Scientific name
Sarpa salpa (Linné, 1758)
Morphology
The saupe is a round posson with an elongated body. This brilliant fish has 10 to 12 yellow lines running the length of its body. A small black spot appears at the base of its pectoral fins.
Saupe fishing grounds
The saupe lives on the coast above areas of seaweed (posidonia) and rocks, often along beaches and at the foot of jetties. It is found in the Mediterranean and in the South Atlantic on the Basque coast.
Fishing techniques
Saupe is best fished with a small float positioned on a fine nylon. The ideal bait is bread. The float is swung under the rod and gently placed on the surface of the water. In this way, the bread crumb sinks slowly and the float stabilizes in a vertical position. At the slightest cast, strike with a flick of the wrist.
Reproduction
The saupe reaches its adult size of 21 cm at around 3 years of age. They reproduce in spring and autumn.
Size and weight
- Legal minimum catch size: none
- Size at sexual maturity: 21 cm
- Average size: 25 to 30 cm
- Maximum size: 50 cm (1.5 kg)
Good to know
The saupes often hang around bathers in schools of a dozen or so.
