Where is European sardine caught?

European sardine

Sardina pilchardus

Sardalya

Ateş balığı

Peak this month Minimum size 11 cm

Family

Alosidae

Order

Clupeiformes

Habitat

coastal schooling fish

Seas

Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Mediterranean

Bait

bread, fish flesh · micro jig, sabiki

Technique

sabiki, float fishing

Legal status

Greece

Minimum size: 11 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

Where is European sardine caught?

Peak months by sea.

Black Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: bread, fish flesh; regional support: European anchovy / European sprat
Lure: micro jig, sabiki
Technique: Sabiki Rig

Sea of Marmara

peak this month

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

Peak condition range

Wind: 0–14 km/h
Wind direction: offshore or calm
Water temperature: 14–23 °C
Pressure: 1010–1024 hPa
Wave: 0–0,5 m

This is a general tendency; it guarantees no catch.

Aegean Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: bread, fish flesh; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
Lure: micro jig, sabiki
Technique: sabiki, float

Mediterranean

peak this month

Natural bait: bread, fish flesh; regional support: European sardine / European squid / shrimp
Lure: micro jig, sabiki
Technique: Sabiki Rig

Bait and technique

Habitat

coastal schooling fish

Fishing technique

sabiki, float fishing

Natural baits

bread, fish flesh

Lures

micro jig, sabiki

Tackle recipe

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.

Sabiki Rig

Sabiki / multi-hook rig

A multi-hook feathered rig for shoaling fish

Level: Beginner
Effort: Low–Moderate

Watch out: Multiple-hook injury

Regulations: Güncel Yunanistan ve AB mevzuatı kontrol edilir

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
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: YEM0033
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

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for European sardine?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for European sardine is 11 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı.

Which seas is European sardine found in?

In our records European sardine 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 European sardine at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Aegean Sea 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; Mediterranean all year; Ligurian Sea — Italy May–September; Sardinian Sea — Italy May–September; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy May–September; Strait of Sicily — Italy May–September; Adriatic — Italy May–September; Ionian Sea — Italy May–September; Mediterranean — Spain May–September; Alboran Sea — Spain May–September; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain May–September; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain May–September; Cantabrian Sea — Spain April–August; Atlantic Ocean — Spain June–October; Balearic Sea — Spain May–September.

Which bait is European sardine caught with?

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