common cuttlefish

Sepia officinalis · Sepiidae

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common cuttlefish
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Best months

October–May

Where

  • Sandy beaches
  • Seagrass
  • Harbours & piers

Best time

  • Dusk
  • Night
  • Daytime

Conditions

  • Calm sea

Usual size

15–35 cm

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

How to catch it

Methods

  • Spinning (lures)

Baits

  • Live fish

Lures

  • Squid jig (egi)

The angler's tip

Comes inshore over sand and weed in winter and spring: a squid jig (egi) dragged slowly along the bottom with long pauses. Legal minimum in Morocco: 400 g.

Easily confused with

Legal minimum size

CountryMinimum sizeSource
Morocco—Source
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 common cuttlefish or European common cuttlefish is one of the largest and best-known cuttlefish species. They are a migratory species that spend the summer and spring inshore for spawning and then move to depths of 100–200 metres (330–660 ft) during autumn and winter. They grow to 49 centimetres (19 in) in mantle length and 4 kilograms (8.8 lb) in weight. Animals from subtropical seas are smaller and rarely exceed 30 centimetres (12 in) in mantle length.

From Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to catch common cuttlefish?

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

What bait or lure works for common cuttlefish?

Live fish · Squid jig (egi) · Spinning (lures).

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