Pleuronectes platessa - Plaice
Young plaice live close to the shore for the first three
or four years of their lives, and then they move out to deeper water.
Specimen plaice are generally caught in water of 10 to 50 metres depth and
occasionally much deeper. They are particularly fond of mussel beds.
The bright orange or red spots on the brown 'eyed' side of
a plaice are a distinguishing feature (not visible in the picture above);
the underside of the plaice is white, as with other 'flatties', and only
occasionally is the underside marked with dark blotches. The scales are
smooth, unlike those of a flounder, which are rough.
Plaice reach maturity typically when they are between four
and six years old. They spawn during the winter and can live for up to 20
years, by which time a plaice can weigh more than 3 kg (7 lb). A plaice of
just over 7 lb (approx. 3 kg) was caught from the shore at Deganwy, in
north Wales, in 1983 and this fish holds the Welsh rod-caught record.
When fishing for plaice, a moving bait is generally better
than a static one, and adding a bright bead or spoon to the trace adds
attraction. Worms, razorfish and mussel are very effective baits for
plaice, and light tackle is practicable when fishing inshore sandbanks.
When fishing from a boat, plaice are most likely to be caught on the drift
rather than legering.
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