Thanks for commenting :-) They are indeed what would be called whitebait, being a generic term for immature fish so you aren't wrong however as a specific species they are indeed European Sprats - Sprattus sprattus - which are part of the family Clupeidae which includes herring and anchovy amongst others. I made the positive ID (wasn't sure whether they were immature sprat or herring) by checking the following indicators: rough from pelvic to head on keel, pelvic fin starts slightly before dorsal fin. I carry ID books in the van for the dive records so I can check the finer points on the occasional species I'm not certain of. You are also correct that they are good eating - I scooped a lod from the shingle and fried them up in the car park! beautiful they were. I have some salting now too, for use as anchovy substitute. The wiki page is a good read by the way: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitebait
I had a few hours at Weybourne last night on the feathers. Don't think they're in yet. This is my first year trying.
Is there many smooth hounds here ? I'm staying at kellingheath in a couple of weeks
@@rgm19922 no idea.
It's usually late July through August that they come in, but it varies on time if day and conditions too
I've not seen any while diving but there should be in patches. Further around the coast between Yarmouth and Lowestoft we get plenty
Hello, How good is winter lure fishing on the North Norfolk Coast down to Sea Palling ? TIA.
No idea, sorry
thats whitebait not sprats but good eating no need fillet ha ha
Thanks for commenting :-) They are indeed what would be called whitebait, being a generic term for immature fish so you aren't wrong however as a specific species they are indeed European Sprats - Sprattus sprattus - which are part of the family Clupeidae which includes herring and anchovy amongst others. I made the positive ID (wasn't sure whether they were immature sprat or herring) by checking the following indicators: rough from pelvic to head on keel, pelvic fin starts slightly before dorsal fin. I carry ID books in the van for the dive records so I can check the finer points on the occasional species I'm not certain of. You are also correct that they are good eating - I scooped a lod from the shingle and fried them up in the car park! beautiful they were. I have some salting now too, for use as anchovy substitute. The wiki page is a good read by the way: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitebait