Corkwing Wrasse

Corkwing wrasse are one of the smaller wrasse species that inhabit our shores, seldom growing to more than 8”-9”. The colouration of this species vary greatly, but are generally green to greenish brown. The males though are generally more colourful with blue/green curved lines running across their heads. 

Like all wrasse species, the corkwing wrasse likes rocky, weed strewn areas in which to live and forage. They like shallow water and areas that are reasonably sheltered, so look for them around harbours, marinas and large rockpools. Like their larger relatives the ballan wrasse, the diet of the corkwing wrasse consists mainly of crustaceans and molluscs, although they will regularly feed on aquatic worms and small fish too.

Although lots of anglers catch these fish using baits such as ragworm and strips of mackerel, lure fishing for them is a very successful method in which you can cover lots of ground. The number one lures to use are the ever popular scented worm baits, such as the Marukyu Isome or the Berkeley Gulp sandworm. These can be rigged in a number of ways, but my favourite way to fish them is with the split shot rig, threading the worm onto the hook, although you can rig them wacky style.