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Sea fish

Atlantic horse mackerel

Trachurus trachurus

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

Other names: Karagöz istavrit

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Atlantic horse mackerel
(c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source
Habitat
Piers and open water
Method
Sabiki · LRF
Family
Carangidae

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The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Atlantic horse mackerel caught?

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Sea of Marmara fishing spots

388
Sea of Marmara
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A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.

Sea of Marmara

Season and suitable conditions

Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.

  • Wind

    0–18 km/h

    Offshore or cross-shore

  • Water temperature

    12–23 °C

  • Pressure

    1010–1023 hPa

  • Wave

    0,1–0,8 m

General ranges for the species; not live weather. No guarantee of a catch.

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. 63 Jan
  2. 61 Feb
  3. 60 Mar
  4. 63 Apr
  5. 68 May
  6. 64 Jun
  7. 61 Jul
  8. 66 Aug
  9. 73 Sep
  10. 71 Oct
  11. 74 Nov
  12. 68 Dec

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

  1. Edincikaltı Plajı Bandırma, Balıkesir 88/100 Very good
  2. Cavit Çağlar İskelesi Gemlik, Bursa 88/100 Very good
  3. Bolayır Plajı Gelibolu, Çanakkale 88/100 Very good
  4. Aya Nikola Halk Plajı Adalar, İstanbul 88/100 Very good
  5. Başiskele Sahil Parkı Başiskele, Kocaeli 88/100 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 dawn and dusk
  • Good at night

In October

  1. Dawn 75

    1 h before sunrise → 1.5 h after

  2. Midday 45

    1 h before midday → 1 h after

  3. Dusk Best 90

    1.5 h before sunset → 1.5 h after

  4. Night 85

    1 h after sunset → 2 h before sunrise

Moon phase

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

  1. New moon 80
  2. First quarter 65
  3. Full moon 45
  4. Last quarter 65

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 70 70 70 70 70 65 65 65 75 75 75 70
Midday 45 45 35 35 35 45 45 45 45
Dusk 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 90 90 90 85
Night 80 80 75 75 75 85 85 85 85 85 85 80

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

0–1,050 m

mostly 100–200 m

Water temperature

1.9–27.6 °C

ideal 12–18 °C

Salinity

Full-strength seawater

15–39.3 ‰

Shore types

  • Sandy beach
  • Cove / inner bay
  • Breakwater / jetty
  • Pier / quay
  • Around marinas
  • Headland
  • Promenade / seafront
  • Channel / strait link
  • Inside harbours
  • Harbour mouth
  • Strait shore
  • Reclaimed shore

Bottom

Lives close to the bottom

  • Sand

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

Confidence: shore type medium, 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

Processed bait (all year)

  • Chicken

By water clarity

Small shoaling fish / planktivore — Small-mouthed, picks its food by sight. Small, shiny lures such as sabiki rigs take the lead in clear water.

Clear Visibility: over 8 m
Lure First natural bait: Diopatra tube worm · Very suitable Usually in this water: Very small fresh pieces (shrimp, worm, fish flesh); thin leader, small hook. First lure: LRF micro soft plastic · Very suitable Usually in this water: Sabiki rig, small feathers, micro jig; twitch slowly. Colour: Clear, Silver, Blue-green back
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Lure First natural bait: Diopatra tube worm · Very suitable Usually in this water: Small fresh pieces; the sabiki hooks can be baited. First lure: Sabiki rig · Very suitable Usually in this water: Sabiki rig, micro jig, small spoon. Colour: White, Silver, Clear
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Diopatra tube worm · Very suitable Usually in this water: Worm or shrimp pieces on the sabiki (baited sabiki); chum. First lure: Sabiki rig · Very suitable Usually in this water: Baited sabiki, scented micro soft plastic. Colour: White, Silver, Glow (UV)
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Scented small pieces with chum; at night under lights. First lure: Scented soft plastic · Suitable Usually in this water: UV/glow sabiki, lighted float. Colour: Glow (UV), White
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Hard going; chum and scented small pieces. First lure: Scented soft plastic · Weak Colour: Glow (UV)

Night colour: Silver, White, Blue-green back, Glow (UV)

12-month bait calendar
January
Natural baits: Shrimp, Squid, Imported ragworm, Horse mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Scented soft plastic
February
Natural baits: Shrimp, Squid, Imported ragworm, Horse mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Scented soft plastic
March
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Razor clam, Shrimp, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Scented soft plastic
April
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Razor clam, Shrimp, Squid Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Sabiki rig, Scented soft plastic, Metal jig
May
Natural baits: Diopatra tube worm, Razor clam, Shrimp, Squid Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Sabiki rig, Scented soft plastic, Metal jig
June
Natural baits: Shrimp, Mussel, Diopatra tube worm, Squid Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Sabiki rig, Scented soft plastic, Metal jig
July
Natural baits: Shrimp, Mussel, Diopatra tube worm, Squid Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Sabiki rig, Scented soft plastic, Metal jig
August
Natural baits: Shrimp, Mussel, Diopatra tube worm, Squid Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Sabiki rig, Scented soft plastic, Metal jig
September
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Squid, Horse mackerel Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Sabiki rig, Scented soft plastic, Metal jig
October
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Squid, Horse mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Scented soft plastic
November
Natural baits: Shrimp, Diopatra tube worm, Squid, Horse mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Scented soft plastic
December
Natural baits: Shrimp, Squid, Imported ragworm, Horse mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Scented soft plastic

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 low. Colour and presentation guide

Natural baits

Fishing technique

In this region · Sea of Marmara

Natural bait:
shrimp, European anchovy chunk; regional support: European anchovy / Atlantic horse mackerel / shrimp
Lure:
sabiki, micro jig
Technique:
Sabiki Rig

Tackle recipe

Sabiki Rig

Sabiki / multi-hook rig

A multi-hook feathered rig for shoaling fish

  • Level: Beginner
  • Effort: Low–Moderate
Rod
2.40–3.60 m; 20–80 g
Reel
3000–5000
Main line
0.22–0.35 mm mono or PE 0.8–1.5
Leader/trace
Ready-made trace 0.18–0.30 mm
Hook/lure
Max 15 hooks
Bait/lure
Feathered sabiki
Connector
Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Multiple-hook injury

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.

Tackle recipe

LRF

Light Rock Fishing

Small and medium shore species on light lures of about 1 – 12 g

  • Level: Beginner–Advanced
  • Effort: Low–Moderate
Rod
1.80–2.40 m; 0.5–10 g
Reel
1000–2500
Main line
PE 0.2–0.6 or 0.14–0.20 mm mono
Leader/trace
0.16–0.26 mm fluorocarbon
Hook/lure
Jighead #10–#2; 0.5–7 g
Bait/lure
YEM0025
Connector
Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Hooks, slippery ground and night visibility

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

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
13 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

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

MVT0009

2024/21 Çizelge 7

Two scientific names are regulated together No species-based time closure is stated; the area and method provisions are reserved

The table in our records

Minimum size
13 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

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
15 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
15 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

Atlantic horse mackerel
Scientific name
Trachurus trachurus
Family
Carangidae
Order
Carangiformes
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
Other names
İstavrit, Karagöz istavrit

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Atlantic horse mackerel?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Atlantic horse mackerel is 13 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Atlantic horse mackerel closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to Atlantic horse mackerel — 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: 13 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Atlantic horse mackerel found in?

In our records Atlantic horse mackerel appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, 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.

In which months is Atlantic horse mackerel at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: North Aegean & Thrace — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Central & South Aegean — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Ionian Sea — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece April–November; Sea of Marmara all year; Black Sea all year; Aegean Sea all year; Mediterranean all year; Mediterranean — Spain March, April, May, October, November; Ligurian Sea — Italy March, April, May, October, November; Sardinian Sea — Italy March, April, October, November; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy March, April, October, November; Adriatic — Italy March, April, May, October, November; Strait of Sicily — Italy March, April, October, November; Ionian Sea — Italy March, April, October, November; Alboran Sea — Spain March, April, October, November; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain March, April, October, November; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain March, April, May, October, November; Cantabrian Sea — Spain February, March, April, September, October; Atlantic Ocean — Spain February, March, April, September, October; Balearic Sea — Spain March, April, May, October, November.

Which bait is Atlantic horse mackerel caught with?

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

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