Sea fish
Common dentex
Dentex dentex
Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.
Other names: Sinagrit · Adi sinarit
- Habitat
- Stony ground and reef
- Method
- Trolling · Jigging · Bottom fishing
- Family
- Sparidae
Choose your region
The information changes with the region you choose.
Where is Common dentex caught?
Explore the regions or go straight to the map.
North Aegean & Thrace fishing spots
81Central & South Aegean fishing spots
103Ionian Sea fishing spots
46Crete & Libyan Sea fishing spots
27Sea of Marmara fishing spots
Aegean Sea fishing spots
Mediterranean fishing spots
Famagusta–İskele fishing spots
3Güzelyurt Bay fishing spots
2Kyrenia north coast fishing spots
4Karpas Peninsula fishing spots
5Paphos–Limassol south coast fishing spots
16Ayia Napa–Protaras fishing spots
6Akamas–Paphos west coast fishing spots
8Larnaca southeast coast fishing spots
9Atlantic Ocean fishing spots
Cantabrian Sea fishing spots
Adriatic fishing spots
1,086Mediterranean fishing spots
13081 fishing grounds
103 fishing grounds
46 fishing grounds
27 fishing grounds
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
3 fishing grounds
2 fishing grounds
4 fishing grounds
5 fishing grounds
16 fishing grounds
6 fishing grounds
8 fishing grounds
9 fishing grounds
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
- Arat Primorje-Gorski Kotar · Otok Losinj
- Arbanasi Zadar
- Artatore Primorje-Gorski Kotar · Otok Losinj
- Baba Šibenik-Knin · Otok Sit
- Babina Dubrovnik-Neretva · Korčula
- Babina Guzica Šibenik-Knin · Otok Kurba Vela
- Babino Polje Dubrovnik-Neretva · Mljet
- Babuljaš Mali Šibenik-Knin · Otok Zut
130 fishing grounds
No fishing ground or region matches your search.
A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.
North Aegean & Thrace
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Central & South Aegean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Ionian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Crete & Libyan Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Sea of Marmara
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Aegean Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Mediterranean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Famagusta–İskele
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Güzelyurt Bay
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Kyrenia north coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Karpas Peninsula
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Paphos–Limassol south coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Ayia Napa–Protaras
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Akamas–Paphos west coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Larnaca southeast coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Atlantic Ocean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Aug, Sep
Cantabrian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Aug, Sep
Adriatic
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Mediterranean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Season information is no guarantee of a catch.
Best spots in October
By month
Average monthly score of the spots in Turkey (0–100).
- 37 Jan
- 37 Feb
- 37 Mar
- 44 Apr
- 48 May
- 34 Jun
- 30 Jul
- 26 Aug
- 30 Sep
- 40 Oct
- 37 Nov
- 36 Dec
The best spot in each Turkish province, by this month’s score.
- Avana Plajı Bozcaada, Çanakkale 52/100 Good
- Sultaniçe Sahili 2 Enez, Edirne 52/100 Good
- Tilki Koyu Gömeç, Balıkesir 51/100 Good
- Denizköy Plajı Dikili, İzmir 51/100 Good
- Wild stone beach Datça, Muğla 50/100 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
-
Dawn Best 90
1 h before sunrise → 2 h after
-
Midday 35
1 h before midday → 1.5 h after
-
Dusk 75
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.
- New moon 20
- First quarter 20
- Full moon 25
- Last quarter 20
Best phase: No clear effect
Windows across 12 months
| Best times of day | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 |
| Midday | 50 | 50 | 50 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 50 | ||||
| Dusk | 70 | 70 | 70 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 75 | 75 | 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
0–200 m
mostly 15–50 m
Water temperature
10.1–25.2 °C
ideal 17–21 °C
Salinity
Full-strength seawater
15.6–40.2 ‰
Shore types
- Rocky shore
- Breakwater / jetty
- Headland
- Mixed shore
- Cliff / steep shore
- Harbour mouth
- Strait shore
- Reclaimed shore
- Shoal / reef
Bottom
Lives close to the bottom
- Rock
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
By water clarity
Inshore / reef predator — Semi-pelagic; ambushes and chases. Good eyesight and a strong lateral line; takes both kinds of bait.
- Clear Visibility: over 8 m
- Lure first, natural also works First natural bait: Mullet · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live shrimp or a live small fish; thin leader; dawn, dusk and night first. First lure: Hard minnow · Very suitable Usually in this water: Natural-coloured soft shad/minnow, LRF, slim hard lure; slow and natural. Colour: Clear
- Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
- Lure first, natural also works First natural bait: Mullet · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live shrimp or worm, fresh sardine pieces. First lure: Hard minnow · Very suitable Usually in this water: Hard minnow, jighead + shad, stickbait. Colour: Clear
- Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
- Lure first, natural also works First natural bait: Mullet · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live shrimp or worm, or a piece of oily fish; one size bigger. First lure: Metal jig · Very suitable Usually in this water: Paddle-tail shad, vibe, spinner; vibration first. Colour: White, Fluorescent, Gold
- Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Mullet · Suitable Usually in this water: Bloodworm, crab, cut bait; on the bottom or at mid-depth; chum. First lure: Jighead + soft swimbait · Very suitable Usually in this water: Rattling vibe, scented soft plastic; near the bottom, slow. Colour: Dark silhouette, Red, Fluorescent
- Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Mullet · Weak Usually in this water: The strongest scent: fish guts, cut mackerel or sardine, mussel; big pieces. First lure: Jighead + soft swimbait · Weak Usually in this water: Not recommended; if you must, scented and rattling. Colour: Dark silhouette
12-month bait calendar
- January
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Octopus piece, Sardine Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- February
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Octopus piece, Sardine Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- March
- Natural baits: Squid, Red mullet, Cuttlefish, Sardine Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- April
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Mullet, Horse mackerel Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- May
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Mullet, Horse mackerel Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- June
- Natural baits: Squid, Garfish, Scorpionfish or weever, Horse mackerel Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- July
- Natural baits: Squid, Garfish, Scorpionfish or weever, Horse mackerel Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- August
- Natural baits: Squid, Garfish, Scorpionfish or weever, Horse mackerel Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- September
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Garfish, Mullet Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- October
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Garfish, Mullet Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- November
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Garfish, Mullet Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, Tenya / inchiku
- December
- Natural baits: Squid, Cuttlefish, Sardine, Octopus piece Lures: Hard minnow, Metal jig, Jighead + soft swimbait, 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
Natural baits
In this region · Sea of Marmara
- Natural bait:
- European squid, common cuttlefish, live bait; regional support: European anchovy / Atlantic horse mackerel / shrimp
- Lure:
- jig, large soft plastic
- Technique:
- trolling, jig, bottom
In this region · Aegean Sea
- Natural bait:
- European squid, common cuttlefish, live bait; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
- Lure:
- jig, large soft plastic
- Technique:
- trolling, jig, bottom
In this region · Mediterranean
- Natural bait:
- European squid, common cuttlefish, live bait; regional support: European sardine / European squid / shrimp
- Lure:
- jig, large soft plastic
- Technique:
- trolling, jig, bottom
Fishing rules for Türkiye
Türkiye
- Minimum size
- 35 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
Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.
Species profile
- Scientific name
- Dentex dentex
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Eupercaria incertae sedis
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Seas
- Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
- Other names
- Sinagrit, Sinarit, Adi sinarit
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum size for Common dentex?
In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Common dentex is 35 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.
When is Common dentex closed to fishing?
There is no closed season specific to Common dentex — 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: 35 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.
Which seas is Common dentex found in?
In our records Common dentex 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, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Adriatic — Croatia, Mediterranean — France.
In which months is Common dentex at its peak?
Peak periods by sea: North Aegean & Thrace — Greece March–November; Central & South Aegean — Greece March–November; Ionian Sea — Greece March–November; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece March–November; Sea of Marmara April–November; Aegean Sea April–November; Mediterranean March–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; Atlantic Ocean — Spain April, May, August, September; Cantabrian Sea — Spain April, May, August, September; Adriatic — Croatia May–October; Mediterranean — France May–September.
Which bait is Common dentex caught with?
Baits and lures on record: European squid, common cuttlefish, live bait, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, shrimp, jig, large soft plastic, European sardine, mamun, sülünez.
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