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FISH GUIDE · Sea

European hake: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Merluccius merluccius

European hake are mainly encountered offshore. Bait fishing from a suitable boat requires a controlled descent and preparations for landing before fishing; this suggestion adapts an Irish account, not a universal recipe for France.

Catalogue names : Merlu. 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 from Morocco to Scandinavia, in the Mediterranean and southern Black Sea. DORIS notes more frequent occurrence in the Atlantic than in the other two areas.

  • Documented presence : Northeast Atlantic
  • 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

An elongated body, two dorsal fins, a long anal fin and a dark mouth with pointed teeth characterise Merluccius merluccius. Do not rely on the market name “colin”; keep fingers out of the mouth.

Habitat

North-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, mainly near deep soft bottoms. An occasional coastal encounter does not guarantee fishing accessible from the beach.

Diet

Mainly fish and squid in adults; crustaceans in young fish.

Behaviour

Hake move farther from the bottom at night. This proves neither their presence at your spot nor the value of a night trip; begin with local guidance and manageable conditions.

Indicative biological size

Around 45 cm common total length according to FishBase; not a legal size limit.

Fishing context and precautions

  1. With an experienced person responsible for navigation, choose a permitted area and a drift suited to the boat. Prepare landing arrangements and a terminal-weight rig with one hook snood.
  2. Secure a portion of legally obtained mackerel on a suitable single hook, leaving the point free. This simplification of the Irish account requires local adjustment.
  3. Lower under control and briefly contact the bottom, then keep the bait near the chosen layer. If you lose track of the rig, retrieve rather than paying out more line.
  4. At an established pull, make contact and retrieve steadily using the drag. Use the planned landing equipment; do not lift the fish by the line.

A distinctive feature

The eggs are pelagic: they drift in the water before hatching.

Sources and review

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

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