WHERE & WHEN

Most turbot are caught over or in the very near vicinity of sandbanks, typically over a seabed consisting of clean sand or shingle. Some of the most prolific turbot marks are isolated individual or larger systems of banks, areas that, invariably, are washed by a very strong run of tide.

Boats fishing out of ports all along the south coast of England have a long association with turbot fishing, with key areas including the famed Shambles Bank off Weymouth, and Skerries off Dartmouth.

The numerous banks found around the Channel Islands also offer fantastic turbot fishing, as do the especially rich seas around the Shetland Islands, an area that, in recent years, has produced some spectacular turbot.

Occasionally, turbot of specimen size are caught by anglers fishing offshore wrecks, usually if their baits are fishing in gullies scoured out by the tide at the side and behind of the actual wreck. A few turbot are caught in many other areas around the UK but, generally, these tend to be small fish averaging under 5lb.

The optimum time to target turbot is from the spring through until the autumn.