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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Garfish: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Belone belone

Garfish draw attention with their long beak and slim outline near the surface. For a first attempt, bait suspended below a float lets you observe the drift and contacts. Keep the approach simple: visible hunting does not mean a violent strike or more hooks will improve the presentation.

Catalogue names : Orphie, Aiguillette. 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, among other areas, in the Northeast Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Norwegian coasts, and in the North Sea. Older assignments of Mediterranean and Black Sea subspecies require taxonomic caution and are not all detailed here.

  • Documented presence : Northeast Atlantic
  • Documented presence : North 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

Belone belone has an elongated silver body, a blue-green back and two jaws extended into a toothed beak. The dorsal and anal fins are set far back. The beak’s shape varies in young fish; a streamlined outline at the surface alone is therefore not a certain identification.

Habitat

It inhabits surface waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean and may approach the coast. To search from shore, prefer a permitted margin giving access to clear water. Headlands and structures are only possible types of spot; check access and the safety of the return route.

Diet

Small fish such as sand eels, anchovies and sprats; it also takes crustaceans, marine worms and plankton.

Behaviour

It eats small fish, among other prey. Following fish and surface movements may guide an attempt without establishing the species of every hunter. Observe how the bait drifts in this layer; presenting it too deep loses the connection between what you see and where the line is actually fishing.

Indicative biological size

Around 45 cm common standard length according to FishBase, excluding the tail fin; not a legal size limit.

Fishing context and precautions

  1. Rig a visible float, shotting suited to its buoyancy and a hooklength carrying a single hook.
  2. Attach a thin strip of legally obtained fish and set a shallow depth, adjusted to the fish observed.
  3. Cast into clear water, then follow the drift without constantly pulling the float towards you.
  4. At a clear pull, make contact progressively. If bites do not result in a catch, check the bait and hook point before changing depth.

A distinctive feature

The green colour of its bones comes from a pigment called biliverdin.

Sources and review

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

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