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Sea fish

Brown meagre

Sciaena umbra

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

Other names: Taş balığı

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Brown meagre
(c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source
Habitat
Rocky shore
Method
Bottom fishing · LRF
Family
Sciaenidae

Choose your region

The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Brown meagre caught?

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Adriatic fishing spots

1,120
Adriatic
Map preview

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A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.

Adriatic

Season and suitable conditions

Check the season information for the region you chose.

Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

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. 32 Jan
  2. 32 Feb
  3. 32 Mar
  4. 65 Apr
  5. 76 May
  6. 71 Jun
  7. 67 Jul
  8. 65 Aug
  9. 68 Sep
  10. 72 Oct
  11. 75 Nov
  12. 65 Dec

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

  1. Karacabey Boğazı Karacabey, Bursa 83/100 Very good
  2. Cam Teras Adalar, İstanbul 83/100 Very good
  3. Armutlu Belediyesi Kadınlar Plajı Armutlu, Yalova 83/100 Very good
  4. Bulanık Dere Demirköy, Kırklareli 82/100 Very good
  5. Kocaman Deresi Alaplı, Zonguldak 82/100 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

    1 h before sunrise → 1.5 h after

  2. Dusk Best 85

    1.5 h before sunset → 2 h after

  3. Night 85

    1 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 60
  2. First quarter 65
  3. Full moon 60
  4. Last quarter 65

Best phase: Last quarter

Windows across 12 months

Best times of day J F M A M J J A S O N D
Dawn 40 40 40 55 55 50 50 50 50 55 55 40
Midday
Dusk 65 65 65 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 65
Night 55 55 55 85 85 95 95 95 95 85 85 55

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.

5 sources · confidence high

Habitat

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

Depth

1–200 m

mostly 5–50 m

Water temperature

12.6–28 °C

ideal 18–21 °C

Salinity

Full-strength seawater

15–39.5 ‰

Shore types

  • Sandy beach
  • Cove / inner bay
  • Rocky shore
  • Breakwater / jetty
  • Headland
  • Mixed shore
  • River / stream mouth
  • Cliff / steep shore
  • Harbour mouth
  • Reclaimed shore
  • Shoal / reef

Bottom

Lives close to the bottom

  • Sand
  • Rock
  • Sand, gravel and rock
  • Seagrass

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

Confidence: shore type high, temperature medium

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: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live or very fresh worm, shrimp, mole crab; small hidden hook; sunset and night first. First lure: LRF micro soft plastic · 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: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Worm and shrimp; fresh mussel. First lure: LRF micro soft plastic · 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: Crab · Very suitable Usually in this water: Bloodworm, mussel, sardine; worm and squid cocktail; the most productive water. First lure: Spoon · Very 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: Crab · Very suitable Usually in this water: Heavy scent: a cocktail (worm with squid or fish), crab; on the bottom. First lure: Scented soft plastic · Suitable 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: Crab · Very suitable Usually in this water: Oily fish and worm cocktail, crab; big pieces, refreshed often. First lure: Scented soft plastic · Weak
12-month bait calendar
January
Natural baits: Shrimp, Mussel, Diopatra tube worm, Crab Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
February
Natural baits: Shrimp, Mussel, Diopatra tube worm, Crab Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
March
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
April
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
May
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
June
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
July
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
August
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
September
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
October
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
November
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Crab, Live baitfish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon
December
Natural baits: Shrimp, Mussel, Diopatra tube worm, Crab Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Soft shrimp, Scented soft plastic, Spoon

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 high. Colour and presentation guide

Fishing technique

Tackle recipe

Rock Fishing

Natural-bait fishing from rocks

Heavy natural-bait bottom or float fishing on rocky/cliff shores

  • Level: Advanced
  • Effort: Moderate–High
Rod
2.40–3.60 m; 20–100 g
Reel
3000–5000
Main line
Abrasion-resistant PE 1.0–2.0
Leader/trace
0.35–0.60 mm
Hook/lure
#6–3/0
Bait/lure
European squid strip
Connector
Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Waves, falls and fishing alone

Keep with you: Pliers, hook remover, glasses and first aid

Regulations: Communiqué 2024/21 Article 16 hook and line limits and place bans are checked

  • Rod

  • Reel

  • Line and leader

A setup to start from. Rod length, line diameter and drag are changed to suit the size of fish you are after and the current and bottom structure of the ground.

See tackle suggestions

Fishing rules for Türkiye

Türkiye

Minimum size
35 cm
Maximum quantity
3 fish

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

No species-specific closed season is listed; area and method rules still apply.

Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text

MVT0008

2024/21 Çizelge 7

No additional species note; the general provisions of 2024/21 apply No species-based time closure is stated; the area and method provisions are reserved

The table in our records

Minimum size
35 cm
Maximum quantity
3 fish

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
45 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
45 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

Brown meagre
Scientific name
Sciaena umbra
Family
Sciaenidae
Order
Eupercaria incertae sedis
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
Other names
Eşkina, Taş balığı

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Brown meagre?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Brown meagre is 35 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Brown meagre closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to Brown meagre — the regulations set no time ban for this species. Area and gear rules still apply. The limit that applies all year is the minimum size: 35 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Brown meagre found in?

In our records Brown meagre appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, 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, Adriatic — Croatia.

In which months is Brown meagre at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Sea of Marmara all year; Black Sea all year; Aegean Sea all year; Mediterranean all year; 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; Sardinian Sea — Italy May, June, September, October; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy May, June, September, October; Adriatic — Italy May, June, September, October; Ionian Sea — Italy May, June, September, October; Ligurian Sea — Italy May, June, September, October; Strait of Sicily — Italy May, June, September, October; Mediterranean — Spain May, June, September, October; Alboran Sea — Spain May, June, September, October; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain May, June, September, October; Cantabrian Sea — Spain April, May, August, September; Atlantic Ocean — Spain April, May, August, September; Balearic Sea — Spain May, June, September, October; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain May, June, September, October; Adriatic — Croatia May–October.

Which bait is Brown meagre caught with?

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

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Open fishing grounds on the map
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