The gilthead bream (Sparus aurata) is the most highly prized fish in most spearfishing circles. This fish is stunning in appearance, but also incredible eating. In addition to this, the gilthead’s challenging behaviour and mystique has captured the attention of anglers and spearfishers alike. In short, these fish are difficult to catch, especially on the open coast where we target them as spearfishers.
Though traditionally more common in warmer Mediterranean waters, the gilthead bream is becoming an increasingly familiar sight in UK waters, making it a sought-after species for those looking to test their skills. Some areas on the South Coast now appear to have resident fish which can be caught all year round.
If you’re passionate about fishing, whether with a rod or a spear, understanding the habits and habitat of the gilt-head bream can improve your chances of success. Here’s everything you need to know about this fascinating fish.
Characteristics of the Gilt-head Bream
The gilt-head bream is instantly recognisable due to its unique physical traits. Here’s what makes this fish stand out:
- Appearance: As the name suggests, the fish is distinguished by the golden crescent or ‘gilt’ marking located between its eyes, just above the snout. This golden band is complemented by a silver, somewhat oval-shaped body, with darker patches near the gills and on the tail. It typically has a robust, muscular build, enabling quick bursts of speed.
- Fins and Tail: They have strong, spiny dorsal fins and a forked tail, both contributing to their fast, agile swimming.
- Size: Gilt-head bream can grow up to 70 cm (about 28 inches) in length and weigh up to 5 kg (around 10 lbs). However, in UK waters, they are more commonly found in the 30-50 cm range, with most weighing between 1-2 kg.
- Teeth and Jaws: Gilt-head bream possess strong jaws and hard molar-like teeth designed to crush hard-shelled prey, including molluscs and crustaceans.
- Diet: These fish are omnivorous but tend to favor molluscs such as cockles, crustaceans such as green shore crabs, and occasionally small fish. Their strong and hard mouths are perfect for crushing shells, making rocky seabeds with plenty of crabs, mussels, and clams their preferred hunting grounds.
Behaviour
The gilt-head bream is known for its cautious and often unpredictable behaviour. These fish are intelligent and wary, often sensing disturbances in the water long before other species. This makes stealth and patience crucial for anyone looking to hunt or photograph them in their natural habitat.
- Feeding Habits: These bream are often found feeding in the early morning and late evening, particularly around dawn and dusk, and especially when this coincides with high tide. They hunt for shellfish in sandy or muddy areas, using their strong jaws to break through tough shells. Although they are bottom feeders, gilt-head bream will opportunistically feed in the water column if the chance presents itself.
- Social Behaviour: Gilthead bream are social creatures and hunt in large groups of sometimes over 100 individuals! As they mature, however, the size of shoals can become smaller, especially the larger, more dominant individuals. They tend to stick close to structures such as reefs, wrecks, and rocks, which provide shelter from currents and a rich feeding ground.
- Movement and Migration: These fish are sensitive to changes in water temperature, often moving to deeper waters during colder months and returning closer to shore as the water warms. Gilt-head bream are known for their speed and agility, making them a rewarding but difficult target for spearfishers.
- Spawning Behaviour: In UK waters, the gilthead bream typically spawn between November and March. During this time, they often form large groups, making them vulnerable to netting. They are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning that they generally start life as males and later change to females as they grow larger.
Habitat and Distribution in the UK
The gilt-head bream has historically been more common in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, but in recent years, sightings and catches of this species in UK waters have become more frequent. This trend is likely due to rising sea temperatures caused by climate change, which has encouraged the species to expand its northern range.
Common Habitats:
- Estuaries: These provide an abundant supply of food such as crabs and cockles.
- Mussel covered rocks: These provide both cover and a reliable food source, making them prime areas to spot gilt-head bream. The North Coast of Cornwall is well known for excellent catches of gilthead bream as they feed over mussels in spring and summer.
- Seagrass Beds: Seagrass meadows are another common habitat, offering protection for juvenile bream and abundant food in the form of small invertebrates and plant material.
- Coastal Shelves and Sandy Bottoms: Gilt-head bream can also be found in more open areas near the coast, where sandy and muddy bottoms host various species of small fish and crustaceans.
- UK Distribution: In the UK, gilt-head bream are most commonly found along the southern and southwestern coasts of England, particularly in areas like Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset. They are also present around the Channel Islands. While less common in northern waters, their presence is becoming more noticeable in areas such as the Welsh coast and parts of the Irish Sea.
Spearfishing for Gilthead Bream
While this article isn’t exclusively for spearfishers, it’s important to highlight why the gilthead bream is such a desirable target for this activity. Their elusive nature, quick bursts of speed, and the challenging conditions they favour make them a thrilling fish to pursue, not to mention how delicious they taste.
Although these fish are now quite abundant in Estuaries from the River Taw on the North coast to the Salcombe estuary on the South Coast, spearfishing these areas is impossible due to terrible visibility and boat traffic. Spearfishers are usually restricted to catching Gilthead Bream on the open coast, where they are much more difficult to come across. Nevertheless, I have encountered giltheads on the open coast on a number of occasions and seen shoals of hundreds of individuals. Here are some tips to help you find your first Gilthead Bream on the open coast.
Where to Spearfish
North Coast of Cornwall surf beaches where the rocks are covered in Mussels are the most consistent place to find Giltheads. Aim to search the rocks at high tide as they are usually uncovered at low. Conditions can be very challenging however, and large swells make this type of hunting impossible, and potentially dangerous. Be sure to check the swell report before you head out!
Large sandy bays all around the South West are an excellent place to search. Bear in mind that giltheads will forage on open sand where there is limited structure as they scoop up molluscs and crustaceans.
Stringweed forests which grow on the edge of sheltered bays are a great place to look. Creep very quietly along and look out for the gold shining at the base of the stringweed.
Headlands where the tide rips along can hold large shoals of gilthead but drift diving these marks with a boat is essential.
Best Time for Spearfishing
Early mornings and late evenings, when the fish are actively feeding, are the best times to target them. High tide usually increases your chance of seeing these critters. Warmer months, from May to September, offer the highest chance of success as gilt-head bream tend to stay closer to shore.
Spearfishing Tips
- Patience and stealth are key. Gilt-head bream are wary, so approach slowly and minimize noise. A well-placed shot is critical because these fish are agile and can escape quickly if spooked.
- Sustained periods of calm weather massively increase your chances of finding these fish out foraging on the open coast, especially after a storm.
- Look up! These fish often ghost about quite high in the water column, so can be easily missed if we are looking too low.
- Early mornings or late evenings seem to be when they come closest to shore.
Conclusion
The gilt-head bream is a fish that has captivated the interest of many due to its striking appearance, challenging behaviour, and delicious taste. Whether you’re a rod-and-line angler or an experienced spearfisher, understanding this fish’s habits, habitat, and distribution can greatly increase your chances of a successful catch.
With gilt-head bream sightings increasing in UK waters, particularly around southern coasts, now is an exciting time to go after this elusive species. Whether you’re venturing out to try spearfishing for the first time or simply learning more about the fish inhabiting British shores, the gilt-head bream promises a rewarding and memorable challenge.