Where can I catch Sand Eel in the UK?

Widespread in sandy coastal areas around the UK.

What tackle do I need to catch Sand Eel?

Most juniors catch Sand Eel on straightforward float or feeder setups with balanced line and hook sizes and a small landing net.

What bait works well for Sand Eel?

Natural baits such as maggots, worms or bread often work well for Sand Eel.

Sand Eel species guide • Sea fish • Very easy (2/10)

Sand Eel junior fishing guide

Ammodytes species

A clear, plain-English guide to sand eel for parents, coaches and juniors. See where they live, the best starter tackle, simple bait choices and a three-step plan to help young anglers catch their first one safely.

🎣 View starter tackle setups 📋 Log a Sand Eel catch

Junior-first & welfare-aware • 3-step beginner plan • UK venues & seasons

Skill & size • Seasons • Beginner baits

Skill level

Very easy (2/10)

Perfect for first-ever fishing trips with young juniors.

Best time

Spring–Autumn

Pick mild, settled days for junior sessions.

Typical size

10–20 cm.

Always match hooks, nets & lines to expected fish size.

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Beginner baits

Maggots, worms, bread

Keep it simple — small hook baits, little-and-often feeding.

Typical venues: Clean sandy beaches and sandbanks.

Scroll down for detailed tackle setups, methods and parent-friendly guidance.

Catch your first sand eel with confidence

Catch your first Sand Eel in 3 steps

A simple, repeatable plan juniors can follow with help from a parent, coach or older angler.

Step 1

Explain they are better as bait

Sand Eels are key prey fish for many predators. Juniors will mainly encounter them as bait or bycatch rather than a dedicated target.
Step 2

Catch with small feathers or scoop nets

If present in shoals, they can be caught on micro-feather rigs from piers, or scooped in small nets in the shallows.
Step 3

Use them to talk about food chains

Use Sand Eels to explain how mackerel, bass and seabirds rely on them. Release unwanted fish carefully or keep a small number for bait where rules allow.

Tackle setups that work

Designed with juniors and fish welfare in mind. Start with an IDEAL or GOOD setup for easier casting and safe unhooking.

We don’t have tackle recommendations for this species yet. Ask your club coach for a simple, junior-friendly rig and check back soon.

About the Sand Eel

Sand Eels are slim, silvery fish that burrow into sand. They are vital prey for many predators and often used as dead or live bait.

Junior tip

Use sand eels mainly as bait rather than a target species. They are excellent for teaching food-chain links in the sea.

Logged a Sand Eel recently?

Add a catch report so juniors can see where they’re being caught, which baits work and how your tackle was set up.

Submit a catch report

Want to discover more species? Browse the full species guide.

← Back to all species

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For parents & carers

Use this page to quickly judge if Sand Eel are a good match for your child’s confidence and ability.

● Clear guidance on safe handling, landing nets and unhooking.
● Beginner tackle that’s lightweight and manageable for juniors.
● Written in plain language so non-angling parents can still support on the bank.

At a glance

Family: Ammodytidae
Feeding zone: Midwater / Buried in sand.
Diet: Zooplankton and small seabed organisms.
Typical size: 10–20 cm.
Best season: Spring to autumn.
Conservation: Important forage fish; heavily preyed upon by larger fish, birds and mammals.
UK distribution: Widespread in sandy coastal areas around the UK.

Typical venues

Look for sand eel in:

Clean sandy beaches and sandbanks.

Conservation & care

Important forage fish; heavily preyed upon by larger fish, birds and mammals.