Skip to content
Piscatorium
Sign in

Sea fish

Common sole

Solea solea

Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.

Other names: Adi dil

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Common sole
Diego Delso (Wikimedia Commons) · source
Habitat
Sandy · muddy bottom
Method
Bottom fishing · Surf casting
Family
Soleidae

Choose your region

The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Common sole caught?

Explore the regions or go straight to the map.

South West coast fishing spots

131
South West coast
Map preview

Explore the coast on the map

Open map

A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.

South West coast

Season and suitable conditions

Check the season information for the region you chose.

Peak months: Mar, Apr

Season information is no guarantee of a catch.

Best spots in October

By month

Average monthly score of the spots in Turkey (0–100).

  1. 0 Jan
  2. 36 Feb
  3. 72 Mar
  4. 72 Apr
  5. 43 May
  6. 40 Jun
  7. 36 Jul
  8. 35 Aug
  9. 37 Sep
  10. 64 Oct
  11. 66 Nov
  12. 72 Dec

The best spot in each Turkish province, by this month’s score.

  1. Ilıca Deresi Balçova, İzmir 78/100 Very good
  2. Akdeniz Sitesi Sahili Bodrum, Muğla 76/100 Very good
  3. Akbük Halk Plajı Didim, Aydın 74/100 Very good
  4. Duba Plajı Ayvalık, Balıkesir 73/100 Very good
  5. Büyükkumla Deresi Gemlik, Bursa 73/100 Very good

A 0–100 score from season, water temperature, habitat and local records; a general trend, not a guarantee.

Best times of day

When in the day it bites best, month by month.

  • Active at night
  • Good at night

In October

  1. Dawn 55

    2 h before sunrise → 0.5 h after

  2. Dusk 75

    0.5 h before sunset → 2 h after

  3. Night Best 95

    0.5 h after sunset → 1.5 h before sunrise

Moon phase

Effect of the moon on night fishing; the scores compare the phases.

  1. New moon 75
  2. First quarter 60
  3. Full moon 50
  4. Last quarter 60

Best phase: New moon

Windows across 12 months

Best times of day J F M A M J J A S O N D
Dawn 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
Midday
Dusk 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75
Night 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95

Windows follow sunrise and sunset; clock times change with place and date. Scores are relative within the month: 100 is the best window of the day.

3 sources · confidence medium

Habitat

Where it lives and in what kind of water: ranges compiled by the research.

Depth

0–150 m

mostly 10–60 m

Water temperature

6–28 °C

ideal 20–25 °C

Salinity

Also enters brackish water

3.6–40 ‰

Shore types

  • Sandy beach
  • Delta / alluvial shore
  • Cove / inner bay
  • Mixed shore
  • River / stream mouth
  • Lagoon / weir mouth
  • Inside harbours
  • Tidal flat / marsh
  • Harbour mouth

Bottom

Lives close to the bottom

  • Sand

Ranges from FishBase, AquaMaps and the literature; a general tendency, not a hard limit.

Confidence: shore type high, temperature high

Bait and tackle suggestions

Recorded baits and fishing techniques.

Bait by month

Baits documented for shore fishing, month by month and by water clarity.

In October

Natural baits

Lures

By water clarity

Bottom scent / lateral-line hunter — Searches the bottom with barbels, smell and lateral line. Has the edge in murky water.

Clear Visibility: over 8 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Diopatra tube worm · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live or very fresh worm, shrimp, mole crab; small hidden hook; sunset and night first. First lure: Soft shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Only where it is known to work locally: scented soft plastic or worm, dragged slowly along the bottom. Colour: Natural brown, Red
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Diopatra tube worm · Very suitable Usually in this water: Worm and shrimp; fresh mussel. First lure: Soft shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic; bead attractor (for flatfish). Colour: Pink, White, Red
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Diopatra tube worm · Very suitable Usually in this water: Bloodworm, mussel, sardine; worm and squid cocktail; the most productive water. First lure: Soft shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic with scent gel; bead attractor. Colour: Fluorescent
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Sardine · Very suitable Usually in this water: Heavy scent: a cocktail (worm with squid or fish), crab; on the bottom. First lure: Soft shrimp · Weak Usually in this water: Not recommended; if you must, scented soft plastic. Colour: Fluorescent, Glow (UV)
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Sardine · Very suitable Usually in this water: Oily fish and worm cocktail, crab; big pieces, refreshed often. First lure: Soft shrimp · Not recommended
12-month bait calendar
January closed season
Closed season 1 January–15 February. No bait advice is shown for this month.
February closed season
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
March
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
April
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
May
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
June
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
July
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
August
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
September
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
October
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
November
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp
December
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Mud shrimp, Imported ragworm, Sardine Lures: Soft shrimp

This is the usual pattern; the water and weather on the day can change it. Colour is fine-tuning: bait type, size and action come first. Confidence: natural high, lures low. Colour and presentation guide

Fishing technique

Fishing rules for Türkiye

Türkiye

Minimum size
20 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

Closed season: 1 January–15 February

Single-species or mixed total; details and exceptions are in the regulation.

Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text

MVT0007

2024/21 Çizelge 7

No additional species note; the general provisions of 2024/21 apply

The table in our records

Minimum size
20 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg
Closed season
1 January–15 February

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Fishing rules for Greece

Greece

Minimum size
20 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

Closed season: Tür/alan/dönem için daha sıkı kural olabilir

Legal basis: EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı communiqué text

Species size/quantity limit

EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı

AB asgari boy + Yunan Sahil Güvenliği genel günlük miktar çerçevesi; resmî güncel metin kontrol edilir

The table in our records

Minimum size
20 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg
Closed season
Tür/alan/dönem için daha sıkı kural olabilir

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.

Species profile

Common sole
Scientific name
Solea solea
Family
Soleidae
Order
Pleuronectiformes
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, Black Sea
Other names
Dil balığı, Adi dil

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Common sole?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Common sole is 20 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Common sole closed to fishing?

The closed season for Common sole is 1 January–15 February. Fishing for it is banned within those dates. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Common sole found in?

In our records Common sole appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, Adriatic — Albania, Ionian Sea — Albania, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus, Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus, Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus, Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus, Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus, Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus, Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Mediterranean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Balearic Sea — Spain, Alboran Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, Strait of Gibraltar — Spain, Mediterranean — France, Atlantic — France, Channel & North Sea — France, North East coast — England, East coast — England, South East coast — England, South coast — England, South West coast — England, North West coast — England, North Sea — Germany, North Sea — Netherlands, North Sea — Belgium.

In which months is Common sole at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Ionian Sea — Albania November–March; Adriatic — Albania November–March; Sea of Marmara October–May; Aegean Sea October–May; Mediterranean September–April; Black Sea all year; North Aegean & Thrace — Greece October–April; Central & South Aegean — Greece October–April; Ionian Sea — Greece October–April; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece September–June; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy October–February; Mediterranean — Spain October–February; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus all year; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus all year; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus all year; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus all year; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus all year; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ligurian Sea — Italy October–February; Sardinian Sea — Italy October–February; Adriatic — Italy October–February; Strait of Sicily — Italy October–February; Ionian Sea — Italy October–February; Alboran Sea — Spain October–February; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain October–February; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain October–February; Cantabrian Sea — Spain September–January; Atlantic Ocean — Spain September–January; Balearic Sea — Spain October–February; Atlantic — France March–April; Mediterranean — France March–April; Channel & North Sea — France March–April; North Sea — Germany all year; North East coast — England March–April; East coast — England March–April; South East coast — England March–April; South coast — England March–April; South West coast — England March–April; North West coast — England March–April; North Sea — Netherlands June–September; North Sea — Belgium June–September.

Which bait is Common sole caught with?

Baits and lures on record: tubeworm, shrimp, mamun, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, bottom soft plastic, European sardine, sülünez, European squid, European sprat.

Similar species

Pick your spot, check the conditions, then head out.

Open fishing grounds on the map
Open fishing grounds on the map · 2,336 fishing grounds

Pisca AI

Members only

Ask about this species

Common sole · Solea solea

Works with Piscatorium data: spot scores, seasonal species and tackle recipes. Type your question and the chat opens in the side panel.

What can you ask?

Weigh the answers together with their sources.

Ask Pisca AI

Pro membership

PRO MEMBERSHIP