Of the fish found in the Mediterranean Sea, French anglers value sea bass the most (sea bass) . French specialist in catching these extremely brave fish from the grouper family, will reveal to us, how to get them to take.
Only few species of fish arouse as much emotion in anglers as sea bass from the Mediterranean Sea. Catching this fish is much more difficult than catching a closely related moron that lives in the open waters of the Atlantic. Sea bass is found along the entire length of the French Mediterranean coast. Endless sandy beaches are in direct contact with the sea and only at the height of Cote d'Azur and the border with Spain the area becomes more rocky.
Lakes with salt water are adjacent to most of the beaches, narrow canals connecting to the sea (the so-called. "degrees"). These canals are one of the best sea bass fishing grounds, as well as the mouths of the rivers (Rhóne, Vidourle, Herault, Aude in). Labraksy (sea bass) they flow into canals and rivers at strictly defined times to have a real orgy of gluttony. The angler accidentally soaking the lure in the water gets discouraged very quickly, especially when he fails to catch a single fish for days or weeks. Even very experienced colleagues return from a random trip on stick-on sea bass. You must be incredibly lucky, to catch this attractive angler fish during the day. The most important factor for success is the right time to start your hunt. The canals and estuaries are quiet only at night. It's safe to say, that the day belongs to tourists and sunbathers, while the night goes to anglers and fish. Sea bass are approaching the coast and are beginning to feed. Fish, who have spent all day in salt water also wake up from Lethyragus and go hunting.
The best fishing spots
As already mentioned, the best fishing grounds for sea bass are "graus" and river mouths. Some of the harbors and canals that connect the individual saltwater lakes are also almost as attractive. Specific places, in which a bite is to be expected at any time, following a very simple rule – everything that inhibits the water current in some way in a quiet fishery (backflow hindrances, sluices, piled or pontoon bridges, boat wrecks etc.), it also attracts large amounts of general cargo, followed by sea bass. Southern winds are very favorable, when the sea is rough, and the turbid water by the coast is being pushed far into the channels. Sea bass then approach the coasts and flow en masse into saltwater lakes. Brutally pushed by huge waves, general cargo, whether it likes it or not, goes exactly the same way. The northern winds pushing the water out cause the fish in the lakes to run back to the sea. The sea bass then wait for the scared and easy prey near the mouths of the sewers. In such, unfortunately, quite rare moments, sea bass is taken like crazy, even during the day. Anglers, who are then just by the water, set new records, not only in terms of quantity, but also qualitative.
There are two particularly favorable seasons for sea bass.
In March and April, these predators gather in calm water and rest after spawning. September and October are the best months in autumn, when sea bass is feeding very intensively before the upcoming winter. Of course, these fish can be caught all year round with varying degrees of success, preferably for a soft stick and a float set.
Equipment is used to catch sea bass from the coast and in channels, which more closely resembles a freshwater angler gear, than sea. They are essential: lightweight carbon rod with a length from 4,5 do 5 meters, stationary reel with two spare spools (vein 0,30 mm for large fish, vein 0,26 mm for medium-sized fish and line 0,22 mm for small or very careful sea bass); 200-a meter of fishing line is quite sufficient; a few illuminated floats (with battery or skylight) displacement from 5 do 15 grams depending on the strength of the water current; clamping bar weights of different sizes made of soft lead; several snap hooks with safety pins for quickly changing the leader in the dark, stock of simple thin wire hooks (no 2-6); several 25m spools with leader line (diameter from 0,20 do 0,30 mm); head-mounted flashlight, portable cooler for storing baits.
Catching prawns
One of the best baits for sea bass is shrimp. You catch them with a landing net, at night under the light of a flashlight. Look for tiny crustaceans for bait under rocks near a pier or under algae-covered hulls. Live shrimp can also be purchased at some seaside fishing stores. This bait is only hunted then, while she is alive. Dead shrimps lose their attractive color and are completely unsuitable for sea bass.
The shrimp is placed on a hook on the shell on its back or on its tail. The size of the hook depends on the size of the bait. Hooks No. 4-6 made of thin wire.
Small eels are also a good bait for sea bass (8-12 cm). You can also buy them at some French fishing stores or catch them yourself, which, however, is much more difficult, in a saltwater lake. The eelworm catches on the upper or lower jaw, one-third of the body length or the tail (hook no 2-4). The eelworm should be held by a dry newspaper, so that it does not run away between the fingers.