Fish

Two-banded seabream

Mojarra (sargo mojarra)

Diplodus vulgaris

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

½–1 lb.

Depth

3–300 ft.

Best time

Day and night.

Found in

7 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A silver-gold bream with two wide black bands: one behind the head (over the nape and gill cover) and one on the tail stalk.
Typical size: ½–1 lb.
Maximum size: About 18 in and up to about 3 lb.
Diet: Worms, small crabs, shrimp and mussels.
Behavior: Common around rocks, breakwaters and seagrass, often mixed with white seabream.

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 and Morocco & West Africa. Rocky coasts and seagrass from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, the Canaries, Madeira, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Habitat: Rocky coasts and seagrass from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, the Canaries, Madeira, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Depth: 3–300 ft.
Fishing depth: On or near the bottom by rocks.
Best season: All year.
Best time: Day and night.
Best tides: Rising tide in the Atlantic.
Best weather / conditions: A little swell and foam help.

What to tie on and what to throw.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Weight Hooks Bait

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky coasts and seagrass from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, the Canaries, Madeira, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Rig up: Light rock or float rod. 8–10 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Sea worms, mussels, shrimp and crab. Lures: Small soft lures.
Fish it: Fish small baits close to rocks and breakwaters, on the bottom or under a float.
Time it: Day and night. Rising tide in the Atlantic.

Fishing techniques: Fish small baits close to rocks and breakwaters, on the bottom or under a float.
BigJoe's tip: Use small hooks; they nibble baits off fast.
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: Tasty white meat, fried or grilled whole.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Spiny dorsal fin.
Regulations: Minimum size 18 cm in EU Mediterranean waters; 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: Release the small ones.

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Sources & photo credits