Reasonable harvesting
The sea bass is sexually mature at about 5 years of age, hence the regulatory size of 42 cm, because it is considered that it has already been able to reproduce at least once. This fish has a rather slow growth rate, which is why it must be given time to grow and reproduce. The high winter fishing pressure on this species does not favor its sustainability.
November is therefore a period where it jumps on everything that moves, because arrived at the end of December, it will spin off. In our sampling, it will be necessary to privilege fish of 50 to 60 cm. As we can see in the table below, the biggest individuals are the best spawners, then let us release them.
Diversify fishing techniques
This month of November will allow us to practice all the techniques. Moreover, this year having been mild in terms of temperature, the water is still warm, so the fish are active. In the Rade de Brest, we continue to explore all the water layer, the lures are just a little bigger. For swimming fish, I use lures in 110 and 130. Always the same method, a drag behind the kayak and when I pick up a fish, I rake the area all around the kayak with a soft lure. And there, I scrape the bottom and then go up little by little to the surface.
When I have finished the whole area around the kayak, I go back to a new area, putting a lure on the trail until the next fish and I start again the grid around the float. Very often, the fish bitten are individuals over 50 cm, well rounded and very fat. The fattest fish are systematically put back in the water, because they are ready for their winter work. As well as the biggest fish which, as we have seen above, are the best breeders, so release them.
For the still pleasant mornings, as far as temperatures are concerned, do not hesitate to take out your surface lures. If the water is still at 14 or 15 °C, which is the case at the moment, the fish will not hesitate to come up. Here again, I use a big noisy lure like a super spook in 130, a lure that launches far away and makes a hell of a noise, it really annoys the labrax.
A season that ends
In our area, above the 48th, the season will end, legally, at the end of November, at least for the sampling. Nothing will prevent you from continuing to look for them in December, but it will be obligatory slackening.
My experience in the roadstead of Brest has shown me that they are present until the end of December, to come back from mid-April. For those who wish to continue to go out, we will then turn to cephalopods, big sea breams, or pollack and cod on the north coast.
For the moment, November is here so let's enjoy a few more beautiful days in search of this emblematic fish for many of us. And systematically release the biggest ones, our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy them too.
