BCNPescaFishing forecast · Barcelona & the Catalan coast

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Gilthead seabream

Sparus aurata · Orada · Dorada

Crushes shellfish — use a strong hook and check knots. Best over mixed sand and rock, often very close in.

Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Photo: (c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Scientific name
Sparus aurata
Also called
Orada · Dorada
What it takes
titàcranc pelutgambanavallamusclo
How to rig for it
  • Running ledger, 1–2 m fluorocarbon
  • Light surfcasting pulley rig
  • Float-fished prawn over sand
Best light
First light · Dusk · After dark
Depth
1–30 m
Water temperature
16–26 °C
Minimum landing size
20 cm

When Gilthead seabream is in season

April· May· June· July· August· September· October· November

Where to catch Gilthead seabream around Barcelona

The marks whose ground suits this fish. Each one opens the detail for this species there.

Pier Pont del Petroli Badalona’s old oil pier, now a public walkway reaching into deep water. The best-known mark on this coast for bass, bluefish and squid. Breakwater Escullera de Barcelona (Port Vell) Long port breakwater with deep water close in. Conger and scorpionfish after dark; sargo tight to the blocks. Breakwater Port Olímpic Lit harbour walls — squid and cuttlefish on autumn and spring nights, mullet inside the basin. Beach Platja de la Barceloneta Clean sand for gilthead and striped seabream. Very busy by day — fish it at first light or after dark. Beach Platja de Sant Sebastià Quieter end of the Barceloneta sand, close to the breakwater corner. Beach Platja del Bogatell Groynes at either end hold sargo and variada; open sand between them for surfcasting. Breakwater Espigó de Bac de Roda Accessible groyne with rough ground on both sides — light rockfishing and float work. Beach Platja de la Mar Bella Open beach, good after a blow when the water colours up. Beach Platja de la Nova Mar Bella Less crowded northern sand, within walking distance of the Fòrum. Rocks Parc del Fòrum / Zona de Banys Concrete and rock edges over deeper water. Reliable for sargo, oblada and evening bass. River mouth Desembocadura del Besòs Brackish outflow that concentrates mullet and pulls bass in after rain. Beach Platja de Montgat Steeper shingle beach north of the city, with rocky patches worth prospecting. Breakwater Port del Masnou Marina walls and adjacent beach; a good all-weather option when the south is blown out. River mouth Platja del Prat (Llobregat delta) Wide delta beaches by the Llobregat mouth. Big open sand — proper surfcasting territory. Beach Platja de Castelldefels Long, shallow-shelving sand. Best on a building sea when the surf stirs food up. Rocks Garraf Rocky coast south of the city — the nearest genuine rockfishing. Take care on a swell.