Fish

White seabream

Sargo común

Diplodus sargus

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

½–2 lb.

Depth

1–60 ft.

Best time

Dusk and night, and in daytime when the sea is rough and foamy.

Found in

8 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A silver, oval bream with 8–9 thin dark vertical bars (alternating dark and faint), a big black saddle-spot on the tail stalk, black-edged tail, and front teeth like a sheep's.
Typical size: ½–2 lb.
Maximum size: About 18 in and over 4 lb.
Diet: Mussels, barnacles, crabs, sea urchins and worms.
Behavior: Patrols rocky shallows, breakwaters and surf-washed rocks, often in rough white water; very cautious and quick to steal bait.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), France, Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea & Caspian, Morocco & West Africa and United Kingdom & Ireland. Rocky coasts, breakwaters and harbors from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, the Canaries, Azores and Madeira, and through the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Habitat: Rocky coasts, breakwaters and harbors from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, the Canaries, Azores and Madeira, and through the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Depth: 1–60 ft.
Fishing depth: On the bottom or mid-water close to rocks.
Best season: All year; autumn and winter in rough seas are classic in Spain and Portugal.
Best time: Dusk and night, and in daytime when the sea is rough and foamy.
Best tides: Rising tide over the rocks.
Best weather / conditions: Rough water and foam after a swell — sargo come into the 'white water' to feed.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Mussels, crab, sea worms (such as 'tita' and 'coreano'), shrimp and bread paste.
Best artificial lures: Small soft crab and worm imitations.
Tackle setup: 12–14 ft surfcasting rod or a bolognese float rod with a 4000–5000 reel.
Hook size: Strong #4–1 hooks.
Line: 15–20 lb mono.
Leader: 12–15 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Float Hooks Rod holder

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky coasts, breakwaters and harbors from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, the Canaries, Azores and Madeira, and through the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Rig up: 12–14 ft surfcasting rod or a bolognese float rod with a 4000–5000 reel. 12–15 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Mussels, crab, sea worms (such as 'tita' and 'coreano'), shrimp and bread paste. Lures: Small soft crab and worm imitations.
Fish it: Fish a float or a light sinker with mussel or worm right into the foam beside the rocks, and chum with crushed mussels or bread.
Time it: Dusk and night, and in daytime when the sea is rough and foamy. Rising tide over the rocks.

Fishing techniques: Fish a float or a light sinker with mussel or worm right into the foam beside the rocks, and chum with crushed mussels or bread.
BigJoe's tip: Sargo are bait thieves. Use small hooks with the point just showing and hold your rod so you feel every touch.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm, tasty white meat; grilled or baked whole, it is a Mediterranean favorite.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Spiny dorsal fin; and rough seas on rocks are dangerous — never turn your back on the waves.
Regulations: Minimum size in EU Mediterranean waters is 23 cm, with daily limits in some countries. Check local rules. Sea fishing rules change by country: the UK, Ireland and France need no sea license, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Greece sell or require recreational sea licenses or permits, and Italy asks for a free online registration. All have minimum sizes, and marine reserves have no-fishing zones.
Conservation: Keep fish above the minimum size and release the small ones.

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Sources & photo credits