Anyone actively target turbot?

[RemoteWanderer]

Will be spending most of my spring chasing these and plaice, would love a turbo of 2lbs+ from the shore here in the South/Southwest. Anyone actively target them with consistent results? What features do you look for in a turbot mark etc. Find that they are very hit and miss even the smaller ones, one morning on a local beach saw a newbie have 4 within an hour in bright sun and glassy flat conditions, despite never really hearing of them off that beach. Tactic has always been clean beaches by where stream enters the water, fish baits lobbed into shallow clean onshore surf tables 10-30yds whilst another rod fishes for ray/bass. Thinking of twitching frozen sandeels along the deck over clean ground too, with them being such visual feeders. Would be interesting to hear how tactics differ to others when targetting these flatties, I think one reason is that I've not put enough time in after them but will be this year. Any info is much appreciated, Tight lines,

 

[Cwab]

Know virtually nothing about them bar one or two north east beaches small ones consistently caught but did have an encounter which surprised me knowing little about them. Story short, fishing near to a guy whilst fishing a jetty onto clean ground in summer for bass during that time he caught two small turbot and been nosey went to inspect.
Both fish had obvious bulges from a recent meal and on inspection both had just eaten small weaver fish which surprised me, also why they wanted anything else as appeared stuffed, cannot remember what bait he was using but was just having a jolly.
Edit, sea was flat calm and tide just turned and we were both moving along jetty casting behind the wavelets following tide in.

 

[Beach]

I did on the west coast of BC Canada, evil agressive things imo.

 

[J Richards]

I’ve had them at Chesil to well over 2lb.

 

[chesilpete]

West Chesil, sandeel. March n April

 

[Mr Fish]

Had quite a few ray fishing in North Devon and North Somerset surf beaches, but nothing over about 12oz.
The former after dark, mainly because you can’t fish the beaches in the day very easily due to the expensive parking and rubber clad seals.
The latter in daytime, they seem to feed well enough in the day.

They’ve always taken sandeel baits meant for rays but I’m sure a flowing mackerel belly strip bait would work well, or a fresh mackerel strip even more so.

In terms of distance, doesn’t seem to matter - ray baits are usually out from 60 yards to whatever I can reach, probably 80 lol.

But I’ve disturbed small flatties wading in close so wouldn’t surprise me if they’re at shorter range too.

Could try a lighter carp or flattie rod with a 2-3oz plain lead and longish running ledger, let it roll around the features, they like to ambush a bait.

Otherwise if known, try and fish around the edges of sandbanks.

Only ones I’ve seen over a pound (and not much over) are at Selworthy in Somerset but that’s an epic trek and an epic climb for about four hours fishing on the sand around low.
Much more than I’m able or willing to do these days!

 

[J Richards]

Mackerel and squid baits on Chesil do well for me on Chesil. But I dont think they are to fussy, location/timing is key like any species.

 

[nearly70ty]

I haven't targeted them for a few years, but when I did, shallow surf beach was the chosen venue, or a rock mark on to clean sand. I would use a clipped down two up rig with 2/0 hooks, with the size of their mouths you could quite easerly go bigger. The bait was Ammo sand eels with their heads and tails removed lashed to the hook and I use to belt it as far as I could with both rods, to be honest I never thought to drop one short. Iol.
One or two was a reasonable session, though I've had half a dozen. They were usually around the pound mark, with one or two going over 2 pound. The favorite months were March and April, though they were probably their other times I just would be targetting other fish.

 

[Mr Fish]

I haven't targeted them for a few years, but when I did, shallow surf beach was the chosen venue, or a rock mark on to clean sand. I would use a clipped down two up rig with 2/0 hooks, with the size of their mouths you could quite easerly go bigger. The bait was Ammo sand eels with their heads and tails removed lashed to the hook and I use to belt it as far as I could with both rods, to be honest I never thought to drop one short. Iol.
One or two was a reasonable session, though I've had half a dozen. They were usually around the pound mark, with one or two going over 2 pound. The favorite months were March and April, though they were probably their other times I just would be targetting other fish.

I think as far as surf beaches go, they’ll be at various distances?
Wherever the food is basically and sandeels are often right by the shoreline.
I’d imagine features is more key at many venues?

Whereabouts did you fish for them, Wales?

Have to say apart from Selworthy, I’ve not seen a shore turbo over a pound on the Devon/Somerset coast.

 

[Topwater]

Active is the key word in my experience. They're primarily ambush predators so a moving/rolled bait works best ime. Fan casting to cover the ground and staying mobile. We used sand eel or belly strip baits elasticated on to 2/0 or 3/0 pennels on long flowing traced up-and-overs and plain or ball leads on the Aberdeenshire coast. Never caught any monsters, my best was 4.5lb, though we were reliably told of a 7lber.

They are present here on the bit of Lancashire coast I now live on but very rarely caught by anglers. Perhaps because there's such a hude acreage of sand and so few people do anything but ledger worm baits on grip leads? Bait diggers and dog walkers occasionally come across them stranded in gullies/pools at dead LW. The best I've seen was nicely in to double figures.

 

[Timmy H]

As Mr Fish said, Selworthy was where I used to catch them and in good numbers but that was a long time ago. I can't manage the trek and the climb now.

 

[Gold’nOldie]

I’ve caught a good number when fishing in Cornwall, all from the south coast. Best for numbers was Whitsand bay between Plymouth and Looe, around the Freathy area. No biggies, with most between about 10oz up to 1lb 8oz, with the biggest pushing 3lb. Incoming tide in daylight with a freshly raked small sand eel on a long trace worked for me. Not sure how it fishes now, that was a good few years ago! Also had them when fishing the west side of the Lizard, off the rocks onto sand between Mullion Cove and Gunwalloe, mostly between 1-2lbs, biggest again around 3lbs.
There are plenty of other places immediately west of the Lizard where rocks into deep water over sand can be found, all are worth a chuck as I have had the odd turbot when on holiday. I’d stick with same tactics but use good quality frozen eels. Late summer into autumn was best for me, although closer to home, West Sussex venues seem to produce more fish in spring.
Good luck, Bob.

 

[Mr Fish]

I’ve caught a good number when fishing in Cornwall, all from the south coast. Best for numbers was Whitsand bay between Plymouth and Looe, around the Freathy area. No biggies, with most between about 10oz up to 1lb 8oz, with the biggest pushing 3lb. Incoming tide in daylight with a freshly raked small sand eel on a long trace worked for me. Not sure how it fishes now, that was a good few years ago! Also had them when fishing the west side of the Lizard, off the rocks onto sand between Mullion Cove and Gunwalloe, mostly between 1-2lbs, biggest again around 3lbs.
There are plenty of other places immediately west of the Lizard where rocks into deep water over sand can be found, all are worth a chuck as I have had the odd turbot when on holiday. I’d stick with same tactics but use good quality frozen eels. Late summer into autumn was best for me, although closer to home, West Sussex venues seem to produce more fish in spring.
Good luck, Bob.

Not bad sizes! Unfortunately here they really are not much bigger than saucer sized so I don’t target them but a few come as ray bycatch, especially in the spring.

I do keep meaning to dedicate a trip or two for them in Somerset, more as an experiment than anything, but it’s getting around to it.
Not Selworthy though

 

[nearly70ty]

I think as far as surf beaches go, they’ll be at various distances?
Wherever the food is basically and sandeels are often right by the shoreline.
I’d imagine features is more key at many venues?

Whereabouts did you fish for them, Wales?

Have to say apart from Selworthy, I’ve not seen a shore turbo over a pound on the Devon/Somerset coast.

South Wales, the beaches I targeted them on were east of Swansea and had lage sandbanks just off shore. They do get caught as a by catch west of Swansea again off shore banks feature.

 

[Timmy H]

Not bad sizes! Unfortunately here they really are not much bigger than saucer sized so I don’t target them but a few come as ray bycatch, especially in the spring.

I do keep meaning to dedicate a trip or two for them in Somerset, more as an experiment than anything, but it’s getting around to it.
Not Selworthy though

I've had a couple off Downend rocks just outside Croyde, that was 40 years ago though.

 

[Mr Fish]

South Wales, the beaches I targeted them on were east of Swansea and had lage sandbanks just off shore. They do get caught as a by catch west of Swansea again off shore banks feature.

Ah I did wonder, given your location. Not that I’m gonna travel to south wales just for 1lb 8 turbot lol, but it’s interesting you get a better stamp that side.
This side they’re a very modest size indeed

 

[James81]

Hi , I've only ever caught one Turbot, maybe 1.5lb, caught from Hurst castle , quite a few years ago, caught on mackerel strip . Not sure how common they are from that area .

 

[Seymour]

It's worth looking on YouTube at some of the anglers in Denmark that fish for them in the surf tables. The tactic seems to be to lob out a string of sandeel imitations and some sort of metal spoon, even an Abu Toby. They catch plenty and some quite nice ones too.

I have caught a couple in Jersey, on live sandeel, just small ones. I've also caught them spinning with a mepps and ragworm when after thin lipped mullet. I've also targeted them on boats, catching a fair few in my time. Sometimes they can feed like mackerel. But a common theme, as was mentioned on the thread, they are highly inquisitive. A moving bait and plenty of flash is a good idea. I often thought of them as stationary, ambush predators, but they are prepared to move and even swim off the bottom a bit, in pursuit of prey.

Maybe shouldn't admit to it but I've also spearfished turbot. I attest to the fact they come in very shallow, and day or night, it doesn't matter. They also have a habit of turning up in unexpected places. I think more would be caught if every angler used fish baits.

I've a plan to try the Danish technique of lure fishing here in Jersey. I would love a decent fish off the shore myself. Often my plans come to naught though these days

 

[Topwater]

Food for thought Seymour Adaptable creatures are fish

 

[RemoteWanderer]

It's worth looking on YouTube at some of the anglers in Denmark that fish for them in the surf tables. The tactic seems to be to lob out a string of sandeel imitations and some sort of metal spoon, even an Abu Toby. They catch plenty and some quite nice ones too.

I have caught a couple in Jersey, on live sandeel, just small ones. I've also caught them spinning with a mepps and ragworm when after thin lipped mullet. I've also targeted them on boats, catching a fair few in my time. Sometimes they can feed like mackerel. But a common theme, as was mentioned on the thread, they are highly inquisitive. A moving bait and plenty of flash is a good idea. I often thought of them as stationary, ambush predators, but they are prepared to move and even swim off the bottom a bit, in pursuit of prey.

Maybe shouldn't admit to it but I've also spearfished turbot. I attest to the fact they come in very shallow, and day or night, it doesn't matter. They also have a habit of turning up in unexpected places. I think more would be caught if every angler used fish baits.

I've a plan to try the Danish technique of lure fishing here in Jersey. I would love a decent fish off the shore myself. Often my plans come to naught though these days

Interesting post mate thanks for sharing, regarding when you used to get in the water searching for them, did you ever see any nice bigger turbot in the shallows and did you notice a pattern to the kind of features where they'd group up? Have always wanted to do a few drifts over the alderney banks.. tight lines,