Sardine
Sardina pilchardus
FR Sardine · ES Sardina · PT Sardinha · IT Sardina · DE Sardine
Also known as: PilchardSardinaSardinaSardinha
PelagicShoreBoat
Baitfish
Score
—
Prime time
𐄳 (Bait fish) Night under lights; dawn when bait shoals push in.
Depth
0–100m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Oct–Dec
Depth range
0–100mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Trolling60%
Sabiki under lights60%
Findr bio
Night under lights; dawn when shoals push in. More into fine nets than big rods...
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterOpen sea
Recommended baits
Feather rigs
Diet
CopepodsZooplanktonPhytoplanktonFish eggs
Effective techniques
Sabiki / Bait Catching
Gear
Best times
DawnNight
Portugal packed me by the billion — tinned nostalgia of the 20th century.
Field notes
Where to find them
Atlantic, Mediterranean
Where they hang out
Surface–midwater 0–40 m near ports/bays. (shore accessible range)
Prime time
𐄳 (Bait fish) Night under lights; dawn when bait shoals push in.
Tide game
Low; moving water helps schooling behaviour.
What they're into
Tiny sabiki
Temperature vibe
Warmer‑water coastal; moves offshore in cold.
Fave weather
Settled weather aggregates shoals; storms disperse.
Fun fact about me
Portugal packed me by the billion — tinned nostalgia of the 20th century.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Commercial controls common; recreational limits vary—check locally. Primarily a bait species; check local rules on gathering/using live/fresh bait.Spain/Portugal DGRM/MAPA; France OFB.
Looking after them
Least Concern