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How to catch Greater forkbeard

Phycis blennoides (Brünnich, 1768)

About Greater forkbeard fishing

The greater forkbeard is a deep-water marine fish belonging to the family Phycidae, easily recognised by its elongated fusiform body, terminal mouth, distinct chin barbel, and thread-like pelvic fins. Distributed across the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, it inhabits soft muddy and sandy seabeds ranging from moderate shelf depths down to the continental slope. Juveniles typically reside in shallower coastal waters, whereas mature adults migrate into deeper offshore zones. Operating primarily as a benthic carnivore, it feeds on small bottom-dwelling crustaceans and fish. Although taken mostly by commercial fisheries, its distinctive appearance and sporting potential attract occasional attention from deep-water boat anglers.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    45 cm

  • Market value

    Medium

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Beard, Forked hake, Grater forkbeard, Greater fork beard, Greater fork-beard

Greater forkbeard

Elongated pelvic rays

Pelvic fins feature extremely long, thread-like elongated rays typical of the forkbeard.

Rounded caudal fin

Caudal fin shape is rounded with a slightly convex margin.

Terminal mouth

Mouth is terminal with a prominent chin barbel characteristic of this species.

Greater forkbeard fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    45 cm (max 110 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    0.8 kg (max 3.5 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    5.4–14.6 °C

  • Depth

    10–1,351 m

  • Longevity

    20 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    52.4

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Active

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Low

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Low

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Active

  • Night

    After dark

    Peak

When to fish for Greater forkbeard

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Greater forkbeard

Tips for catching Greater forkbeard

Targeting greater forkbeard requires heavy deep-water bottom-fishing tactics from a stationary or drifting boat positioned over muddy or sandy slopes far offshore. Because these fish inhabit deep waters down to hundreds of metres, anglers must use robust tackle equipped with heavy leads to hold bottom against strong marine currents. Presentation relies on natural baits such as strips of oily fish or squid presented close to the seabed where these predators forage for crustaceans and small fish. Fishing during calmer winter and spring months often yields better results when adult fish congregate along deeper continental slopes.

Other names for Greater forkbeard

Local and alternate names anglers use for Greater forkbeard.

  • Greater fork-beard
  • Greater forkbeard
  • Greater fork beard
  • Grater forkbeard
  • Forked hake
  • Beard

Best equipment to catch Greater forkbeard

Compare fishing methods for Greater forkbeard — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.8 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Greater forkbeard

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Greater forkbeard migrates — Oceanodromous

Migrates within the sea between spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, and never enters fresh water. Follow its seasonal shifts along the coast and offshore.

How Greater forkbeard migrates — Oceanodromous 1. Eggs: Laid on the spawning grounds. 2. Larvae: Drift with the currents to the nursery grounds. 3. Juveniles: Grow up in sheltered nursery waters. 4. Adults: Range widely over the feeding grounds. 5. Spawners: Return to the spawning grounds each season.
Spawning grounds Nursery grounds Feeding grounds

1 Eggs

Spawning grounds

Laid on the spawning grounds.

2 Larvae

→ Nursery grounds

Drift with the currents to the nursery grounds.

3 Juveniles

Nursery grounds

Grow up in sheltered nursery waters.

4 Adults

Feeding grounds

Range widely over the feeding grounds.

5 Spawners

→ Spawning grounds

Return to the spawning grounds each season.

It stays in the sea and never runs up into fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Greater forkbeard

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Night

  • Feeds over

    Soft bottom

  • Main prey

    Baitfish

Prey and predators of Greater forkbeard

Prey is what Greater forkbeard 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

  • Merluccius merluccius juv./adults
  • Trachurus mediterraneus juv./adults

Where Greater forkbeard lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
10–1,351 m
Usually 100–450 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives