Garfish

Identification

The garfish is unmistakable: a long, slender body with a beak-like snout full of small teeth. The back is dark blue to green, the flanks silvery. The most remarkable feature is the green bones — unique among North Sea fish, caused by the pigment biliverdin. Garfish reach up to 1 meter and are excellent swimmers with a serpentine motion.

Behavior & ecology

The garfish is a surface fish that hunts in schools for small fish and shrimp. It swims just below the surface and makes spectacular leaps when hooked. Garfish migrate towards the coast in spring to spawn, following warmer currents. They are aggressive hunters that strike at lightning speed on anything that moves.

Fishing techniques

Garfish fishing is sporty and spectacular due to the wild fights:

• Float fishing: A waggler or bubble float with a strip of fish or shrimp, presented just below the surface. The garfish strikes hard.
• Spin fishing: Small, narrow spoons or bombarda setups with a small fly.
• Bombarda: A floating bombarda with a long leader and small bait — the most popular method for garfish.

In the Netherlands

Garfish appear from April-May along the Dutch coast and stay until autumn. Popular catch locations include the Zeeland coast, harbours, and piers along the North Sea. Garfish is excellent eating despite the green bone colour — the flesh is white and flavourful. Many sport anglers specifically target garfish for the spectacular fights.