Turbot
Flatfish
A large, near-circular flatfish with a noticeably bumpy, scaleless upper skin studded with small bony tubercles, and mottled sandy-brown camouflage colouring.
Facts
- Unlike most flatfish, turbot lack scales entirely — the skin's rough, bony studs do the same protective job.
- One of the largest UK shore-caught flatfish, with double-figure specimens well within reach on the right ground.
- Prefers clean sand or gravel banks, often where a current sweeps food past its ambush position.
UK fishing rules
MCRS is 30cm.
Where to catch Turbot (9 marks)
| Mark | Region | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballycastle | N. Ireland | May–Sep | Sandeel or fish bait fished on the bottom |
| Borth | Wales | May–Sep | Sandeel or worm bait fished over the sandy gullies at range. |
| Criccieth | Wales | Jun–Sep | fish or squid bait fished hard on the bottom over clean patches |
| Freshwater West | Wales | May–Sep | Sandeel or fish strip on a flowing trace fished through the surf table at high water. |
| Hayling Island Seafront (South Beach/Eastoke) | South East | May-Sep | Sandeel or worm bait over clean sand |
| Newquay (Towan Beach) | South West | Apr–Sep | Worm or sandeel fished on the bottom over clean sand. |
| Praa Sands | South West | Apr–Sep | Sandeel or worm bait fished on the bottom over clean sand. |
| Sheerness Seafront (Barton's Point to Garrison Point) | South East | May-Sep | Sandeel or fish strip fished hard on the bottom over sand |
| Trevose Head | South West | Jun–Sep | Occasional from sandier ledges nearby using fish baits on a simple running rig. |