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One
of many pristine fishing beaches waiting to be explored by visiting
surf fishermen
The popularity of surfcasting
with visiting holidaymakers and anglers is growing. Every year, I
entertain more and more questions on this subject, as disgruntled
anglers complain that fewer fish are available, and only to those who
can hit a lead to the moon.
Good news is that you don't have to be a
professional surfcaster to get to the fish in Finistère,
Brittany. The average angler can cast to where the fish are
congregating on most beaches. Bait is also readily available, so
visitors can gather all manner of lug and ragworms, gastropods, and
crustaceans on one of many estuaries and harbours which dot the
coastal waterways of Finistère. During the year you can also
stock up on cuttlefish and squid too. So if you want to fish with it,
be sure to bring your bait fork, spade, suction device, and bucket
with you. French tackle shops don't normally stock sea worms or
peeler crab.

Sam's
friend, Vincent, waiting for his next
sea
bass, gilthead bream or black sea bream
Surfcasting equipment consisting of
long rods and suitable (spinning or multiplier) reels packed with
good abrasion resistant monofilament are by far the best way to
tackle up for any beach bruiser. Passionate gilthead sea bream
angler, Vincent, (pictured above) normally looks for rocky areas
situated away from the main shore with interconnecting sandy
stretches where he believes the sea bream are likely to congregate.
He loves the sliding ledger rig (with hook length of about a metre
long) baited with soft shell clams which are difficult to find unless
you know what siphon hole to look for in the low tide zone. I like to
fish as light as possible, so for my second rod, I normally opt for
my Harrison 12 foot pike rod (3lb test curve) which is perfect for
shorter casts and more sensitive bites. A tripod is also a must on
these rocky outcrops by keeping rods stable and reels out of the
incoming tide.

This
sea bream fell to a cuttlefish and crab cocktail
on a
rolling ledger rig
Surf species range from the usual
suspects, i.e. sea bass, black bream, and gilthead bream (if lady
luck is smiling on you on the day). However, in the summer you can
bump baits with wrasse, triggerfish, gurnard, and some very big
mullet. Big mullet, especially the thin lipped, grey variety, inhabit
harbours, lagoons, coves, and boat ramps, and will readily take bread
or similar simple baits. If you want to catch your first specimen in
Brittany, you may opt to go for what many locals call the Breton bonefish.
See pic below.

Local angler holding a
beautiful grey mullet
of around 8 or more
pounds which was caught
on a float rig and bread
flake in dead
calm conditions
Surf fishing
venues are varied and abundant
in Brittany. I have taken some photos of a few coastal marks
which will not only whet the appetite, but hopefully show the
visiting angler that you can catch your favourite sea specie over
many different types of terrain.
|

Rocky finger-like
outcrops on a sandy beach are
great places from
which to surf cast |

Long outcrops like this
one in the background
provide good surf casting opportunities |
|

If sand isn't your
favourite surface, try a concrete
jetty... |

...or a jetty base for
those who want to be closer to the action |

Some estuaries like the
one shown above
host great surf casting
opportunities too!
Leave and fish again another day!
When fishing rocky points or sand bars far from the main shore,
please make sure that you plan a good route back to safe higher
ground before arriving at your mark because the water may fill the
swim quite quickly. Arrive at your mark before low tide and map out
how far the water has receded, then determine via landmarks how much
was can return before you must leave. If you are a weak swimmer or
cannot swim, I recommend that you wear a tubular life vest (as worn
by loch-style trout anglers) which can inflate automatically or
manually via a lanyard located on the vest. With strong Breton tides
it is always best to be safe to fish again another day.
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