The scale, an addictive fishing
The scale consists of a metal frame, either round, rectangular or square, 50 to 70 cm on a side, with a mesh of 8 or 10 mm. It can be weighted to hold in the currents and connected by a cord to tighten and raise it. A wire or a small net is used to put in the bait, which can be a piece of fish, liver or a crab split in two.
This fishing is practiced as much in still waters as in fast waters which are preferable, the best fishing is done 1 hour before the slack water until the middle of the flow. Once immersed in the water, it is necessary to wait a few minutes so that the crustaceans are attracted by the bait and go up on the scale then one raises the scales using the cord. There is nothing left to do but to collect the crabs and shrimps trapped in it to the greatest pleasure of all.
It will be necessary all the same to take care of the legal sizes of catches. Indeed, in the North Sea, the Atlantic and the Channel, pink shrimp and prawns should be at least 5 cm, other shrimp 3 cm and curlews 6.5 cm. This regulation is quite different in the Mediterranean, the pink shrimp of the open sea should be at least 2 cm.
Where and when to fish
Fishing with scales is practiced either in the channels connected to the sea, from a dock or a boat, or directly in the sea by stretching the scales in front of the bank. The scales should be laid flat, preferably in the cavities, because this is where our prey, shrimp and crabs, are concentrated. This fishing can be practiced all year round, but you will not catch the same thing depending on the season. From November to March, the pink shrimp come to our shores while the clumps disappear before returning from April to October. The fishing of the scale is regulated at a rate of 3 fishing gears per fisherman of the edge as in boat.
Different uses
The crabs and shrimps caught will be real delicacies that will delight the gourmets. The crabs can be eaten in soup or mayonnaise, while the shrimp make a tasty appetizer. These crustaceans can also be used as bait for fishing trips from the sea or by boat. Indeed, live shrimps will be used to look for bass in buldo and sparids in surfcasting or support fishing. As for crabs, they will surely seduce dorados, sars, bass, dentex, dogfish and many other species. In general, these two baits will also be very effective for fishing rock fish.
