Brill
Brill is a flatfish of the North Sea, caught by Dutch sea anglers fishing sandy and muddy offshore grounds. Less common than plaice or sole in the Dutch catch, it turns up as a genuine bonus fish when targeting the bottom over deeper offshore banks.
Processors at Urk handle commercial quantities, which tells you brill moves through Dutch waters in meaningful numbers — but rod-and-line fish are a real find.
Scientific Name: Scophthalmus rhombus
Also known as Griet
- Left-eyed flatfish with an oval outline — broader than a sole but less diamond-shaped than a turbot; brown on top with irregular light and dark flecks, creamy-white underside.
- Key ID feature: the front section of the dorsal fin has free, unconnected rays that give the fin edge a distinctly frilly look — absent on turbot.
- Body covered in small smooth scales (no bony knobs), unlike the turbot's rough, tubercle-covered skin.
- Typical rod-caught fish run 1–2 kg; specimens above 4 kg are uncommon, and the species can reach 75 cm and 8 kg at the top end.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the northeast Atlantic; present in the North Sea along the Dutch coast and offshore banks as part of its natural range.
- Favours sandy or muddy seabeds, typically between 5 and 50 metres, though it can go deeper; rarely found in very shallow nearshore surf.
- Shares the same offshore sandbank habitat as turbot and plaice, and the two species are closely related — hybrids occur where their ranges overlap.
- Commercial landings through Urk confirm a consistent presence in Dutch North Sea waters year-round.
Key Locations
- Offshore sandbanks in the southern North Sea, accessible from ports along the Dutch coast, are the main grounds where brill turn up alongside turbot and plaice.
- Urk is a major commercial flatfish landing port, reflecting the concentration of brill in the adjacent North Sea grounds.
Specific Spots
- Offshore sandbanks and sandy ridges are the prime holding areas — brill lie flat and blend into the bottom, waiting for prey to pass over the crest.
- Muddy depressions adjacent to sand edges concentrate brill, especially where tidal current slows and small fish or crustaceans accumulate.
- Depth transitions around 20–50 m are worth targeting; brill move shallower on feeding tides and drop back to deeper water when light is high.
Brill FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Brill?
Fresh or frozen sandeel, whole or as a long strip, is the standout bait; rig it on a flowing trace so it flutters rather than lying dead on the bottom. Mackerel belly strip and sprat work well as cut bait; ragworm and lugworm are useful secondary options when fish bait is unavailable.
When is the best time to fish for Brill?
Brill can be caught year-round in Dutch waters, but catches improve noticeably from late spring through autumn. Summer and early autumn, roughly June through November, produce the most consistent results as fish feed actively in warmer water.
How do you catch Brill?
Dutch anglers target brill from charter or private boats over offshore sandbanks, fishing a flowing trace or running leger hard on the bottom. Drifting with the tide across sandy ground while presenting sandeel or mackerel strip is the standard approach.
What do Brill eat?
Small fish are the main food, sandeels and sprats are top targets, so long sandeel-strip baits or whole small sprats fished on a flowing trace are the most direct imitation.
Where do Brill live?
Native to the northeast Atlantic; present in the North Sea along the Dutch coast and offshore banks as part of its natural range. Favours sandy or muddy seabeds, typically between 5 and 50 metres, though it can go deeper; rarely found in very shallow nearshore surf.
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