Caution. Very sharp teeth: use pliers to unhook.
Usual size
30–60 cm
Maximum
120 cm
Where
Rock · Harbours and breakwaters · Open sea (by boat)
When
Rough abundance from shore in each sea
Gulf of Cádiz
Mediterranean and Balearics
Canary Islands
Late spring to autumn, at dawn and dusk around breakwaters and harbour mouths, hunting in groups.
Natural baits
- Live fish
- Sardine or mackerel strip
Lures
- Slim minnows and soft baits
- Stickbaits
- Light jigs
How to recognise it
Very long body, protruding lower jaw with sharp teeth and dark bands on the back.
Tip
Use a heavy or thin wire leader: its teeth cut mono. Long pauses during the retrieve trigger strikes.
Minimum size and rules by area
Atlantic Andalusia
Mediterranean Andalusia
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 60 cm; release smaller fish.
Ceuta
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 60 cm; release smaller fish.
Melilla
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 60 cm; release smaller fish.
Murcia
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 60 cm; release smaller fish.
Valencia region
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 60 cm; release smaller fish.
Catalonia
At most 3 per person per day.
Balearic Islands
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 60 cm; release smaller fish.
Canary Islands
Fish are measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail; squid and cuttlefish by the mantle. If it is undersized, release it alive.
Official sources →