Spotted seabass

Dicentrarchus punctatus · Moronidae

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Spotted seabass
Photo: Anatolij Michailov · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Best months

October–April

Where

  • Estuaries
  • Sandy beaches
  • Harbours & piers

Best time

  • Dawn
  • Dusk
  • Night

Conditions

  • Rising tide
  • Some swell, white water

Usual size

25–50 cm

General guidance for the Mediterranean and the nearby Atlantic; local seasons can differ.

How to catch it

Methods

  • Spinning (lures)
  • Surfcasting
  • Float

Baits

  • Sea worms
  • Shrimp
  • Live fish

Lures

  • Minnows / plugs
  • Soft plastics

The angler's tip

The spotted cousin of the bass, common in estuaries and on surf beaches: small minnows or soft lures at first light on the rising tide.

Easily confused with

Legal minimum size

CountryMinimum sizeSource
Morocco≥ 20 cmSource
Checked 2026-10-25

Rules change. Check the official source before you keep a fish; this table is not legal advice.

About this fish

The spotted seabass is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Moronidae, the temperate basses. This species is found in the marine and brackish waters of the coastal eastern Atlantic Ocean from the English Channel to the Canary Islands and Senegal, as well as through the Mediterranean Sea.

From Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to catch Spotted seabass?

The best months are October–April. Best time of the day: Dawn, Dusk, Night.

What bait or lure works for Spotted seabass?

Sea worms, Shrimp, Live fish · Minnows / plugs, Soft plastics · Spinning (lures), Surfcasting, Float.

What is the legal minimum size of Spotted seabass?

Morocco: 20 cm.

Related species

These are estimates, not guarantees. Always look at the sea yourself before going out, do not go alone and wear a life jacket.