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Sea fish

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

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

Other names: Çinekop · Sarıkanat · Kofana

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Bluefish
(c) Jason E. Farabaugh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source
Habitat
Current-swept shore · open water
Method
Spinning · Trolling · Bait fishing
Family
Pomatomidae

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The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Bluefish caught?

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Aegean Sea fishing spots

295
Aegean Sea
Map preview

Explore the coast on the map

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A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.

Aegean Sea

Season and suitable conditions

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

  • Wind

    6–25 km/h

    Onshore or cross-shore

  • Water temperature

    12–21 °C

  • Pressure

    1006–1019 hPa

  • Wave

    0,3–1,3 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. 76 Jan
  2. 72 Feb
  3. 72 Mar
  4. 55 Apr
  5. 74 May
  6. 72 Jun
  7. 71 Jul
  8. 74 Aug
  9. 86 Sep
  10. 91 Oct
  11. 88 Nov
  12. 78 Dec

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

  1. Aya Nikola Halk Plajı Adalar, İstanbul 98/100 Very good
  2. Beğendik Köyü Breakwater NW Demirköy, Kırklareli 98/100 Very good
  3. Cevizli Deresi Başiskele, Kocaeli 98/100 Very good
  4. Afanlı Deresi Atakum, Samsun 98/100 Very good
  5. Cayva Sahili 2 Gerze, Sinop 98/100 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 day and night
  • Good at night

In October

  1. Dawn 85

    1 h before sunrise → 1.5 h after

  2. Midday 40

    1 h before midday → 1 h after

  3. Dusk Best 100

    2 h before sunset → 1.5 h after

  4. Night 90

    0.5 h after sunset → 4 h before sunrise

Moon phase

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

  1. New moon 65
  2. First quarter 70
  3. Full moon 70
  4. Last quarter 65

Best phase: First quarter

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 75 75 75 85 85 85 70
Midday 40 40 35 35 35 40 40 40 40
Dusk 85 85 80 80 80 85 85 85 100 100 100 85
Night 75 75 70 70 70 85 85 85 90 90 90 75

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.

8 sources · confidence medium

Habitat

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

Depth

0–200 m

mostly 0–50 m

Water temperature

3.9–31.6 °C

ideal 14–27.4 °C

Salinity

Also enters brackish water

0.5–40.5 ‰

Shore types

  • Sandy beach
  • Rocky shore
  • Breakwater / jetty
  • Pier / quay
  • Headland
  • Mixed shore
  • Shingle shore
  • River / stream mouth
  • Channel / strait link
  • Harbour mouth
  • Strait shore
  • Reclaimed shore

Bottom

Lives in open water

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

Pelagic sight hunter — Chases baitfish shoals by sight. Lures shine in clear water; in murky water its hunting range shrinks.

Clear Visibility: over 8 m
Lure First natural bait: Garfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live baitfish or a whole fresh fish; thin fluorocarbon leader, no float or a light one. First lure: Stickbait · Very suitable Usually in this water: Hard minnow/stickbait, slim metal jig; fast, erratic retrieve. Colour: Clear, Silver, Blue-green back
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Lure First natural bait: Garfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live or fresh whole fish; normal size. First lure: Stickbait · Very suitable Usually in this water: Spoon, metal jig, popper/topwater; medium-fast retrieve. Colour: White, Silver, Clear
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Lure first, natural also works First natural bait: Garfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Cut oily fish (sardine/mackerel) with chum; under a float or at mid-depth. First lure: Spoon · Very suitable Usually in this water: Spinner, paddle-tail shad, metal jig one size up; vibration first. Colour: White, Pink, Silver
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Garfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Oily fish fillet, bloody chunks; chum for a scent trail; fish slower. First lure: Spoon · Suitable Usually in this water: If you must, a rattling vibe/lipless; near the bottom, slow. Colour: Pink, White
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Sardine · Suitable Usually in this water: A large, bloody chunk of oily fish; refresh the bait often. Catches usually drop. First lure: Spoon · Not recommended Colour: Colour does not matter

Night colour: Clear, Silver, White Day colour: Blue-green back

12-month bait calendar
January
Natural baits: Anchovy, Horse mackerel, Sardine Lures: Spoon, Popper, Hard minnow, Metal jig
February
Natural baits: Anchovy, Horse mackerel, Sardine Lures: Spoon, Popper, Hard minnow, Metal jig
March
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Sardine Lures: Hard minnow, Spoon, Popper, LRF micro soft plastic
April
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Sardine Lures: Hard minnow, Spoon, Popper, LRF micro soft plastic
May
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Sardine Lures: Hard minnow, Spoon, Popper, LRF micro soft plastic
June
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Sardine Lures: Popper, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Sabiki rig
July
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Sardine Lures: Popper, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Sabiki rig
August
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Picarel, Sardine Lures: Spoon, Sabiki rig, Popper, Stickbait
September
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Picarel, Sardine Lures: Spoon, Sabiki rig, Popper, Stickbait
October
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Garfish, Picarel, Sardine Lures: Spoon, Sabiki rig, Popper, Stickbait
November
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Anchovy, Picarel, Garfish Lures: Spoon, Sabiki rig, Popper, Stickbait
December
Natural baits: Horse mackerel, Anchovy, Picarel, Garfish Lures: Spoon, Popper, Hard minnow, Metal jig

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

In this region · Aegean Sea

Natural bait:
Atlantic horse mackerel, garfish, European sardine; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
Lure:
minnow, spoon, soft plastic
Technique:
Spin

Tackle recipe

Spin

Spinning

Cast-and-retrieve fishing with plugs, spoons and soft plastics

  • Level: Beginner–Advanced
  • Effort: Moderate
Rod
2.40–3.00 m; 5–40 g
Reel
2500–4000
Main line
PE 0.8–1.5
Leader/trace
0.28–0.45 mm fluorocarbon
Hook/lure
Single/treble on the lure; check regulations and safety
Bait/lure
Metal spoon
Connector
Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Lure casting path and rocky ground

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
18 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

MVT0025

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
18 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) →

Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.

Species profile

Bluefish
Scientific name
Pomatomus saltatrix
Family
Pomatomidae
Order
Scombriformes
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
Other names
Lüfer, Çinekop, Sarıkanat, Kofana

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Bluefish?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Bluefish is 18 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Bluefish closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to Bluefish — 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: 18 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Bluefish found in?

In our records Bluefish appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, Adriatic — Albania, Ionian Sea — Albania, Bay of Vlorë — 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, Black Sea — Bulgaria, Black Sea — Romania.

In which months is Bluefish at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Ionian Sea — Albania May–October; Adriatic — Albania May–October; Bay of Vlorë — Albania May–October; 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; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy May–October; Mediterranean — Spain May–October; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus June–September; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus June–September; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus June–September; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus June–September; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus June–September; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus June–September; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus June–September; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus June–September; Ligurian Sea — Italy May–October; Sardinian Sea — Italy May–October; Strait of Sicily — Italy May–October; Adriatic — Italy May–October; Ionian Sea — Italy May–October; Alboran Sea — Spain May–October; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain May–October; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain May–October; Cantabrian Sea — Spain April–September; Atlantic Ocean — Spain April–September; Balearic Sea — Spain May–October; Black Sea — Bulgaria August–November; Black Sea — Romania September–October.

Which bait is Bluefish caught with?

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

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Open fishing grounds on the map
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