Techniques and tips for marble fishing in the Mediterranean

Fishing for marble © Laurent Duclos

Fishing for marblefish in the Mediterranean is a popular activity for many shore anglers. The marblefish, also known by its scientific name Lithognathus mormyrus, is a marine fish of the sparidae family, like the sea bream or the sar. It is often found on sandy or gravelly beaches, where it feeds on worms, small crustaceans and shellfish.

Fishing techniques for marblefish

Surfcasting : this technique is commonly used for marble fishing. It involves casting the line from the beach with suitable baits such as sand worms, shrimps or shellfish.

Wedge fishing : another effective method, especially at night, when marbled birds are more active.

Fishing to support : in a boat, with hooks mounted above the sinker, this technique attracts marbled fish with slowly handled worms.

Rechercher le marbré sur le sable
Look for marbling on sand

The best times

Summer is the best time to look for marbled shrimp. This is because marblefish move closer to shore when the water warms up, especially in late spring and summer. The periods from May to October are ideal for fishing for marblefish, but you can have fun looking for them all year round.

Fishing is often best at dusk or even at night, when marblefish head for the beaches.

Pêcher le marbré la nuit
Fishing for marblefish at night

Practical tips for success

Baits to use

Sand worms are particularly effective. Other baits such as shrimp, tellin and razor clams can also be used.

Fixtures to target marbled areas

Use fine, discreet rigs to avoid frightening this wary fish. Here are a few tips for effective rigging:

  • Leader: Use a fine leader, preferably fluorocarbon, with a diameter of between 0.22 mm and 0.25 mm. More experienced anglers can go down to 0.18 mm for greater discretion.
  • Hooks: Choose small hooks adapted to the size of the bait used (sand worms, shrimp, etc.). Too large a hook may make the marbled fish wary.
  • Weight: Use a light weight to avoid spooking the fish. A sliding sinker can be useful to adjust the fishing depth according to conditions.
  • Glow-in-the-dark beads: When fishing at night, adding glow-in-the-dark pearls to the rig can attract the attention of curious marblefish.
  • Sliding mount : This type of rig is often used for surfcasting. It allows you to cast far and present the bait naturally at the bottom of the water.
  • Beep: Use a gentle beep on the line to detect the marbled fish's discreet touches. This will enable you to react quickly when he takes the bait.
Le ver de sable, un bon appât pour pêcher le marbré
The sand worm, a good bait for marble fish

Fishing spots to choose from

Sandy beaches or sandy edges are the spots to look for marbled shrimp. You should also prospect at different distances and depths, as marblefish can be found in different places depending on the time of year and weather conditions.

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