Turbot
Scophthalmus maximus
Turbot is a large, left-eyed flatfish prized for its firm white flesh. It lives on sandy and muddy seabeds in cool to temperate coastal waters, where it ambushes prey from the bottom.
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Identification points
- Very flattened body with both eyes on the left side
- Dark upper side with bony tubercles instead of smooth scales
- Broad, nearly circular outline with a relatively large mouth and no visible spots like brill
Habitat
Shallow to moderately deep sandy and muddy bottoms on the continental shelf, often near inshore banks, estuaries, and coastal drop-offs in the NE Atlantic, Baltic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea.
Bait notes
Best baits are live or fresh strips of sandeel, herring, mackerel, squid, cut fish, shrimp, and crab. Large fish-shaped soft plastics and bottom-trolled lures can work for active fish.
Behavior
A benthic ambush predator that feeds on fish, crabs, shrimps, and other bottom-dwelling prey. It often lies partly buried or camouflaged on the seabed and is most active when foraging near dusk, at night, or in low light.
Caution
Sharp gill covers and large specimens can have strong jaws; handle carefully. As a predatory marine fish, larger turbot may carry elevated contaminant loads in some areas, so follow local consumption advisories and size regulations.
Fishing notes
Fish close to the bottom over clean sand or mixed sand-mud using a heavy ledger or paternoster rig. Work baits slowly, keep contact with the seabed, and use a strong hookset; drifting or light boat trolling over known banks is effective.