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Sea fish

Turbot

Scophthalmus maximus

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Other names: Karadeniz kalkanı

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Turbot
(c) Wiljam Eklund, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source
Habitat
Sandy depths
Method
Bottom fishing · Surf casting
Family
Scophthalmidae

Choose your region

The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Turbot caught?

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South West coast fishing spots

131
South West coast
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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. 0 Feb
  3. 38 Mar
  4. 19 Apr
  5. 0 May
  6. 9 Jun
  7. 0 Jul
  8. 0 Aug
  9. 0 Sep
  10. 35 Oct
  11. 38 Nov
  12. 0 Dec

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

  1. Güzelyalı Feribot İskelesi Kıyısı Mudanya, Bursa 40/100 Good
  2. Cam Teras Adalar, İstanbul 40/100 Good
  3. Armutlu Belediyesi Kadınlar Plajı Armutlu, Yalova 40/100 Good
  4. Turluk Deresi Erdek, Balıkesir 38/100 Weak
  5. Abana Limanı Kıyısı Abana, Kastamonu 38/100 Weak

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 day and night
  • Good at night

In October

  1. Dawn 65

    1 h before sunrise → 1.5 h after

  2. Midday 25

    1 h before midday → 1 h after

  3. Dusk Best 85

    1.5 h before sunset → 2 h after

  4. Night 80

    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 65
  2. First quarter 60
  3. Full moon 55
  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 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65
Midday 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Dusk 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85
Night 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 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

0–70 m

mostly 20–70 m

Water temperature

3–25 °C

ideal 16–19 °C

Salinity

Also enters brackish water

3.6–39.2 ‰

Shore types

  • Sandy beach
  • Cove / inner bay
  • Mixed shore
  • Shingle shore
  • Lagoon / weir mouth
  • Harbour mouth

Bottom

Lives close to the bottom

  • Sand
  • Sand and gravel
  • Sand, gravel and rock

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

Confidence: shore type medium, 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 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 bait First natural bait: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: A live small fish or shrimp, or a thin fillet strip; near the bottom. First lure: Hard minnow · Suitable Usually in this water: Jighead + soft plastic (shad/creature); hop it along the bottom. Colour: Clear, Blue-green back
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Fresh fillet strip, shrimp. First lure: Hard minnow · Very suitable Usually in this water: Jighead + soft plastic, imitation shrimp or creature. Colour: Clear, Blue-green back
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Lure first, natural also works First natural bait: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented strip (squid/mackerel), or strip and soft plastic together (tipped jighead). First lure: Spoon · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic, tipped jighead; slow. Colour: Fluorescent, Gold
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Whiting · 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: Dark silhouette, Fluorescent
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Whiting · Suitable 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: Horse mackerel, Live baitfish, Sardine, Whiting Lures: Hard minnow, Jighead + soft swimbait, Spoon
February
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Live baitfish, Sardine, Whiting Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait, Spoon
March
Natural baits: Sardine, Horse mackerel, Anchovy, Garfish Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait, Spoon
April closed season
Natural baits: Sardine, Horse mackerel, Anchovy, Garfish Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait, Spoon
May closed season
Closed season 15 April–15 June. No bait advice is shown for this month.
June closed season
Natural baits: Live baitfish, Horse mackerel, Sardine, Mackerel Lures: Jighead + soft swimbait
July
Out of season
August
Out of season
September
Out of season
October
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Live baitfish, Sardine, Whiting Lures: Hard minnow, Jighead + soft swimbait, Spoon
November
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Live baitfish, Sardine, Whiting Lures: Hard minnow, Jighead + soft swimbait, Spoon
December
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Live baitfish, Sardine, Whiting Lures: Hard minnow, Jighead + soft swimbait, 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 medium. Colour and presentation guide

Fishing technique

Fishing rules for Türkiye

Türkiye

Minimum size
45 cm
Maximum quantity
1 fish

Closed season: 15 April–15 June

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

Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text

MVT0011

2024/21 Çizelge 7

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

The table in our records

Minimum size
45 cm
Maximum quantity
1 fish
Closed season
15 April–15 June

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

Turbot
Scientific name
Scophthalmus maximus
Family
Scophthalmidae
Order
Pleuronectiformes
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Black Sea
Other names
Kalkan, Karadeniz kalkanı

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Turbot?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Turbot is 45 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Turbot closed to fishing?

The closed season for Turbot is 15 April–15 June. Fishing for it is banned within those dates. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Turbot found in?

In our records Turbot appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, 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, Baltic Sea — Germany, Black Sea — Bulgaria, Black Sea — Romania, North Sea — Netherlands, North Sea — Belgium.

In which months is Turbot at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Sea of Marmara February, March, April, May, October, November, December; Black Sea January, March, April, May, June, November, December; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy November–March; Ligurian Sea — Italy November–March; Sardinian Sea — Italy November–March; Strait of Sicily — Italy November–March; Adriatic — Italy November–March; Ionian Sea — Italy November–March; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain November–March; Cantabrian Sea — Spain October–February; Atlantic Ocean — Spain October–February; Atlantic — France March–April; Channel & North Sea — France March–April; North Sea — Germany all year; Baltic Sea — Germany all year; Black Sea — Bulgaria all year; Black Sea — Romania April–July; 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 April–October; North Sea — Belgium April–October.

Which bait is Turbot caught with?

Baits and lures on record: European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, whiting, shrimp, large bottom soft plastic, European sprat.

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