What Fish to Catch in December

Last chance — season ends this month

• BluefishSeptember–December
• European congerApril–December
• Striped seabreamMarch–December

Spawning now

Releasing spawning fish protects next season's stock. Always check local closed seasons and size limits before keeping a fish.

• Arctic charFebruary–September
• Atlantic halibutMay–November
• European sardineApril–November
• European whitefishApril–October
• Irish pollanJune–November
• Lake troutMarch–September
• Marble troutApril–September
• Sea troutJanuary–May, September–December
• Shorthorn sculpin (bull-rout)April–November

All species in season in December

• Atlantic cod3–14 °CGadus morhuaBottom rig: 100-200 g lead, two-hook paternoster, lugworm, mussel or squid strip.
• Bluefish14–24 °CPomatomus saltatrixBaits: Metal lures (spoons, diamond jigs), Topwater poppers and pencils, Swimming plugs (minnows), Cut bait (bunker, mackerel)
• Bogue14–26 °CBoops boopsA 2-4 hook sabiki or a fine float rig.
• Common dab3–16 °CLimanda limandaIt has a small mouth: use size 6-4 hooks and small bait; a whole big lugworm is wasted.
• Danube salmon3–14 °CHucho hucho15-25 cm large spoons, jerkbaits or soft lures.
• European conger12–22 °CConger congerHeavy bottom rig: 100-150 g lead, 0.60-0.80 mm mono trace, 2/0-5/0 hooks.
• European hake8–18 °CMerluccius merlucciusLives over the muddy 80-200 m bottom of the broad shelf between Tripoli and Misratah and is the main commercial species of the Libyan trawl fishery.
• European ling4–12 °CMolva molvaA whole mackerel or a big squid on a 6/0–8/0 hook with 50–80 cm of heavy fluorocarbon or a short wire.
• Golden redfish2–8 °CSebastes norvegicusA 300-500 g pilk with two or three feathered hooks above it, worked in short lifts 1-3 m off the bottom.
• Greasy grouper22–31 °CEpinephelus tauvinaThe classic inshore grouper of Red Sea reefs, known in Egypt as 'hamour'.
• Great barracuda23–31 °CSphyraena barracudaThe large Red Sea barracuda, a different species from the small Mediterranean Sphyraena sphyraena, and in Egypt it is found only along the Red Sea and Sinai coast.
• Lesser-spotted dogfish7–18 °CScyliorhinus caniculaMackerel strip, squid or worm — any scented bait works, on a 1/0–3/0 hook.
• Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel22–30 °CScomberomorus commersonThe most heavily fished pelagic of the Red Sea, known in Egypt as 'derak', with its main season in the cool months from November to April.
• Nile perch22–32 °CLates niloticusThe trophy fish of Lake Nasser, a freshwater predator that can exceed 100 kg.
• Pollack8–16 °CPollachius pollachius12–20 cm shads on 20–40 g jigheads: drop to the bottom and lift slowly.
• Pouting6–18 °CTrisopterus luscusPouting is the most reliable fish on Belgian moles and piers, concentrating around rock armour, pilings and wreckage in autumn and winter.
• Roving coral grouper23–31 °CPlectropomus pessuliferusCalled 'najil' in the Red Sea and rated by Egyptian fishermen as the most valuable coral grouper; it lives in the 15-50 m band of the Safaga and Marsa Alam reefs.
• Sea trout2–14 °CSalmo trutta truttaSpoons of 12-24 g and sandeel imitations; small and slow in winter, livelier in spring.
• Spangled emperor22–31 °CLethrinus nebulosusThe most widespread table-quality bottom fish of the Red Sea sand-to-reef transitions and the number one target of the day boats at Hurghada, Safaga and Marsa Alam (local name…
• Striped seabream15–28 °CLithognathus mormyrusThe white sand belt at Marsa Matruh is ideal for this species: it patrols the 1-3 m gutters just beyond the wave line, digging for sand worms.
• Two-spot red snapper23–31 °CLutjanus boharA big lutjanid known as 'bohar' in the Red Sea; it roams the 20-60 m band of the reef walls off Hurghada, Safaga and Sharm in loose groups.
• Vendace4–16 °CCoregonus albulaFor anglers, a small feather rig or 1-3 g micro jigs on very fine tippet.
• White seabream14–26 °CDiplodus sargusMussel meat, marine worm, shrimp or crab pieces on a strong size 8-12 hook.