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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Atlantic bonito: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Sarda sarda

Atlantic bonito can be sought by casting at identified surface activity. This suggestion adapts Nicolas Borreau's account; it remains indicative and requires a permitted position and prepared landing arrangements.

Catalogue names : Bonite, Pélamide. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: eastern Atlantic, from Norway to South Africa ; northwestern Atlantic Ocean ; southwestern Atlantic as far as northern Argentina ; Mediterranean Sea ; Black Sea.

  • Documented presence : eastern Atlantic, from Norway to South Africa
  • Documented presence : northwestern Atlantic Ocean
  • Documented presence : southwestern Atlantic as far as northern Argentina
  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : Black Sea

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

Sarda sarda has dark oblique stripes on its back, closely spaced dorsal fins and finlets. Skipjack stripes are on the belly; little tunny has mottling and spots near the pectoral fins. Check several features before identifying a catch.

Habitat

Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea; open water, including coastal waters. Small fish being present does not by itself confirm the presence of Sarda sarda.

Diet

Mainly small pelagic fish; also crustaceans and cephalopods.

Behaviour

A daytime, schooling predator, it moves in shoals. A feeding event can be brief: watch its direction before casting and keep your distance from other users.

Indicative biological size

About 50 cm on average according to DORIS; this reference is not a legal size limit.

Fishing context and precautions

  1. From a permitted position or a boat operated by a competent person, watch feeding activity without cutting across the shoal's route. Prepare a landing net and check the drag.
  2. Choose a small metal lure compatible with the rod and the visible prey. Check knots and hooks.
  3. Cast to the edge of the activity and retrieve quickly; adjust speed if fish follow. This suggestion simplifies casting at feeding fish as described by Nicolas Borreau.
  4. On a clear pull, make contact, maintain tension and let the drag work. Guide the fish into the planned landing equipment; do not lift it by the line.

A distinctive feature

Its eggs and larvae are pelagic: they drift in the water column.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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