish show up in winter. Easily caught from shore with sabiki (çapari) rigs and light rock fishing.
Where: Galata Bridge, Karaköy, Kabataş, Bebek, Üsküdar, Kuleli, Kandilli and Tarabya shores and piers.
Sabiki / feather rig Jigging Sabiki feathers Soft plastic Metal jig Anchovy Sardine Squid
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS · Timeturk
In season
European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax
One of the Bosphorus species; at Galata it is targeted in winter with small shrimp (teke) bait.
Where: Points where the current breaks, rocky shores and bridge pilings; dawn and dusk.
Shore spinning Surfcasting Trolling Minnow (hard bait) Soft plastic Small live fish Peeler crab Ragworm
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · Timeturk
Golden grey mullet Chelon auratus
Mullets are caught year-round in the Bosphorus. In summer they rise to the surface and are fished with float rigs and bread or worm baits; fish run larger in winter.
Where: Galata Bridge and the Golden Horn entrance, around piers, sheltered coves.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Bread Dough bait Ragworm
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS
Flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus
One of the mullet species seen year-round at Galata Bridge; larger in winter.
Where: Galata Bridge, the Golden Horn, harbours and piers.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Handline Bread Dough bait Ragworm
Garfish Belone belone
Recorded at Galata Bridge in autumn; in the Black Sea its season is August–December.
Where: At the surface along current lines; with float rigs or small spoons.
Float fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Shore spinning Metal jig Soft plastic Fly Fish strip Mackerel strip Sand eel
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · Frontiers in Marine Science
Blotched picarel Spicara maena
Caught year-round at Galata Bridge, usually on sabiki rigs alongside horse mackerel.
Where: Rocky, weedy bottoms, pier and bridge pilings.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Handline Mussel Shrimp Ragworm
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · FishBase
European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus
Seen in autumn and winter; for anglers mainly important as bluefish bait. The season start has moved to mid-October in recent years.
Where: Offshore in schools; occasionally from shore on sabiki rigs.
Sabiki / feather rig Sabiki feathers
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · haberler.com
Occasional
Brown meagre Sciaena umbra
Caught more often in summer; more active at night.
Where: Rocky shores and breakwaters.
Float fishing Bottom fishing Live shrimp Ragworm Shrimp
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · FishBase
Common two-banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris
A seasonal catch at Galata Bridge; more frequent in the warm months.
Where: Rocky, mussel-covered bottoms and breakwaters.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Handline Ragworm Mussel Shrimp
Tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerna
Occasional bycatch on bottom rigs.
Where: Sand and gravel bottoms.
Bottom fishing Drifting Surfcasting Metal jig Horse mackerel Fish strip Mackerel strip
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · FishBase
Red scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa
Occasional; under 1% of the catch in handline trials.
Where: Deeper rocky bottoms.
Bottom fishing Drifting Handline Metal jig Soft plastic Jig head Fish strip Horse mackerel Sardine
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS
Whiting Merlangius merlangus
Recorded at Galata Bridge in the summer months; a bottom fish linked to the cool lower layer of the strait.
Where: Deep muddy and gravel bottoms, on bottom rigs.
Sabiki / feather rig Bottom fishing Handline Sabiki feathers Chicken breast Mussel Fish strip
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · Frontiers in Marine Science
Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus
Listed among Bosphorus catches but scarce today. It comes inshore in spring and overwinters in deeper water.
Where: Open water with current; on sabiki rigs.
Sabiki / feather rig Shore spinning Float fishing Sabiki feathers Spinner Fish strip
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · Rûdaw · FishBase
Black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus
The second most frequent species after horse mackerel in Bosphorus handline trials. Its spines are venomous; handle with care.
Where: Among rocks and weed, at the foot of breakwaters; with light rock fishing.
Bottom fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Float fishing Soft plastic Jig head Fish strip Horse mackerel Shrimp
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS · FishBase
Big-scale sand smelt Atherina boyeri
Caught at Galata Bridge especially in spring, on small-hook sabiki rigs.
Where: Near-shore surface water around piers.
Sabiki / feather rig Float fishing Light rock fishing (LRF) Sabiki feathers Bread Dough bait Shrimp
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS
Shore rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus
A shallow-water bottom fish occasionally recorded at Galata Bridge.
Where: Shallow rocky, weedy bottoms.
Bottom fishing Float fishing Mussel Fish strip Shrimp
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · FishBase
European pilchard Sardina pilchardus
Caught at Galata Bridge especially in summer; also appears in Bosphorus handline trials.
Where: From bridges and piers on fine sabiki rigs.
Sabiki / feather rig Sabiki feathers
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS
European sprat Sprattus sprattus
Occasional, turns up among horse mackerel on sabiki rigs.
Where: From bridges and piers.
Sabiki / feather rig Sabiki feathers
Source: Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV) · İstanbul Üniversitesi AVESİS
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.