Coddy

Distinguishing features: The stingray has the typical rhomboid body shape of a ray but lacks any dorsal fins. Instead it has one or more serrated spines at the base of the thick section of the tail which them tapers quickly into a long, whip like shape. The colour on the upper side is usually a plain brown, grey or olive but some lighter blotches may be present. The underside is cream fading to grey at the outer edges of the wings. Size: The sting ray can reach weights in excess of 120 kg. Distribution: This ray is found in depths ranging from the shoreline to approximately 75 metres where the seabed comprises mud or sand. It does venture into estuarine waters on occasion. It can be found from the waters of the North Sea, through the Mediterranean Sea to the southern tip of Africa. The largest specimens are found toward the south of this range. Food: Feeds almost exclusively on crustaceans and molluscs. Baits: Stingray will take fish baits but crab and king ragworm can be more effective when targeting this species.

Distinguishing features: The megrim is a thin bodied, left eyed flatfish with a large extendable mouth and large eyes. The last two rays of the dorsal and anal fins finish on the underside of the fish. The upper side is a sandy brown colour with darker patches and the underside is white. Size: The megrim can attain a length of around 60 cm. Habitat: Can be found over muddy and sandy bottoms in depths from 20 to 300 metres. Its range is from the waters around Iceland and Norway down to the Mediterranean. Food: The diet of the megrim consists mainly of small fish such as sandeels, gobies and small whiting. It will also feed on squid and crustaceans. Bait: Mackerel strip is the best bait for targeting megrim.

Distinguishing features: The lemon sole has an oval shaped body that is sandy brown in colour with darker brown blotches and yellow and green spots on the back, the underside is white. It has a small head and mouth with prominent lips. The lateral line curves slightly above the pectoral fin. Size: The lemon sole reaches lengths over 60 cm and weights of around one kilo. Distribution: This flatfish is found throughout European and Scandinavian waters and is most common in the colder northern waters. Although smaller specimens can be found near the shore the larger fish tend to frequent sand, gravel and rocky mixed bottoms in depths between 40 and 200 metres. Food: The lemon sole feeds mainly on worms but also includes small crustaceans and molluscs in its diet. Baits: Worm and fish baits are the most effective way of attracting this species.

Distinguishing features: The Dab belongs to the family of flatfish called Pleuronectidae which are all right-eyed flatfish, the eye migrates over the head when young and finishes on the right hand side of the head (when viewed from the front). In comparison to its moderate sized head the Dab has a small mouth. The colouration can vary from a sandy brown with yellow spots to a gray-brown with darker speckles. The underside is white and slightly translucent. The lateral line has a D-shaped curve above the pectoral fin and the skin is rough to touch on the upper side. Size: In suitable waters the bad can grow to over 40 cm in length and attain a weight of 1.5kg but the more normal size that the angler will encounter is around 25 cm. Distribution: The bad is probably the most abundant flatfish in the waters of northern Europe especially in the North Sea and the waters around Iceland. It tends to favour sandy grounds with depths of around 20-40 metres but the smaller specimens will be found shallower than this. Adults tend to move inshore in the early summer after spawning and although not a shoal fish where the angler finds one Dab there are usually more about. Food: The Dab is voracious feeder and will eat almost any small bottom living invertebrate that it comes across. Small crustaceans, worms, sandeels and molluscs form the bulk of its diet. Baits: When in a feeding mood Dabs will take most baits but fish baits in general and mackerel strip in particular from the boat. When shore fishing lugworm, particularly stale, sticky worms, will produce most fish. Other worms such as rag and white rag can also be productive and mussel is always worth trying particularly in the north of Scotland. Squid and razor fish will also attract the hungry Dab. Whichever bait chosen it should be of a size to match the small mouth of this species.

Distinguishing features: The sole is an oval shaped flatfish with a small head and a small offset mouth. The dorsal and anal fins are joined to the tail by a thin membrane. The upper side of the sole varies in colour from dark brown to sandy brown with blotches and the underside being a creamy white. There is a dark spot on the pectoral fin. Size: The sole can grow to 60 cm and a weight of around three kilos although the majority of fish encountered will not exceed 30 cm. Distribution: The sole will be found where the seabed is sandy or muddy in depths of 10 to 100 metres. It is found mainly in the southern North Sea and down the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean. The sole tends to feed best after dark inshore. Food: Although sole will occasionally feed on molluscs its main diet consists of worms and crustaceans. Baits: Smallish neat ragworm, black lug or blow lug baits are the most effective bait for sole.

Distinguishing features: The plaice is a typical round bodied, right eyed flatfish. The upper side is a sandy brown with prominent red or orange spots. The underside is a pearlescent white. There is a line of boney knobs between the upper edge of the gill cover and the eyes. Size: Plaice can grow to a weight in excess of 7 kg but it’s more likely that the angler will take fish around the kilo mark from the boat and half that from the shore. Distribution: Plaice like sandy sea beds but will also inhabit muddy and gravel areas. While it will be found in depth down to 200 metres it’s most common from 10 to 50 metres. Food: Plaice feed on a wide range of bottom living organisms including crustaceans, worms, sandeel and molluscs. They have a habit if nipping the spouts off shellfish such as razorfish. Baits: Worms, rag, lug and white rag, are generally the first choice for the angler targeting plaice. A particular favourite is ragworm with a long thin strip of squid on the bend of the hook, a parcel of peeler crab is sometimes used at the head of the cocktail. In certain areas mackerel strip can be effective.

Distinguishing features: The turbot is a wide bodied flatfish with the eyes on the left side of its head. The body is without scales but there are boney tubercles on it although these are sometimes only on the underside. Only the tips of the dorsal fin are outwith the membrane. Colouration varies according to the habitat but it’s generally a sandy brown with darker spots which extend onto the tail fin. The dorsal fin has 57-71 rays and the anal one 43-52. Size: Turbot are the largest of the flat fish other than Halibut and can reach lengths of one metre and a weight of 25 kg. Distribution: The turbot can be found in the eastern North Atlantic, North Sea, and Baltic Sea and down to the Mediterranean. It inhabits water from the shoreline to depths of around 55 metres where the seabed is composed of sand, gravel, crushed shells or a mixture of these. Larger specimens are found on offshore banks. They are also found in the scour adjacent to wrecks. Food: Turbot feed almost exclusively on fish, particularly sandeels, herring, whiting and sprats. Bait: Long thin fillets of mackerel or launce are a favourite bait as are live or dead large sandeels.

Distinguishing features: The brill is a close relative of the turbot which it resembles however its body is scaled and lacks the boney protuberances. The first rays of the dorsal fin are free from membranes in their upper half. The dorsal fin has 73-83 rays and the anal 56- 62. The underside is a creamy white and the upper side a sandy brown with spots which do not extend on to the tail fin. The fins tend to be lighter than the body. The body of the brill is more oval than the turbot. Size: The maximum weight is around 7 kg and length is 75 cm. Distribution: The turbot can be found in the eastern North Atlantic, North Sea, and Baltic Sea and down to the Mediterranean. It inhabits water from the shoreline to depths of around 70 metres where the seabed is composed mainly of sand and occasionally gravel, mud or a mixture of these. Larger specimens are found on offshore sandbanks. Food: The brill feeds extensively on fish, particularly sandeels together with crustaceans and squid. Bait: Long thin fillets of mackerel or launce are a favourite bait as are live or dead large sandeels.

Distinguishing features: The Flounder is a flatfish and normally a dull brown or greenish-brown on its upper side and occasionally faint red spots can be found. The underside is opaque and a dull white although brownish discolouration is not unusual. There are small sharp knobs along the edges of the fins and along the straight lateral line. Although the Flounder is a right-eyed flatfish it can be found with the eyes on the left side. It can hybridise with the plaice. Size: The Flounder can attain a size of 50 cm and a weight of around 3 kg. The shore angler is more likely to find fish around the half kilo mark and any fish of over 1 kg is a good specimen. Distribution: The Flounder can survive in water which is only slightly saline and will happily frequent estuaries. Although it will inhabit depths of up to 50 metres the majority will be found in depths of less than 15 metres and will often be found at the angler’s feet. It tends to prefer areas where the sea bed is composed of sand or mud. It breeds in deeper water in the spring time. Food: The Flounder will feed on a wide range of bottom living animals including molluscs, worms and crustaceans such as sand hoppers and shrimps. Baits: Flounders, although avid feeders can be very fussy when it comes to baits. On one venue peeler crab, in season, may be the only bait touched whereas on another beach a bunch of maddies may be the killer. Worms, either lug or rag, are generally a good bet for Flounders and can be particularly effective when cocktailed with fish strip. A strip of herring or mackerel on its own can also produce good numbers of fish at some venues.

These are not big fish, rarely exceeding 40cm in length; a fish of 1.5lb (0.6kg) is a very good specimen. The grey gurnard can live for more than 15 years, but they reach maturity at two years (for males) or three years (for females). Grey gurnard spawn from late spring through the summer months. The grey gurnard is usually found on muddy or sandy areas, though some of our larger specimens come off the rock and mussel bed grounds. Depths very, though grey gurnards can be found from depths of 20 to 100m. Surviving on a variety of marine life, the grey gurnard is often taken by anglers on small scratch rigs baited with mackerel strips. 2 up 1 down, or 3 up scratch rigs with size 2 to 4 hooks work well, with yellow or red attractor beads. You are most likely to catch grey gurnard when fishing over a sandy bottom. Worm baits are ideal, but small strips of fish and crab baits will also bring results. These are bottom feeders, but a spinner or flounder spoon worked slowly along the bottom will also tempt them.