Spotted Bass
Dicentrarchus punctatus
FR Bar ponctué · ES Lubina pintada · PT Robalo-baila · IT Spigola maculata · DE Gefleckter Wolfsbarsch
Also known as: Robalo-pintadoLubina pintadaBar ponctuéGefleckter WolfsbarschSpigola maculataRobalo-baila
Surf/EstuaryShoreBoat
Gamefish
Score
—
Prime time
Dawn/dusk; warm months and at night over quiet beaches.
Depth
0–100m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jun–AugGood May–Sep
Depth range
0–100mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Spinning80%
Bottom fishing / ledgering70%
Preferred seabed
Rock
Findr bio
Dawn/dusk in warm months; quiet beaches at night. If you've got crab, I'm yours...
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
EstuaryRocky shoreSandy beachShallow waterWreck reef
Recommended baits
CrabWormsFish baitsPrawnsShellfishFly
Diet
ShrimpBivalvesSmall fishSquidCrab
Effective techniques
SurfcastingSpinning
Gear
Best times
DawnDuskNight
Sea bass's smaller southern cousin — I haunt brackish estuaries and wear dark spots to prove it.
Field notes
Where to find them
Mediterranean, Atlantic Iberia
Where they hang out
Small surf beaches, estuary mouths and rocky points 1–10 m.
Prime time
Dawn/dusk; warm months and at night over quiet beaches.
Tide game
Moderate–strong; loves a push of tide around bars and holes.
What they're into
Crabs, prawns, mussels, sandeel and small fish
Temperature vibe
More active from ~15 °C upwards; sluggish in cold snaps.
Fave weather
Light onshore chop is friendly; heavy surf knocks them off the feed.
Fun fact about me
Masters the tides like clockwork — ask a harbour cat, they’ll vouch for me.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Often shares protections with European sea bass—check local rules.Spain MAPA/CCAA; Portugal DGRM; France OFB.
Looking after them
Least Concern