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Cephalopods
Cephalopods are mollusks, aquatic invertebrates. Etymologically, the word "cephalopod" could be translated as "foot-head". A voluminous head as a body and "feet", tentacles and arms that terminate this body directly, without an abdomen. These arms, fitted with suction cups, are used to seize prey, defend themselves or swim. At the base of these tentacles is a mouth-like beak. This enables them to attack a wide range of prey: fish, shellfish, crustaceans, other cephalopods... Cephalopods are fascinating creatures in many ways. They are highly intelligent animals, capable of learning and solving problems.
They also have the ability to change color, thanks to photophores, special cells located on the skin. This color change has many uses: camouflage, communication and even hypnotizing prey!
They still possess an unusual means of defense: ink. A thick, sticky, slightly irritating liquid that serves to confuse and deter predatory followers. A precious liquid that has been used since antiquity to make Indian ink.
Cephalopods of the French coast
Various species of cephalopods can be found on our French coasts. One of the most fascinating is the curious and mischievous octopus. It's found mainly in the Mediterranean. The white squid is also found in the Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean. Its fishing is both technical and convivial, and keeps the long winter evenings busy. Finally, there's the cuttlefish, a cephalopod found on many coasts, sometimes easy, sometimes very tricky to lure.
Stalking these animals with lures is very different from stalking fish. As their morphologies are not very comparable, you need to use lures, equipment and an approach that are adapted to them. Lures are armed, swum and coloured differently to suit the physiognomy of our tentacled friends. Let's find out more about the different species and how to catch them!
