Spawning now
Releasing spawning fish protects next season's stock. Always check local closed seasons and size limits before keeping a fish.
- Atlantic codJanuary–April, October–December
- Atlantic halibutMay–November
- BogueJanuary–December
- European hakeJanuary–May, October–December
- European plaiceMarch–October
- European sardineApril–November
- European SeabassMarch–May, September–November
- Irish pollanJune–November
- SaitheMay–October
- Shorthorn sculpin (bull-rout)April–November
All species in season in January
- Atlantic cod3–14 °CGadus morhuaBottom rig: 100-200 g lead, two-hook paternoster, lugworm, mussel or squid strip.
- 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 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…
- 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.
Season and water temperature figures show the general trend; they shift by region and year. Check current size limits, bag limits and closed seasons in your local regulations before fishing.