Saltwater
Saddled Seabream
Oblada melanurus
Hebrew name: אובלדה
- Peak season
- Year-round; best spring to autumn (April-November)
- Length range
- 15–30 cm
- Weight range
- 0.1–0.5 kg
- Typical depth
- 0–30 m
Habitat
Rocky coasts, breakwaters and seagrass beds of the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, from the surface to about 30 m. Common around harbours and jetties.
Behavior
Swims in schools in mid-water above the rocks, picking at plankton, small crustaceans and algae. Large eyes make it shy in clear calm water; it bites best in a bit of swell or at dusk.
Best techniques
- Light float fishing with bread or paste
- Fine line and small hooks with shrimp
- Groundbait (berley) of bread and sardine
- Bombarda with a small fly or bread
