Pandora live over sand, gravel and rough ground, from close to the coast out across the continental shelf, through the Mediterranean and along the eastern Atlantic. They feed on worms, small crabs, shellfish and little fish. Like several of their bream relatives they change sex as they grow, starting out as females. A decent one on light tackle gives a lively, head-shaking fight, and the firm white flesh makes it a valued table fish in Spain.
Our one boat for it is Pesca a fondo, which sails from Cádiz at 09:00 on a private four hour trip for up to 6. The name means bottom fishing, and the captain describes a family day with plenty of bites and plenty of fish, which is where pandora fit: a baited rig on the seabed, a small hook and a rod tip to watch. The boat's list also has jigging, live baiting and trolling, and bigger fish such as amberjack, bonito and bluefin tuna. Quality tackle is supplied and the crew guides anglers of every level.
Tell the captain at the start if you would like to keep a few for dinner. With children on board, a morning of bottom fishing for pandora and other bream keeps everyone busy. More boats on this coast are on the Cádiz page, and gilt-head bream in Spain covers its larger cousin.
Questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask before they book. Anything else, ask the captain in chat.
How do you catch common pandora on the Cádiz boat?
By bottom fishing with bait on small hooks over sand and rough ground. Pesca a fondo runs a private four hour trip from 09:00 for up to 6, and the captain supplies the tackle and guides beginners.
Is common pandora good to eat?
Yes. Pandora is a sea bream with firm white flesh, valued as a table fish in Spain and around the Mediterranean. Ask the Cádiz captain at the start of the trip about keeping some of your catch.