Sea bass (sea bass - sea bass, lat. Dicentrarchus labrax) is a popular sea fish that belongs to the large family of sea bass. It is characterized by white, dense meat, which has a slight sweetish aftertaste.
This product contains many valuable components, and therefore brings great benefits to the body. Sea bass can be prepared in different ways - boiled, baked or fried.
Sea bass from the oven - a delicacy for adults and children
Sea bass or sea bass - what kind of fish is it?
Sea bass is considered a marine predator. It has many names - common laurel, sea bream, lubina, koykan, spigola, ranyo, sea bass, branzino. It is often called sea bass or sea bass. The abundance of names is due to the wide distribution of fish. It is called differently in each country.
The common sea bass is characterized by an elongated body and a powerful skeleton. At the same time, it has a minimum of bones. The abdomen is light in color with silvery areas on the sides. The back is decorated with 2 fins. At the same time, there are spikes on the front.
This fish is characterized by large scales. It grows up to 50 cm in length. The maximum weight is 12 kg. The common sea bass lives about 15 years. However, there are also long-livers. Their age reaches 30 years.
The Chilean variety of sea bass is gray or brown in color. It depends on where the fish lives. There are sharp fins on its back. You can meet such a sea wolf only at depth - in cool places.
Sea wolf in all its glory
Classification
There are 2 main varieties of sea bass:
- Common - lives on the east coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by an elongated body. There are large silvery scales on the back and sides. Sometimes the back has a greenish color. In this case, the abdomen has the usual light shade. The back of the laurel is complemented by 2 fins, and the front one is complemented by spines. There are also spikes on the head. The fish has almost no bones, but it has an extremely strong skeleton. On average, this type of sea bass reaches 50 cm.
- Chilean sea bass - it is also called black. The second name is associated with the color of the scales - they have a dark shade. The Chilean sea bass differs from the common sea bass in the presence of spines on all fins.
Difference from similar fish
In appearance, sea bass somewhat resembles sea bass. To distinguish it, you should pay attention to the white belly and silvery sides. In addition, the sea wolf is characterized by pink gills and black spots on its back. Another feature of the laurel is the presence of an even black stripe, which is located along the body.
Description of the fish
Sea bass belongs to the Moronov family and is a marine predator.
This fish has several names:
- sea bass,
- sea wolf,
- koykan,
- sea bass,
- branzino,
- common laurel,
- spigola,
- sea bass
The presence of such a large number of names is due, first of all, to the fact that this fish is widespread everywhere, and residents of different countries call sea bass differently.
However, its wide distribution does not mean that sea bass is present in abundance. Thus, in some countries the fishing of sea wolf is prohibited due to its inclusion in the Red Book.
Therefore, most often sea bass sold in markets or stores is a fish that is artificially bred in special reservoirs with sea water.
Kinds
It is customary to distinguish two types of sea bass:
- ordinary. It lives off the east coast of the Atlantic.
- Chilean (or black). It lives off the western coast of the Atlantic, as well as in the Black and Mediterranean seas.
Appearance
The common sea bass has an elongated body, a strong skeleton, and not many bones.
Its belly is light in color, with silvery areas on the sides. Two fins are present on the back, with the front one equipped with spines. This fish has quite large scales.
As a rule, an ordinary sea bass grows in length, on average, about half a meter, and its weight can reach a maximum of twelve kilograms. Its life expectancy is on average 15 years, although there are also centenarians whose age is estimated at about 30 years.
Chilean sea bass, found off the western shores of the Atlantic, is dark in color, ranging from gray to brown. It depends on what kind of water it lives in. This fish has sharp fins on its back and prefers to stay at depths where it is cool.
Habitat
As already noted, sea bass can be found both in the west and in the east of the Atlantic.
It can also be found, in particular:
- in the Black and Mediterranean Seas.
- in the waters of Norway, as well as the African continent, for example, Morocco and Senegal.
- in artificial reservoirs of European countries, for example: Italy, Spain, and France.
The sea wolf mainly stays near the coast, in river mouths, and also in shallow reservoirs. Especially sea bass can make active migrations.
Features of behavior
This fish is active at night, and during the day it stays mainly near the bottom. Sea bass can stay both at depth and swim on the surface.
By nature, the sea wolf is a predatory fish. Such a hunter can sit in ambush for a long time and stalk the victim, and then suddenly attack. When a sea bass captures prey with its large mouth, it swallows it.
Spawning
Individuals of the sea wolf become sexually mature at an average age of 2 to 4 years (for fish living in the Atlantic Ocean, this age is higher - four to seven years).
Spawning occurs mainly in winter; in spring, sea bass spawning occurs only in the southern regions.
The water temperature for spawning should not be lower than 12-14 degrees.
Young sea wolves, as a rule, stay in schools. After the young sea bass have gained weight, they leave the schools, and the sea wolves begin to gain weight, starting to get their own food.
Diet
As noted earlier, sea bass is a predatory fish. The sea wolf prefers as food:
- small fish
- shellfish,
- shrimp,
- crabs,
- sea worms.
Sea bass also love to eat sardines. In the summer, because of this prey, they can make long journeys to sardine habitats.
Artificial breeding
Sea bass is actively bred in the reservoirs of many European countries because of its tasty and healthy meat. At the same time, the carcasses of artificially grown sea bass are usually fattier, weighing within half a kilogram. The cost of sea bass, which has been artificially grown, is cheaper than a week of wild fish.
Where are sea bass found?
Bay laurel is found in many bodies of water. He lives in Norway and Morocco. The fish also lives in the reservoirs of Senegal. It is also found in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. In addition, fish are caught in the Atlantic Ocean. It is often bred on farms. This is especially common in Italy, France, and Spain.
Note! Artificially produced fish are considered less valuable than those that live in the sea. However, this is the only option to preserve its population.
The sea wolf usually lives near the coast. Sometimes it lives in river mouths or shallow bodies of water. The fish is characterized by high activity. Therefore, it can change its habitat, moving between seas. Sea bass are not tied to depth. This fish is found at the bottom or on the surface of reservoirs.
Lifestyle
This fish is most active at night. During the day it concentrates on the depths. By nature, sea bass is considered a predator. He can lie in ambush for a long time and watch the victim, and then suddenly attacks it. Sea bass has a fairly large mouth. Therefore, it is not difficult for him to capture and swallow prey.
Spawning features
Lavrak reaches sexual maturity by 2-4 years. Fish that live in the Atlantic Ocean are characterized by slower development. Males are ready to breed at 4-7 years of age. At the same time, in females, sexual maturity occurs only at 5-8 years.
Sea bass spawns in winter. However, in southern regions this may occur in spring or summer. These places experience a lot of rainfall. This activates the breeding process of bay laurel.
Sea wolf has fatty eggs that have a smooth surface and do not stick to each other. The female deposits them in burrows hidden under plants and snags. Most often this happens in small places. At the same time, males protect the clutch and provide care for the offspring.
3 days after laying, larvae appear, which eventually grow into fry. In most cases, the number of males and females is the same.
Nutrition
Sea bass's main source of nutrition is considered to be marine crustaceans. The fish also eats shellfish, crabs, small fish, and shrimp. By nature, the sea wolf is a predator. Therefore, he can remain in ambush for a long time, and then suddenly attack. Young fish live in schools. As they gain weight, they leave the pack and begin to hunt on their own.
Sardines are considered a favorite delicacy of bay laurel. For the sake of this prey, with the arrival of summer, they are able to make a long journey to its habitats.
Fishing Features
Experienced fishermen love to catch sea bass; this predatory fish is characterized by high speed and great activity.
Where to find a predator
The best option for hunting sea bass is the tidal zone. Fish come to these places for food. It is best to give preference to areas with a rocky bottom. However, a sandy bottom is also considered an acceptable option.
Catching laurel is an exciting activity
Tackle
For fishing to be successful, it is necessary to take into account the characteristic features of the sea wolf. When choosing a fishing rod, you should give preference to a model that is intended for use in salt water bodies. The reel should be the same.
As for the cords, various options are acceptable - sinking or floating. When choosing baits, it is better to give preference to wobblers. They serve as an imitation of sea bass’s favorite delicacy – sardines.
No less successful options are baits that imitate mullet or mackerel. It is important to select the shade of wobblers depending on the time of day. In the morning it is worth using bright baits. As evening approaches, it is recommended to give preference to darker tones. At dawn, yellow wobblers are the ideal solution. In this case, the outlines of the bait should resemble real fish.
Wobbler Tsuyoki IDOL - a favorite delicacy of sea bass
How to catch
In most cases, spinning and fly fishing are used to catch sea bass. In the first case, it is recommended to use wobblers and silver spoons as bait. Imitation of mackerel or eels works well. It is recommended to supplement the rod with a spinning reel. You will also need a multiplier. The optimal spinning rod size is 3.3 meters.
This tackle is recommended for catching sea wolf from rocks. Sea bass swims to these places to eat small fish. Therefore, it is usually not necessary to cast the bait far.
For fly fishing, it is recommended to use voluminous baits that resemble the outline of a fish. At night you should use black and purple baits, in the morning - blue, red or white. At noon, sea bass should be caught with white baits, and at dawn, use white-yellow or silver products.
When choosing a fishing rod, you should give preference to a 7-8 class device, which is intended for fishing in salt waters.
Lure
For bait, it is permissible to use fragments of small fish or crustaceans - crabs or shrimp. To prepare the mixture, you should make minced meat and add aromatic ingredients to it. The ideal option would be fish juice. It is best to use sardines for this.
The resulting composition must be placed in a feeder. When it gets into the water, its contents will gradually wash out, releasing an aroma that is attractive to sea bass. To lower the feeder to the bottom, it is recommended to equip it with a sinker.
Sea bass fishing in Cyprus:
Fishing methods for amateur fishermen
Before catching sea bass, it is important to study its lifestyle, habits, and eating habits. To get a good catch, you need to consider a few tricks:
- fish bite better in windy weather;
- daytime fishing is productive when it’s cool and cloudy outside;
- during high tide, individuals are located near the coastal zone;
- the bottom of the reservoir should be stone or sand;
- The optimal water temperature is 15 degrees.
There are two ways to catch sea wolf - fly fishing or using a spinning rod. Each method has its own characteristics, pros and cons.
Sea bass caught on a spinning rod
Spinning fishing:
- Use artificial bait, such as silver spoons and small fish. Of the latter, they prefer imitation mackerel or eel.
- Install a spinning reel;
- The optimal fishing location is a small cliff or rock. During high tide, a large number of fish wash there;
- recommended for night hunting.
Fly fishing:
- The bait is artificial, using wobblers reminiscent of sardines or mackerel.
- The color scheme of the nozzles depends on the time of day. At night, a combination of red and black is suitable; closer to the morning, silver, light and yellow shades. During the day it is better to use red, white or blue baits.
- They use special fly fishing gear for fishing in salt waters (grade 7-8).
Fish can also be caught using fly fishing gear
The benefits and harms of sea bass, calorie content
Sea wolf meat is considered a dietary product. 100 grams of fish fillet contains only 82 kcal. It contains many vitamins and minerals. Lavrak includes vitamins B, A, PP. It also contains calcium, cobalt, and phosphorus.
The product is considered extremely healthy due to its high content of unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. They help avoid the development of malignant tumors, prevent pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, and relieve inflammation. This product also helps reduce cholesterol and cleanses the body of waste and toxins.
100 grams of fish fillet includes 16 grams of protein components. They are easily digestible. In addition, during the digestion of this product, fewer toxins are produced than when eating pork or beef.
Tasty and healthy fillet
Sea wolf meat can be used in the preparation of a diet. It contains a minimum of calories. It is easily digestible and at the same time provides a long-lasting feeling of satiety.
Fish that has grown in natural conditions is considered more useful than artificial fish. Individuals that were raised on a farm are fattier. In addition, their meat often contains hazardous substances. This is due to the vaccination of fish against diseases and parasites. That’s why sea bass raised in the wild are more expensive.
When used correctly, sea bass does not pose a danger to people. However, it has certain contraindications for consumption. The main limitation to the use of the product is the presence of allergies. However, it occurs quite rarely.
How to cook delicious sea wolf - recipes and tips
This fish is often used in cooking. It can be boiled, stewed or fried. Dietary options include steaming and baking in the oven. Any type of heat treatment allows you to get a tasty and appetizing dish.
Sea bass on a charcoal grill - video recipe:
Most often, sea bass is baked with various spices. Sometimes a large amount of salt is used for this. Culinary experts advise preparing such dishes in foil. This will help keep the fish as juicy as possible.
To get a tasty product, you should put the fish in the oven for a quarter of an hour. It is recommended to bake it at a temperature of 190 degrees. Then you need to remove the foil and keep the fish in the oven for a little longer. This technique will help give it a beautiful golden crust.
To prepare a tasty and healthy dish that will saturate the body with valuable substances, it is recommended to combine sea bass with various vegetables. This fish goes best with potatoes, tomatoes, onions and garlic.
Aromatic herbs - mint, rosemary, thyme, dill - will be excellent additions to it. For spices, you can use cumin or turmeric. Citrus juices and mustard dressing will be harmonious additions to the fish.
Recipe for cooking sea bass in the oven with salt:
When serving sea bass, you can use lemon slices. This product also goes well with tartar sauce. To make a flavorful dressing, it is recommended to mix garlic, sour cream and pickled cucumbers.
Regardless of the recipe chosen, the fish must first be cleaned. This procedure is considered quite labor-intensive and has certain features. In order not to stain the entire kitchen, it is best to carry out all manipulations in the sink. A mandatory step is the removal of the intestinal vein. If you neglect this procedure, the finished dish may have a bitter aftertaste.
How to deliciously cook sea bass in a frying pan:
Sea bass is considered a very valuable fish, the meat of which contains many useful components. It is found in water bodies of many countries around the world. Fish is also grown in farms. Every fisherman dreams of catching a sea wolf. To do this, it is important to take into account many nuances and choose the right fishing gear.
Fishing for sea wolf
As a rule, sea wolf is caught in two ways:
- using a spinning rod,
- fly fishing.
Let's look at these methods in more detail.
Spinning fishing
Silver-colored spinners or sinking and floating artificial fish are perfect baits for a spinning rod when fishing for sea bass. The sea wolf also bites very well on a dummy mackerel or sand eel.
The rod itself must be equipped with a spinning reel, as well as a small multiplier. The length of the spinning rod when fishing for sea bass should be within 3-3.3 meters.
Fishing is best done from a steep bank, where sea bass can swim up in search of small fish. There is no need to make long casts.
Fly fishing
In this case, it is necessary to use fairly voluminous baits that resemble a fish silhouette. If you fish at night, give preference to black and red baits. Light, yellow, white and silver baits are suitable when fishing at dawn, and in the morning use red, blue or white baits.
During the day, fishermen recommend using white baits for fly fishing when catching sea bass.
At the same time, you need to have a seventh-eighth class fishing rod, which is also specially made for fishing in salt water.
