Outing to the Pays des Abers with friends from La Rade after 15 days of bad weather. Over the last few weeks, we haven't been spoiled for weather on the Atlantic coast. So when a window of opportunity appears in the forecast and our friends are available, we take the opportunity to launch our kayaks. So, on this August 10, 2023, we meet up with two friends with whom I usually go out. We've got a few hours to get out into the open sea and try to find a few spots.
Recreational fishing soon to be banned?
I don't know if you've heard, but pressure is being exerted by a certain professional category to close access to this species for recreational anglers... Rather than going to these extremes, which have not prevented the sea bass population from recovering with similar measures, we should, in my humble opinion, consider less extreme solutions. Let's not forget that recreational fishing also means thousands of jobs and sales. We could, for example, raise the current ridiculous sampling mesh size, and use the biological mesh size as a reference for everyone.
Quotas can also be set for the species, although this is a difficult solution, since releasing a site caught in 30 m or more of water is doomed to failure in terms of its survival. We can also set up a temporary closure corresponding to its reproduction period, or create sanctuary zones for everyone. The sea belongs to everyone, and we can't appropriate a common good and a species, but rather support it so that everyone can benefit from it.
Fish and dolphins
Our calm weather window lasts until around 11:00 a.m., giving us enough time to get to our spots and back. As usual, the troll I set up along the way paid off: after ten minutes or so, a nice sea bass climbed into the kayak. It takes us 45 minutes to get to our spots, and we're forced to look elsewhere. Our spot is taken by a pod of hunting bottlenose dolphins, and we spend a good while happily watching them.
They're at home, there are a few youngsters in the group, no doubt learning how to hunt, we're the intruders and leave them to their own devices. It'll be a while before we find any decent fish, no doubt the sound of their sonar echolocation has scared off the locals. Anyway, we pick up a few more species, old ones, garfish, coquettes, and finally some of the local fish we can get our hands on.
Kayak fishing and sharing
As predicted, the weather was turning and we decided to head for home. For once, we manage to get out in a group and head for our favorite spot for a snack, the island of Stagadon, just outside the Abers. The colors are magnificent with the changing skies. Once we've had our snack and cleaned the fish we've kept, and the wind is now blowing, we decide to head back. It's so good to meet up with friends for a joint outing - kayak fishing is all about sharing.
