Little fish fact
Dab are little coastal wanderers: they live on sandy and pebbly ground, and can travel surprisingly far into fresh water.
Fishing for Dab
Bait - Sand eel, sprat, mackerel, molluscs
Method - ledger, plaice spoon
Sandy beaches and estuaries are the best locations to fish for dab and other flat fish
Identification
The dab is very similar to a plaice but is a paler brown colour. The lateral line is a circular curve above the pectoral fin
Length
Length is 20-25cm
Breeding Time
Early Spring
Latin Names
Order - Heterosamata
Latin Name - limanda limanda
Family - Pleuronectidae
Habitat
Dab are bottom dwellers. You can find them on sandy, pebbly ground off the beaches and river estuaries. It's surprising how far they will travel into fresh water.
Suggested Cooking Methods & Recipes
Dab are good to eat but not as good as plaice or sole.
We recommend cooking them, like plaice on the bone under the grill. Spread a little butter on the and add a dash of lemon juice and some seasoning prior to cooking.
