The beginning of the season is never the same, especially because of the weather conditions, and always full of uncertainties. As it is often decisive, and in any case important for confidence and motivation to start at best, let's try to determine when and how to start your sea bass fishing season from shore.
What the ethics say
First of all, it is important to know that the reproduction period of the sea bass is spread over the first quarter of the year. Apart from the fact that spawning takes place offshore, sporting and fishing ethics dictate that we should not start tracking them until the beginning of April.
What biology says
We have just mentioned the fact that the sea bass spawning grounds are located offshore. Thus, during the winter, apart from some sedentary fish, the sea bass are not at the coast. At the beginning of April, as a general rule, they are nevertheless grouped in mats in the shallow waters and sometimes very close to the coast to hunt in the shoals of forage fish to regain their strength. Then, progressively, they will spread out over the different spots and areas in the shallow waters and along the coast. It is therefore important to keep in mind that in April, it is quite possible to find fish at the coast but that they will be very localized.
What the weather says
No two years are alike and for example, a year ago we were confined under 15 degrees more. Thus, if in a general way we can say that it is possible to catch bass from the shore from April and that mid-May will sound the real beginning of the festivities with fish distributed in a more homogeneous way and in number all along the coast, it is obvious that the temperature of the water and the orientation of the dominant winds little to accelerate or to slow down the processâeuros¦
The importance of a good strategy
At the very beginning of the season, the bars arrive gradually and the inhabited and fruitful spots will be few. On the other hand, they need to regain their strength and will therefore be active. Thus, the choice of your spots is particularly determining and you should not hesitate to fish quickly the areas in search of (active) fish. It will be necessary to "powerfisher" a maximum and to be mobile.
The right areas to start
With this in mind, you should direct your search towards spots that concentrate a maximum of food. If the marked and nourishing currents must obviously have your favor, all the zones where the water warms up more quickly can concentrate more life. So, "closed" areas, such as estuaries, which not only maintain sedentary fish, are more sensitive to temperature variations and allow you to find your first bass. But rocky coasts and beaches can also be excellent in places, because the real determining factor is the food, it is more than ever essential to observe its environment.
Look for life
Bass have only one thing on their minds at this time of year¦ Feed! So, before you even focus your attention on a specific spot, put down your rods and take the time to observe your fishing area and look for â??lifeâ?. The clues that should guide you are of course a hunt in the shallow end; it is more than likely that some fish are also at the nearest coast to feed. But you should also look down and observe the presence of forage on the edges, crabs and shrimp under the rocks, mullets marauding, etc. The areas where life is active first will surely be the best spots to prospect.
The case of oyster beds
If we have mentioned the case of estuaries, oyster beds are often also a safe bet to find your first fish. Indeed, these structures concentrate life and offer a comfortable resting and hunting area for bass. But beyond that, the month of May marks the beginning of the reproduction period of this shellfish. Its milt attracts micro organisms, which in turn concentrate crustaceans and forage fish and little by little a food chain is created with Mr Labrax at the top!
