Fish

Gilthead seabream (dorade)

Dorada

Sparus aurata

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

1–4 lb.

Depth

3–100 ft.

Best time

Day and night; dawn and dusk are best from shore.

Found in

7 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: An oval, silver-gray bream with a gold band between the eyes (the 'gilt head'), a dark spot at the top of the gill cover, faint lengthwise lines, and thick lips with strong crushing teeth.
Typical size: 1–4 lb.
Maximum size: About 28 in and over 15 lb.
Diet: Mussels, clams, crabs, sea urchins and worms, crushed with its strong teeth.
Behavior: Cruises sandy and weedy bottoms, mussel beds and harbor walls, often in small groups. Very wary in clear water.

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, Morocco & West Africa and United Kingdom & Ireland. Shallow coasts, lagoons, estuaries and harbors through the Mediterranean and from the Bay of Biscay to Morocco and the Canaries; now also seen in southern England and Ireland.
Habitat: Shallow coasts, lagoons, estuaries and harbors through the Mediterranean and from the Bay of Biscay to Morocco and the Canaries; now also seen in southern England and Ireland.
Depth: 3–100 ft.
Fishing depth: On the bottom.
Best season: Spring to autumn; in the Mediterranean, autumn and early winter when they leave the lagoons are the classic time.
Best time: Day and night; dawn and dusk are best from shore.
Best tides: On the Atlantic coast, the flood tide over mussel beds and sandbanks.
Best weather / conditions: Calm, settled days; slightly colored water helps in the shallows.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Mussels, live crab, ragworm, cockles, clams and shrimp; some anglers use shrimp-baited feeders.
Best artificial lures: Small crab and shrimp soft lures dragged on the bottom (a technique growing in France and Spain).
Tackle setup: 10–13 ft surf or bolognese rod with a 4000 reel from shore, or a light 7 ft boat rod.
Hook size: Strong #2–1/0 short-shank hooks (their teeth crush weak hooks).
Line: 12–20 lb mono or braid.
Leader: 15–25 lb fluorocarbon.

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

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

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Shallow coasts, lagoons, estuaries and harbors through the Mediterranean and from the Bay of Biscay to Morocco and the Canaries; now also seen in southern England and Ireland.
Rig up: 10–13 ft surf or bolognese rod with a 4000 reel from shore, or a light 7 ft boat rod. 15–25 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Mussels, live crab, ragworm, cockles, clams and shrimp; some anglers use shrimp-baited feeders. Lures: Small crab and shrimp soft lures dragged on the bottom (a technique growing in France and Spain).
Fish it: Fish a bait on the bottom near mussel beds, rocks and harbor walls with a light sliding sinker, and keep the rod in your hand: the bite is a few sharp taps, then a strong pull.
Time it: Day and night; dawn and dusk are best from shore. On the Atlantic coast, the flood tide over mussel beds and sandbanks.

Fishing techniques: Fish a bait on the bottom near mussel beds, rocks and harbor walls with a light sliding sinker, and keep the rod in your hand: the bite is a few sharp taps, then a strong pull.
BigJoe's tip: Dorada often 'test' the bait before eating it. Wait for the rod to bend over properly before you strike.
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: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: One of the best-loved fish of the Mediterranean: sweet, white and firm. Bake it whole in salt crust, grill it, or bake it with potatoes and onions.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Spiny dorsal fin; hold it firmly from behind the head.
Regulations: Minimum sizes apply in most countries (20 cm in EU Mediterranean waters, higher in some regions), with daily limits in some. 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 gently.

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Sources & photo credits