Sea fish
Southern flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma
Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.
- Habitat
- Nehir ağzı · kumluk dip · çamurlu dip · iskele
Best times of day
When in the day it bites best, month by month.
- Active day and night
- Good at night
In November
-
Dawn Best 80
1 h before sunrise → 2.5 h after
-
Midday 60
1 h before midday → 2 h after
-
Dusk 80
2 h before sunset → 1 h after
-
Night 70
1 h after sunset → 4 h before sunrise
Moon phase
Effect of the moon on night fishing; the scores compare the phases.
- New moon 85
- First quarter 60
- Full moon 35
- Last quarter 60
Best phase: New moon
Windows across 12 months
| Best times of day | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn | 55 | 55 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 80 | 80 | 55 |
| Midday | 75 | 75 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 75 | ||||
| Dusk | 65 | 65 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 65 |
| Night | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 70 | 70 |
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 medium
Habitat
Where it lives and in what kind of water: ranges compiled by the research.
Depth
1–43 m
mostly 1–40 m
Water temperature
5–33 °C
ideal 23–28 °C
Salinity
Also enters brackish water
0–34 ‰
Shore types
- Sandy beach
- Delta / alluvial shore
- Cove / inner bay
- Breakwater / jetty
- Pier / quay
- 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 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 November
Lures
- Jighead + soft swimbait
- Scented soft plastic
- Soft plastic shrimp
By water clarity
Bottom ambush predator — Hides on the bottom and grabs whatever passes in front. Movement and the lateral line matter; a scented strip works well too.
- Clear Visibility: over 8 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Killifish · Very suitable Usually in this water: A live small fish or shrimp, or a thin fillet strip; near the bottom. First lure: Soft plastic shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Jighead + soft plastic (shad/creature); hop it along the bottom. Colour: White
- Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Killifish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Fresh fillet strip, shrimp. First lure: Soft plastic shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Jighead + soft plastic, imitation shrimp or creature. Colour: White
- Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented strip (squid/mackerel), or strip and soft plastic together (tipped jighead). First lure: Jighead + soft swimbait · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic, tipped jighead; slow. Colour: White, Gold
- Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Scented strip or fillet; bottom rig; little movement. First lure: Jighead + soft swimbait · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic; rattle. Colour: Gold, White
- Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Weak Usually in this water: A big scented chunk; on the bottom. First lure: Jighead + soft swimbait · Weak Colour: Colour does not matter
12-month bait calendar
- January
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- February
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- March
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- April
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- May
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- June
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- July
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- August
- Natural baits: Killifish, Mullet, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
- September
- Natural baits: Mullet, Killifish, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait, Scented soft plastic, Soft plastic shrimp
- October
- Natural baits: Mullet, Killifish, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait, Scented soft plastic, Soft plastic shrimp
- November
- Natural baits: Mullet, Killifish, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait, Scented soft plastic, Soft plastic shrimp
- December
- Natural baits: Mullet, Killifish, Shrimp Lures: Scented soft plastic, Jighead + soft swimbait
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 medium, lures high. Colour and presentation guide
Fishing rules
The regulation holds no separate minimum size or closed season entry for this species. The provisions for Türkiye as a whole apply.
Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.
Species profile
- Scientific name
- Paralichthys lethostigma
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Other names
- Southern flounder
