Garfish
Garfish show up along the Dutch North Sea coast each spring and early summer, following baitfish inshore as water temperatures climb. They're a secondary target for coastal anglers — not the main event, but a welcome surprise on light tackle.
Their speed and acrobatics when hooked make them a favourite among shore and pier anglers working the surf and tidal zones.
Scientific Name: Belone belone
Also known as Geep, Hornvis, Naaldvis, Garpike, Sea needle
- Extremely elongated body, blue-green on the back with a bright silver-white belly — unmistakable in the water.
- Both jaws extend into a long, needle-like beak lined with small sharp teeth; no other North Sea fish looks quite like it.
- Fins are set far back toward the tail, giving the fish a flexible, almost eel-like swimming motion at speed.
- Typical fish run 40–60 cm; larger specimens can reach 75 cm. Bones are bright green — harmless but startling the first time you see it.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A native marine and brackish-water species in the North Sea; naturally present along the Dutch coast without any introduction.
- Pelagic and surface-oriented — garfish spend most of their time in the upper water column, often visible skipping at the surface.
- Moves inshore in spring and early summer to spawn in shallow coastal and tidal areas; documented in the tidal zone at Neeltje Jans on the North Sea coast.
- Also enters brackish estuarine areas; the Dutch delta and coastal inlets see fish during the warmer months.
Key Locations
- Neeltje Jans (Zeeland, North Sea coast) — documented garfish presence in the tidal zone during spring spawning migration.
- The Dutch North Sea coastline generally — garfish are a regular seasonal catch along piers, beaches, and harbour walls from spring through summer.
- The Rotterdam Port area and surrounding coastal waters — noted as a productive stretch for multiple saltwater species including garfish.
- The Zeeland delta and coastal inlets — brackish tidal areas that garfish enter during the warmer months.
Specific Spots
- Tidal rock zones and shallow rockpools along the North Sea coast — garfish push into very shallow water when spawning, as seen at Neeltje Jans.
- Pier and harbour edges where baitfish schools concentrate near the surface; garfish follow the food up into these confined areas.
- Current lines and tide rips off the coast where small fish and sand eels get pushed together — garfish work these edges actively.
- Open surf and nearshore water column, fished just below the surface rather than on the bottom.
Garfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Garfish?
Small, slim silver spinners and spoons (4–8 g) retrieved fast near the surface are the most reliable lures, they match the sand eels and sprats garfish chase. A strip of fresh mackerel or sand eel on a long-shank hook under a small float is a proven bait rig from piers and harbour walls.
What flies work for Garfish?
Slim, silver Clouser Minnows (which imitate small baitfish like sand eels) retrieved fast and shallow are the most direct fly choice for garfish. Deceiver-style streamers in white and silver, fished on a floating line with a quick, stripping retrieve, work well when fish are visibly active near the surface.
When is the best time to fish for Garfish?
Spring (April–May): garfish begin arriving inshore along the North Sea coast as sea temperatures rise; fishing picks up quickly once fish are present. Early summer (June–July): peak season, with fish in shallow tidal and coastal areas for spawning; the most reliable window for shore anglers.
How do you catch Garfish?
Most Dutch anglers target garfish from piers, harbour walls, and rocky shore marks using light spinning gear or float rigs fished near the surface. Spotting fish visually before casting is common on calm days, and a fast retrieve is key, garfish lose interest in a slow-moving lure quickly.
What do Garfish eat?
Garfish feed primarily on small fish, sand eels, sprats, and juvenile herring, striking fast at the surface. Slim silver lures, small spinners, and thin jigs that mimic these baitfish are the go-to choices. They also take small crustaceans and marine invertebrates.
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