All species
UK shore species
Dover sole
Solea solea
Also Sole
PopularNightledger
Habitat
Sand, often after dark, a bit of warmth in the water.
Season
Peak: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Also possible: Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
A night fish of sand, oval rather than diamond, that takes a worm on a slackish tide. They do not rattle like a dab; they lean on the rod.
- Oval, right-eyed
- The mouth looks twisted, with a rounded snout
- Pectoral fin on the eyed side has a dark spot
- No orange spots, a muddy-brown oval
A 30 cm sole is worth having. 40 cm is a very good shore fish.
- Colour
- Muddy brown oval, dark pectoral spot, white blind side.
- Fins
- Dorsal starts on the snout.
- Mouth
- Twisted, underslung, rounded snout.
Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.
- RagwormHook once through the head so it wriggles. A whole king rag for bass; a small harbour rag for dabs.Strong target
- LugwormThread the worm so the hook is hidden and the tail still moves. A bunch for bigger fish; a single for dabs.Good target
- Peeler crabPeel it, leave the catch-legs if you like, bind it on a Pennel so it survives the cast. Half a crab for wrasse, a whole for a hound.Possible target
- 2-hook flapperThe default UK beach rig. Two snoods above a lead, baits off the bottom, easy to tie, easy to fish.Beginner
- 1-up 1-downOne bait on a snood above the lead, one on a flowing trace below. Covers the bottom and a few inches up.Beginner
- Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner
Hooks: 6–2, fine.