European anchovy
Engraulis encrasicolus
Also known as: AnchovyAnchoaAnchoisAcciuga
PelagicShoreBoat
Baitfish
Score
—
Prime time
Warm months; night under harbour lights
Depth
0–100m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Oct–DecGood Jan–Mar
Depth range
0–100mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Trolling60%
Sabiki under lights60%
Findr bio
Tight, nervous schools near the surface, safety in numbers. I'm forage food for everything bigger, so small hooks and small tackle are all it takes.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Open seaEstuaryShallow water
Recommended baits
SquidPrawnsFish baits
Diet
CopepodsZooplanktonFish eggsPhytoplankton
Effective techniques
Sabiki / Bait Catching
Gear
Best times
DuskNight
Millions of me power the Mediterranean food web — and a jar of boquerones — before most predators even get a bite.
Field notes
Where to find them
Mediterranean and NE Atlantic harbours, bays
Where they hang out
Surface, close to shore
Prime time
Warm months; night under harbour lights
Tide game
Low to moderate
What they're into
Sabiki/small multi-hook rigs; filter-feeds plankton
Temperature vibe
Prefers warmer inshore water
Fave weather
Calm conditions aid locating schools
Fun fact about me
Small, oily, and everywhere — half the Mediterranean food web runs on me.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Some quota-managed fisheries — check locallyNational/EU fisheries agency
Looking after them
Least Concern