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Sea fish

Common pandora

Pagellus erythrinus

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

Other names: Kırma mercan

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Common pandora
(c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source
Habitat
Stony · sandy depths
Method
Bottom fishing · Light jigging
Family
Sparidae

Choose your region

The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Common pandora caught?

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Adriatic fishing spots

218
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. 46 Jan
  2. 46 Feb
  3. 46 Mar
  4. 65 Apr
  5. 74 May
  6. 64 Jun
  7. 59 Jul
  8. 58 Aug
  9. 60 Sep
  10. 65 Oct
  11. 47 Nov
  12. 64 Dec

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

  1. İğneada Limanı Dış Kıyısı Demirköy, Kırklareli 82/100 Very good
  2. Avana Plajı Bozcaada, Çanakkale 81/100 Very good
  3. Enez Limanı Dış Kıyısı Enez, Edirne 80/100 Very good
  4. Ayvalık Belediyesi Plaj İşletmesi Ayvalık, Balıkesir 79/100 Very good
  5. Akvaryum Dikili, İzmir 79/100 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
  • Poor at night

In October

  1. Dawn 75

    1 h before sunrise → 2 h after

  2. Midday 60

    1 h before midday → 1.5 h after

  3. Dusk Best 85

    2 h before sunset → 1 h after

Not productive at night

Moon phase

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

  1. New moon 20
  2. First quarter 20
  3. Full moon 25
  4. Last quarter 20

Best phase: No clear effect

Windows across 12 months

Best times of day J F M A M J J A S O N D
Dawn 70 70 70 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 70
Midday 70 70 70 60 60 40 40 40 40 60 60 70
Dusk 70 70 70 85 85 90 90 90 90 85 85 70
Night

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

5–320 m

mostly 20–100 m

Water temperature

10.1–27.2 °C

ideal 18–21 °C

Salinity

Full-strength seawater

16.3–40.6 ‰

Shore types

  • Sandy beach
  • Cove / inner bay
  • Rocky shore
  • Breakwater / jetty
  • Headland
  • Mixed shore
  • Shingle shore
  • Cliff / steep shore
  • Harbour mouth
  • Reclaimed shore

Bottom

Lives close to the bottom

  • Sand
  • Sand and gravel
  • Gravel
  • Rock
  • Sand, gravel and rock

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

By water clarity

Rock / bottom omnivore — Picks up crustaceans, worms and weed. Wary; relies on smell and a natural look.

Clear Visibility: over 8 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Cuttlefish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live shrimp, tube worm, mud shrimp, mussel; thin line, small hidden hook; little chum. First lure: LRF micro soft plastic · Very suitable Usually in this water: LRF micro soft plastic, imitation shrimp; very small, slow. Colour: Clear, Natural brown, Red
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Cuttlefish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Shrimp, worm, mussel; normal pieces. First lure: LRF micro soft plastic · Very suitable Usually in this water: LRF/micro soft plastic, imitation shrimp. Colour: Pink, White, Red
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Mussel, crab, sardine pieces with chum (crushed mussel or bread). First lure: Tenya / inchiku · Very suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic (Isome/Gulp type); slow, on the bottom. Colour: Fluorescent, Pink
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Crab, mussel, razor clam; bottom rig; strong scent. First lure: Tenya / inchiku · Very suitable Usually in this water: Weak; scented soft plastic only. Colour: Fluorescent, Dark silhouette, Red
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Mussel, crab, cut bait; big pieces. First lure: Tenya / inchiku · Weak
12-month bait calendar
January
Natural baits: Sardine, Razor clam, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
February
Natural baits: Sardine, Razor clam, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
March
Natural baits: Sardine, Razor clam, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
April
Natural baits: Razor clam, Sardine, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
May
Natural baits: Razor clam, Sardine, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
June
Natural baits: Razor clam, Sardine, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
July
Natural baits: Razor clam, Sardine, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
August
Natural baits: Razor clam, Sardine, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
September
Natural baits: Razor clam, Sardine, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
October
Natural baits: Sardine, Razor clam, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
November
Natural baits: Sardine, Razor clam, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku
December
Natural baits: Sardine, Razor clam, Shrimp, Cuttlefish Lures: LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon, Tenya / inchiku

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

Fishing rules for Türkiye

Türkiye

Minimum size
15 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

MVT0019

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
15 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

Common pandora
Scientific name
Pagellus erythrinus
Family
Sparidae
Order
Eupercaria incertae sedis
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
Other names
Mercan, Kırma mercan

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Common pandora?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Common pandora is 15 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Common pandora closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to Common pandora — 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: 15 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Common pandora found in?

In our records Common pandora appears in these seas: Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, 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, Adriatic — Croatia.

In which months is Common pandora at its peak?

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

Which bait is Common pandora caught with?

Baits and lures on record: shrimp, European squid, European sardine, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, kabura jig, inchiku, mamun, sülünez.

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