How to catch Atlantic lizardfish
Synodus saurus (Linnaeus, 1758)
About Atlantic lizardfish fishing
The Atlantic lizardfish is a slender, elongated marine predator belonging to the family Synodontidae. It features a flattened head, bulging eyes, and a wide mouth filled with numerous sharp teeth, complemented by mottled brown and greenish camouflage patterns with faint blue and orange highlights. Growing up to forty centimetres in standard length, this demersal species inhabits shallow subtropical coastal waters down to four hundred metres, with a strong preference for insular sandy and mixed sand-rock seabeds. It operates as an aggressive ambush hunter, burying itself in the sediment to wait for passing fish and crustaceans before executing rapid darting attacks. While not a primary commercial target, it is frequently encountered by recreational anglers exploring coastal shallows.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
20 cm TL
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Market value
Medium
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Habitat
Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Also known as
Bluestripe lizardfish, Bluestriped lizard, Bluestriped lizardfish, Lizard fish, Mackerabel
Large Mouth
Extremely large mouth extending past the eye defines this predatory lizardfish.
Adipose Fin
Small fleshy adipose fin present on the back before the tail.
Lateral Spots
Distinct horizontal row of dark spots along the midbody line.
Atlantic lizardfish fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
20 cm TL (max 40 cm SL ) -
Typical weight
0.2 kg (max 0.3 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
16.4–27.9 °C -
Depth
1–400 m -
Longevity
10 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
47.1
Best hours
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Low
Dawn
First light
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Peak
Morning
After sunrise
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Peak
Midday
High sun
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Active
Afternoon
Late day
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Low
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Atlantic lizardfish
How to catch Atlantic lizardfish
Tips for catching Atlantic lizardfish
Targeting this species successfully relies on understanding its ambush behaviour over sandy or rocky coastal bottoms. Spinners and light rock fishers score well by casting small soft shads or metal jigs close to the sea floor, retrieving them with slow bounces or sharp jerks to mimic a fleeing small fish. When fishing with bait from the shore or a anchored boat, simple running ledger rigs baited with strips of sardine or marine worms presented directly on the bottom will readily tempt them. Because they hunt primarily by sight during daylight hours, calm and clear weather conditions yield the most consistent results across the warmer months of the year.
Other names for Atlantic lizardfish
Local and alternate names anglers use for Atlantic lizardfish.
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Atlantic lizardfish
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Mackerabel
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Lizard fish
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Bluestriped lizardfish
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Bluestriped lizard
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Bluestripe lizardfish
Best equipment to catch Atlantic lizardfish
Compare fishing methods for Atlantic lizardfish — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
85% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
70% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Jigging
Working vertical lures with an active up-and-down motion.
60% Effectiveness
Rod
Jigging rod
A jigging rod is the short, powerful fishing rod for working a metal jig up through the column, including freshwater jigging.
Sized for a typical fish
heavy · 1.52 m
- Reel seat
- Casting
- Form factor
- One-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Jigging reel
A jigging reel is a compact, high-speed conventional for working metal jigs. A short retrieve picks up slack fast.
Sized for a typical fish
10 · 10 kg drag
- Spool
- Revolving
- Mount
- Over
- Drag
- Star
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Best lures and baits for Atlantic lizardfish
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
02
Metal jig
- Spinning
A long metal lure for speed-jigging the deep column.
03
Lugworm
- Bottom Fishing
Fleshy, segmented body provides substantial scent and natural appeal for bottom fish.
04
Sardine
- Bottom Fishing
Elongated silvery baitfish body releases strong scent trails.
05
Shrimp
- Bottom Fishing
Translucent segmented carapace protects the body.
06
Casting jig
- Jigging
A casting jig you hop, drag, and swim on the bottom.
Where Atlantic lizardfish spends the year — Non-migratory
Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.
1 Eggs
Same water all year
Laid on the home grounds.
2 Juveniles
Same water all year
Grow up close by.
3 Adults
Same water all year
Keep to a small home range.
4 Spawners
Same water all year
Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Atlantic lizardfish
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Diet
Top predator -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Morning · Midday -
Feeds over
Soft bottom · Intertidal -
Main prey
Baitfish
Prey and predators of Atlantic lizardfish
Prey is what Atlantic lizardfish eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Predators
What hunts it
Fish
Where Atlantic lizardfish lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
1–400 m
Where this species lives
Atlantic lizardfish photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Atlantic lizardfish
Mapped fishing spots where Atlantic lizardfish is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
