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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. 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.   © 2011 Fishinista.com (all rights reserved)