Fish

Whiting

Merlán (plegonero)

Merlangius merlangus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

10–16 in, under 1 lb.

Depth

10–200 ft.

Best time

Night.

Found in

8 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A slim, silver cod-family fish with three dorsal fins, two anal fins, a tiny (or no) chin barbel, a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin, and sharp teeth.
Typical size: 10–16 in, under 1 lb.
Maximum size: About 2 ft and up to about 6 lb.
Diet: Sand eels, sprats, small fish, shrimp and crabs.
Behavior: Big schools move inshore to beaches and piers in autumn and winter; they feed best after dark.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Northern & Central Europe, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Black Sea & Caspian, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean and Greece & the Adriatic. Sandy and muddy bottoms from Norway and Iceland to Portugal, and in the Black Sea; the classic winter catch from British beaches and piers.
Habitat: Sandy and muddy bottoms from Norway and Iceland to Portugal, and in the Black Sea; the classic winter catch from British beaches and piers.
Depth: 10–200 ft.
Fishing depth: On or near the bottom.
Best season: October to February from UK beaches.
Best time: Night.
Best tides: The flood tide on beaches.
Best weather / conditions: Calm, cold nights; some surf after a blow is fine.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Fish strips, squid, lugworm and ragworm.
Best artificial lures: Small feathers and baited sabikis from boats.
Tackle setup: 12–14 ft beach rod with a 5000–6000 reel, or a light boat rod.
Hook size: Size 1–2/0 long-shank hooks.
Line: 15 lb mono with a 60 lb shock leader for beach casting.
Leader: 25–30 lb two- or three-hook flapper rig.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Sinker Light

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Sandy and muddy bottoms from Norway and Iceland to Portugal, and in the Black Sea; the classic winter catch from British beaches and piers.
Rig up: 12–14 ft beach rod with a 5000–6000 reel, or a light boat rod. 25–30 lb two- or three-hook flapper rig.
Pick your bait: Fish strips, squid, lugworm and ragworm. Lures: Small feathers and baited sabikis from boats.
Fish it: Cast a two-hook flapper rig baited with fish strip or worm into the surf after dark and watch the rod tip for rattles.
Time it: Night. The flood tide on beaches.

Fishing techniques: Cast a two-hook flapper rig baited with fish strip or worm into the surf after dark and watch the rod tip for rattles.
BigJoe's tip: A light on your rod tip and a pair of hooks close together catch more on dark winter nights.
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: Delicate, mild white meat; best eaten very fresh, fried or baked.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Small sharp teeth; cold winter beaches need warm clothes and a headlamp.
Regulations: Minimum sizes apply in some areas (often 27 cm in UK inshore waters). Every country sets its own rules: sea fishing licenses or registration in some countries, a national or regional license plus a local permit for fresh water, and minimum sizes everywhere. Check before you fish.
Conservation: Release the small ones quickly.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits