UK Sea Fish

The waters surrounding the countries of the United Kingdom are teeming with fish for recreational fishers and commercial fishers. Some of these species are:

Black Bream – These fish are caught during the summer months using small pieces of fish and ragworm as bait.

Dab – These fish live in areas where the bottom is sandy and contains shells. They can be caught close to chose using ragworm and stale lugworm as bait.

Flounder – They are widespread throughout the UK and are fished commercially by fishermen using nets. However, they can also be caught using a rod and reel with bait such asragworm, lugworm and peeler crab in spring.

Plaice – This species is widely found in the inshore waters around Britain where the bottom is sandy or where there are beds of mussels.

Sole – This nocturnal fish can be caught close to shore from many of the sandy beaches in the UK.

Bass – These fish can be found close to shore where there is lots of surf. The top baits for catching bass are lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab, small pieces of mackerel and small pout.

Tub Curnard – These are found around sandy beaches and can be caught using mackerel, peeler crab, lugworm or ragworm.

Dogfish – This bottom feeder tends to feed by scent rather than sight. When fishing this species, baits such as sandeel, mackerel, peeler crab and hermit crab work quite well.

Mackerel – Often fished by commercial fishermen for bait or for sale, these fish are usually caught in large numbers during the summer months. Rod and reel anglers use floats and spinners.

Pollack – These larger fish are generally found out to sea swimming around shipwrecks. Smaller varieties are found close to shore, where they are fished from docks and beaches using spinners and lures. If bait is used, the best ones are fish, ragworm and peeler crab.

Pout – These are widespread in the waters close to shore in all parts of the UK. Small pieces of fish and ragworm are the top baits and treble hook is commonly used.

Shore Rockling – These fish have three barbells on the head and line of vibrating fins down the length of the back. They are found in shallow waters of rocky areas. Peeler crab, ragworm and white rag are the common baits.

Scad – Also known as the horse mackerel, this species is usually fished in the summer months.

Whiting – These fish are very similar to codfish. The best fishing locations for fishing this species are shallow beaches with clean sand.