Blackbelly Rosefish
Helicolenus dactylopterus
FR Sébaste à ventre noir · ES Gallineta · PT Rascasso-de-barriga-preta · IT Scorfano atlantico
Also known as: BluemouthBluemouth RockfishCabraCantarilho-legítimoGallinetaSébaste à ventre noirScorfano atlanticoRascasso-de-barriga-preta
BenthicBoat
Deepwater
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight over marked structure
Depth
50–600m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jan–DecGood Mar–Oct
Also works from boat
Hot spot: Reefs, wrecks 20–50m · Timing: Dawn/daylight · Confidence booster: Moderate; likes flowing water
Depth range
50–600mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Kelp-lane hunter — at ledge edges and threads current seams patiently; Bucktails Tipped With Bait.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep water
Recommended baits
CrabPrawnsShellfish
Diet
CrabShrimpSmall fishCephalopodsPolychaete worms
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingJigging
Gear
Best times
DaySlack water
This deepwater scorpionfish can live for 40+ years, quietly judging everyone from 700 m down.
Field notes
Where to find them
NE Atlantic and Mediterranean deep rocky ground
Where they hang out
Deep rocky ground, well below surface
Prime time
Year-round; daylight over marked structure
Tide game
Low to moderate
What they're into
Squid and fish strips fished near deep structure
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species, prefers 6–12°C
Fave weather
Calm seas needed for deep bottom fishing
Fun fact about me
This deepwater scorpionfish can live for 40+ years, quietly judging everyone from 700 m down.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Check local size/bag rulesNational/regional fisheries authority
Looking after them
Least Concern