Also known as
- Croaker US
- Shade-fish US
- Salmon Bass US
Identification
The largest of the drum family — an Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean inshore croaker built for crushing runs around estuary structure and offshore reef.
- Silvery-grey to bronze-copper body with darker dorsal surface
- Slightly protruding lower jaw with wide gape
- Prominent lateral line extending continuously to the caudal fin
- Two dorsal fins — first with sharp spines, second long with soft rays
- Large swim bladder produces the characteristic drumming sound
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Offshore
- Estuaries
Behaviour
An Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal predator working estuary mouths, deep channel structure, offshore wrecks, and reef drop-offs in 15-300m. Adults patrol mid-water and bottom; juveniles use shallow estuary nurseries. Dawn and dusk are peak feeding windows, with active twilight hunting on baitfish schools. Produces audible drumming via a large swim bladder. Peak activity 15-20°C (59-68°F) — moves shallow to feed in warmer months.
Diet: Sardines, Anchovies, Mackerel, Mullet, Small Horse Mackerel, Squid, Cuttlefish, Octopus
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Live Lining
The premier European approach. Free-line a live mackerel, sardine, mullet, or large squid on a 5/0-8/0 circle hook with a running sinker, drifting close to estuary mouths, deep channel structure, and offshore wrecks. Mid-water to bottom presentation around tide changes at first and last light is critical.
Jigging
Highly productive over offshore wrecks, deep reef, and structure in 30-150m. Drop 80-250g metal jigs and large soft-plastic shads on assist hooks and bounce vertically with sharp lifts and controlled drops, or fish slow-pitch with long pauses. Mark fish on sonar first, then drop directly on them.
Bottom Fishing
Productive over deep estuary holes, channel edges, and offshore wrecks in 20-150m. Fishfinder rig with 5/0-8/0 circle hook holds whole fresh sardine, cut mackerel, or whole squid on bottom. Use just enough sinker to maintain bottom contact in current. Most productive in cooler months when fish hold deep.
Trolling
A useful search method along baitfish concentrations and deep reef edges in 15-60m. Pull 15-25cm deep-diving plugs and large weighted soft-plastic swimbaits at 2-4 knots near drop-offs and wreck contours. Productive when fish are spread out and moving with bait.
Spinning
A useful shallow approach during active surface feeds at dawn and dusk. Cast 14-30g soft plastic shads, metal lures, or surface poppers to feeding fish or visible bait schools along estuary mouths and shallow reef edges in 2-10m.
Surf Casting
An effective ocean-beach approach when fish move shallow to feed in spawning periods. Long-cast running paternoster or fishfinder rig with 100-180g sinker and whole fresh sardine, mackerel, or squid into deep gutters and surf rips. First and last light are key.
Spear Fishing
Inshore Spearfishing
Productive on inshore reef, rocky structure, and wrecks in 10-40m at dawn and dusk. Wary fish — demand stealthy, slow approach. Best in clear conditions. A challenging Mediterranean and Atlantic spearo target. Float-line and breakaway rig essential for large fish.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
A challenging shallow estuary fishery during dawn and dusk surface feeds. Strip large 15-20cm baitfish streamers (Lefty's deceivers, EP minnows, large Clousers) on 10-12wt fast-sinking lines along estuary mouths and shallow reef edges. Heavy 18-27kg shock tippet absorbs reef abrasion.
