In this paper the catch efficiency of an 8 m beam trawl with 8 tickler chains, designed for sampling sandy and muddy grounds, is compared with a similar trawl equipped with a flip-up rope, that can be employed in more stony areas. It is shown that the beam trawl with the flip-up rope has a significant lower catch rate for sole, (Solea solea), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), dab (Limanda limanda), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus), but not for cod (Gadus morhua). The effect of fish size on catch efficiency was tested for plaice, sole, dab and whiting. In sole, plaice and whiting the flip-up especially reduced the catch efficiency for the smaller fish. |