All year round, Sea fishing in Cyprus is an exciting sport for the fanatics. You may catch different species pending on the season. From octopus, squids to sword fish and Tunas.
Fishing may take place in a number of ways – using fishing poles if you are fishing from the beach or rocks and there are rocks in the water- thus you need a pole with float in order to avoid getting stuck. Reels are also popular especially if you are casting from the beach or rocks into sandy beaches. Trolling is becoming very popular in recent years as boaters find themselves battling against large sword fish, tunas and other species.
Fishing tackle shops are present throughout the island. Prices may vary according to makes of gear but there are a number of stores which offer great selection of rods, reels, fishing lines, fishing tackle, live and artificial baits as well as other fishing tackle accessories.
SALT WATER FISH FOUND IN CYPRUS
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GARFISH
Scientific name: Belone belone Common size: 25-50 cm, weight: 20-500 gr Fishing season: Aug-Nov Bait: Small dead or live fish, squid, prawn, flour, spinner etc Hook size: No. 10-14 Line: 0.25-0.30 mm Found up to 0.5 m deep. |
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SEA BASS
Scientific name: Dicentrarchus labrax Common size: 25-125 cm, weight: 0.3-10 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Dead or live fish, worms, prawn, meat, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 2-8 Line: 0.30-0.35 mm Gar. Can be found in all beaches and in harbours hunting for mice and frogs. |
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JACK
Scientific name: Lichia amia Common size: 15-100 cm, weight: 0.03-5 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year especially Aug-Nov Bait: Small live fish, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 4-8 Line: 0.25-0.30 mm Gar. Can be caught any time of the day rarely at night. |
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BARRACUDA
Scientific name: Sphyraena sphyraena Common size: 30-130 cm, weight: 0.3-5 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Small live fish, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 4-8 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Gar. Can be found late in the afternoon and during the night time. |
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DOLPHIN
Scientific name: Coryphaena hippurus Common size: 40-150 cm, weight: 0.3-10 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Small live fish, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 2-4 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Gar. Can be found any time of the day when you least expect it. |
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BLUEFISHScientific name: Temnodom saltator
Common size: 25-120 cm, weight: 0.2-10 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Small live fish, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 4-8 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Gar. Warning:Sharp teeth can easily cut your fingers. |
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TUNAFISH
Scientific name: Thunnus thunnus Common size: 0.3-3 m Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Small live fish, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 4-8 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Usually found in open sea, rarely at the beach. |
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AMBERJACK
Scientific name: Seriola dumerili Common size: 30-120 cm, weight: 0.5 -30 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year (esp. Aug-Oct) Bait: Small live fish, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 2-4 Line: 0.35-0.45 mm Gar. Can be caught any time of the day usually from a boat. |
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MEDITERRANEAN HORSE MACKEREL
Scientific name: Trachurus mediterraneus (or Caranx suareus) Common size: 12-30 cm, weight: 0.2 -1 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year (esp. Jun-Oct) Bait: Small live fish, prawn, plastic fish, spoon, spinner etc Hook size: No. 4-8 Line: 0.20-0.30 mm Gar. Can be caught any time of the day |
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BLACKFISH
Scientific name: Epinephelus guaza Common size: 10-150 cm, weight: 0.1-25 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Small live or dead fish, squid, prawn, worms etc Hook size: No. 2-8 Line: 0.35-0.45 mm Can be found during the night time. |
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PERCH
Scientific name: Serranus scriba Common size: 10-30 cm, weight: 60 – 600 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Prawn, worm, squid etc Hook size: No. 8-12 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm Can be found near underwater rocks. |
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WRASSE
Scientific name:Labrus bergylta Common size: 10-25 cm, weight: 30-250 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Worms, prawn, squid, flour etc Hook size: No. 12-16 Line: 0.18-0.25 mm Found near underwater rocks and plants. |
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SCORPION-FISH
Scientific name: Scorpaena scrofa Common size: 10-40 cm, weight: 60-1000 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Any bait. Hook size: No. 4-10 Line: 0.20-0.30 mm Found near rocks. Can be caught at night. WARNING: Poisonous spine can cause insufferable pain. |
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CONGER EEL
Scientific name: Conger conger Common size: 30-150 cm, weight: 30gr – 3 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Dead or live fish, worms, prawn, squid etc Hook size: No. 2-6 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Live in holes in rocks and are very difficult to catch but small ones can be caught rarely during the night time. |
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MORAY
Scientific name: Muraena helena Common size: 30-150 cm, weight: 100gr -3 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Small dead or live fish, squid, octopus etc Hook size: No. 2-6 Line: 0.35-0.45 mm Lives in holes and caves in rocks. VERY DANGEROUS when caught or pestered. Razor sharp teeth can easily cut pieces of flesh. Can stay alive for hours out of the water so just cut its head off to be on the safe side. |
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BOGUE
Scientific name: Boops boops Common size: 10-25 cm, weight: 30-150 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year especially during the summer. Bait: Flour, prawn, squid etc Hook size: No. 12-16 Line: 0.15-0.25 mm |
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SALPA
Scientific name: Boops salpa Common size: 12-35 cm, weight: 50gr-1.5kg Fishing season: Jul-Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, squid etc Hook size: No. 10-14 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm |
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MULLET
Scientific name: Mugil cephalus Common size: 10-70 cm, weight: 15gr-5kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Flour, bread, cheese etc Hook size: No. 14-18 Line: 0.16-0.20 mm Met everywhere and especially in harbours and sandy beaches. |
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WHITE BREAM
Scientific name: Diplodus sargus Common size: 10-40 cm, weight: 75gr-1kg Fishing season: Jul – Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, cheese, worms etc Hook size: No. 8-14 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm |
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SADDLED SEA BREAM
Scientific name: Oblada melanura Common size: 10-40 cm, weight: 60-800 gr Fishing season: Jul – Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, cheese, worms etc Hook size: No. 8-14 Line: 0.18-0.25 mm |
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STRIPED SEABREAM – MOURMOURA
Scientific name: Lithognathus mormyrus Common size: 10-40 cm, weight: 60-1000 gr Fishing season: Jul – Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, worms etc Hook size: No. 8-12 Line: 0.18-0.25 mm |
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GILTHEAD SEA BREAM
Scientific name: Sparus aurata Common size: 15-80 cm, weight: 100gr -3 kg Fishing season: Jul – Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, worms, mussels etc Hook size: No. 6-10 Line: 0.20-0.30 mm |
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CORB Scientific name: Umbrina cirrosa
Common size: 15-100 cm, weight: 60gr-7kg Fishing season: Jul – Nov Bait: Prawn, worms etc Hook size: No. 6-10 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm |
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EEL
Scientific name: Anguilla anguilla Common size: up to 1.5 m, weight: 0.5-3 kg Fishing season: Spring-Autumn Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, liver, gurry etc Hook size: No. 2-8 Line: 0.35-0.40 mm Gar. Active during night time. Hides in mud at the bed of dams and rivers. |
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WEEVER FISH
Scientific name: Trachinus araneus Common size: 10-35 cm, weight: 60-800 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Prawn, worms etc Hook size: No. 4-10 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm Found near rocks or plants in sandy beaches. WARNING: Poisonous spine can cause insufferable pain. |
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PARROT FISH (SCARUS)
Scientific name: Scarus cretensis Common size: 10-40 cm, weight: 60-400 gr Fishing season: Aug-Nov Bait: Wrack, algae, rarely prawn Hook size: No. 6-10 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm |
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PLAICE
Scientific name: Solea vulgaris Common size: 15-50 cm, weight: 50-300 gr Fishing season: Aug-Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, worms, etc Hook size: No. 8-14 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm |
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SHARP-NOSED SEA BREAM
Scientific name: Puntazzo puntazzo Common size: 10-35 cm, weight: 75-250gr Fishing season: Sep – Nov Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, cheese, worms etc Hook size: No. 8-14 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm |
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BLENNY
Scientific name: Blennius gattorugine (A few other species can also be found) Common size: 10-20 cm, weight: 35-100gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, cheese, worms etc Hook size: No. 8-16 Line: 0.15-0.25 mm NOT EATABLE. Caught by mistake when fishing for other fish. |
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RAINBOW WRASSE
Scientific name: Coris julis Common size: 5-20 cm, weight: 35-150 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, cheese, worms etc Hook size: No. 16-18 Line: 0.15-0.20 mm |
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PEACOCK WRASSE
Scientific name: Thalassoma pavo Common size: 5-20 cm, weight: 35-150 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Flour, prawn, squid, cheese, worms etc Hook size: No. 16-18 Line: 0.15-0.20 mm |
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SILVERSIDE
Scientific name: Atherina hepsetus, Atherina presbyter Common size: 5-15 cm, weight: 10-50 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year esp. Sep-Nov Bait: n/a Hook size: n/a Can only be caught using nets. |
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COMPER
Scientific name: Serranus cabrilla, Serranus hepatus Common size: 10-30 cm, weight: 50 – 250 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Prawn, worm, squid etc Hook size: No. 8-12 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm Can be found near underwater rocks or sandy beaches. |
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DUSKY SPINEFOOD
Scientific name: Siganus Luridus Common size: 10-22 cm, max 30 cm , weight: 50 – 250 gr Fishing season: Jul – Nov Bait: Flour, wrack, algae etc Hook size: No. 14-16 Line: 0.16-0.20 mm Can be found in rocky or hard substrate, usually covered with vegetation. Migrated from Red Sea around the year 1969 via the Suez Canal It’s dorsal fin is venomous. Stinging very painful but non-lethal. |
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SWORDFISH
Scientific name: Xiphias gladius Common size: 1-3 m, weight: 80 – 300 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: gilthead sea bream, squid etc. Caution: Very dangerous |
CAUTION: Lagocephalus sp.
The fish is known as KOUNELI OR LAGOKEFALOS In Greek.
If you catch them kill them and drop them in the water. Although in Japan it is considered as a suchi speciality, Chefs are trained for six years before they are allowed to serve it to people. IT MAY RESULT TO DEATH.
Here is a picture of how it looks like so you know:
