European plaice

Getting started

Your first try for European plaice

One recommended starting point: bait on the bottom from a boat or from shore. More methods are listed under “How to fish”.

1. 1. Place and time

   • Fish over sandy bottom, preferably mixed with gravel or mud.3,4,5Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triks4ExperienceVillmarksbutikkenFlyndrefiske fra land og båt – utstyr og tips5OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvannAll sources on this page
   • Best in Jan–Dec.

2. 2. Tackle

   Hook

   Small hooks, because plaice and other flatfish have small mouths. NJFF recommends size 6.3,5Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triks5OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvannAll sources on this page

   Rod and line from a boat

   A light sea rod of 7–8 feet with a soft tip, around 20 lb (200 g lure weight), and a small reel with 0.20 mm braided line. Mark the tip with tape so you can see small bites.3Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triksAll sources on this page

   Rod from shore

   Light tackle, but with some length on the rod for long casts. A surfcasting rod of 12–13 feet gives extra-long casts with heavier weights.3Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triksAll sources on this page

   Beads and spinner blades

   Beads and small spinner blades on the rig give movement and sound. The blade only works when the bait is moved.3,4Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triks4ExperienceVillmarksbutikkenFlyndrefiske fra land og båt – utstyr og tipsAll sources on this page

3. 3. Rig up: bait rig with a sinker at the bottom

   1. 1Main line. Line from the reel.6Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions6Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
   2. 2Droppers with bait. Short side leaders with hook and bait above the sinker.6Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions6Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
   3. 3Sinker. At the bottom, keeps the bait down near the seabed.6Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions6Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page

   How to assemble it

   • →The sinker hangs at the bottom and the hooks with bait on short droppers just above, so the bait lies on or just above the bottom.6Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions6Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page
   • →Attach the sinker with a slightly thinner line. If it gets stuck, only the sinker breaks off, and you save the rest of the rig.6Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions6Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page

4. 4. How to do it

   • →Fish with small hooks and bait on or just above the bottom, with light tackle and a lead weight.3,4,5Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triks4ExperienceVillmarksbutikkenFlyndrefiske fra land og båt – utstyr og tips5OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvannAll sources on this page
   • →Move the bait gently over the bottom now and then, and hold the rod in your hand to feel the small bites.3,4,5Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triks4ExperienceVillmarksbutikkenFlyndrefiske fra land og båt – utstyr og tips5OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvannAll sources on this page
   • →From a boat it works well to fish on a slow drift, so that the bait covers a larger area.3,4,5Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadFiske etter flyndrer, tips og triks4ExperienceVillmarksbutikkenFlyndrefiske fra land og båt – utstyr og tips5OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvannAll sources on this page

Where

Where to find European plaice

Technique and tackle

How to fish for European plaice

When

Season and time of day

• →Plaice spawn in deep water in winter and early spring. The Institute of Marine Research gives January–February, Store norske leksikon February to April or May.1,2Sources×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonrødspette2ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetRødspetteAll sources on this page

Rules

Minimum sizes and closed seasons

About the fish

Identification and life history

Identification

• →Brown, smooth eyed side with many red spots.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonrødspetteAll sources on this page
• →From the eye and backwards on the gill cover it has 4–7 bony knobs in a row.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonrødspetteAll sources on this page
• →Right-eyed, with a white blind side.2Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetRødspetteAll sources on this page

Size

• →Usually grows to 40–50 cm. Plaice have been reported up to 100 cm and 7 kg, but this is probably very rare.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonrødspetteAll sources on this page

Diet

• →Bristle worms, shellfish, jellyfish, crustaceans, echinoderms and small fish.2Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetRødspetteAll sources on this page

Experiences

Tips from people who have fished for European plaice

Sources

What this page is based on

The numbers in the text refer to the sources below. Fishing tips must be confirmed by at least three independent sources. Read about our source requirements.