Jigs for picarel
Spicara smaris
The picarel (Spicara smaris) is a small coastal fish studied on the Black Sea, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts[2][5][6]. It is among the species caught in coastal trap nets in the Gulf of Saros in April–August[4].
JIGTO for picarel
TIDE 10
TIDE 12This match comes from JIGTO’s product data; it is not a weight measured in the sources.
Season chart
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sea | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | spawning periodS | spawning periodS | spawning periodS | spawning periodS | no record– | no record– | no record– |
| Bosphorus | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– |
| Sea of Marmara | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– |
| Dardanelles | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– |
| Aegean Sea | active periodA | active periodA | no record– | spawning periodS | spawning periodS | active periodA | active periodA | active periodA | active periodA | active periodA | active periodA | active periodA |
| Mediterranean | no record– | no record– | spawning periodS | spawning periodS | active periodA | active periodA | active periodA | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– | no record– |
Sspawning periodAactive period–no record
The chart shows whether the sources hold a record for that region and month; it does not show the chance of a catch. An empty cell does not mean the fish is absent, only that there is no sourced record.
Records
Black Sea · June–September · spawning period
According to a study between Rize and Hopa, the picarel species there spawns from June to September, most in June. [1][2]
Aegean Sea · April–May · spawning period
A study in the northern Aegean names April–May as the picarel spawning period. [1][3]
Aegean Sea · June–August · active period
Picarel were caught in summer in the commercial coastal trap nets of the Gulf of Saros and in a research survey off Gülbahçe in the Bay of İzmir. [4][5]
Aegean Sea · September–February · active period
In a 1997 research survey off Gülbahçe in the Bay of İzmir, picarel were also caught in autumn and winter. [5]
Mediterranean · March–April · spawning period
According to a study in Babadıllimanı Bay (Silifke), picarel spawn mostly in March–April. [6]
Mediterranean · May–July · active period
In a study in Babadıllimanı Bay (Silifke), picarel were caught in research net fishing in May–July. [6]
Unverified field information
The records below are not confirmed by a scientific measurement; they come from an angling guide or a general species description. They are kept apart from the chart and the record count above.
Unverified Mediterranean · August · active period
According to an angling guide, picarel come closer to the Mediterranean coast in summer; this has not been confirmed by a measurement in Türkiye.
- Av Rehberi (avrehberi.com). İzmarit Balığı Nerede Bulunur ve Nasıl Avlanır, 2026-03-13. Study area: Mediterranean. (web page, not a measurement) https://avrehberi.com/izmarit-baligi-nerede-bulunur-ve-nasil-avlanir/
Unverified Mediterranean · December–February · active period
According to an angling guide, picarel move a little deeper in the Mediterranean as the water cools.
- Av Rehberi (avrehberi.com). İzmarit Balığı Nerede Bulunur ve Nasıl Avlanır, 2026-03-13. Study area: Mediterranean. (web page, not a measurement) https://avrehberi.com/izmarit-baligi-nerede-bulunur-ve-nasil-avlanir/
Light and colour
- Glow + UV Charges in daylight or torchlight and glows in the dark. Reacts to UV in sunlight.
- UV Lights up under UV and in sunlight underwater. Does not glow in the dark.
- Natural Classic colour and holographic finish, for clear water and bright days.
None of our sources shows that a jig catches more fish because of its colour, glow or UV. Choose the light class by the light in the water and your own preference.
Closed seasons and minimum sizes
In Türkiye, recreational fishing rules are set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in its Notification No. 6/2 on recreational fishing. Rules change; check the current version before you fish. Outside Türkiye, follow your local rules. Ministry page on fishing (Turkish) ↗
Frequently asked questions
When is picarel season?
According to the sources, picarel spawn mostly in March–April at Silifke[6], in April–May in the northern Aegean[3] and in June–September in the eastern Black Sea[2]. In a research trawl survey in the Bay of İzmir, they were also caught in summer, autumn and winter[5].
What jig weight for picarel?
In JIGTO’s product data, picarel is a target species of these series: TIDE 10, TIDE 12. Weights run from 10 to 12 g, with a suggested depth of 1–20 m. The deeper the water and the stronger the current, the heavier the series. This match is JIGTO’s product data; it is not a weight measured in the sources.
References
- Daban İB (2021). Türkiye Deniz Balıklarının Üreme Biyolojisi Araştırmaları Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme. Study area: Black Sea / Marmara / Aegean. (review) https://doi.org/10.46384/jmsf.983779
- Dalgıç G, Ergün İO, Onay H, Ceylan Y (2021). Determination of some biological characteristics and population parameters of the blotched picarel (Spicara flexuosa Rafinesque, 1810) distributed in the Eastern Black Sea (Rize - Hopa). Study area: Black Sea. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.814299
- Ercan H, Yığın Ç, İşmen A (2006). Kuzey Ege Denizi'nde İzmarit Balığının (Spicara smaris L., 1758) Yumurta Verimliliği. Study area: Aegean. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/57750
- Çolakoğlu S, Tokaç A, İşmen A, Yurdusev H (2015). Catch composition of set net (fixed stake trap) fisheries in the coastal waters of Saros Bay, North Aegean Sea. Study area: Aegean. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.2015.32.2.01
- Metin C, Tosunoğlu Z, Tokaç A, Lök A, Aydın C, Kaykaç H (2000). Seasonal Variations of Demersal Fish Composition in Gülbahçe Bay (İzmir Bay). Study area: Aegean. https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/vol24/iss4/12/
- Yeldan H, Avşar D, Özütok M, Çiçek E (2003). Babadıllimanı Koyu'ndaki (Silifke-İçel) İzmarit Balıklarının (Spicara smaris (L., 1758)) Büyüme ve Üreme Özellikleri. Study area: Mediterranean. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/57936
This page is based on 6 sourced season records and 6 sources. The season records are the approved data the JIGTO Jig Selector also uses. 2 unverified records are listed separately and are not included in this count.