The right equipment
Even before you start fishing for tassergal, you need to be properly equipped to avoid disappointment. The powerful jaws coupled with perfectly interlocking teeth make the tassergal a fish capable of cutting a line without any problem. In fact, this is the way it feeds, grabbing a fish and violently shaking its head to cut it in two, before returning to retrieve the second piece.
A steel leader is the best way to avoid getting cut, and discretion is not as important as when fishing with a lure, since a livebait is much more effective. It's best to use very sharp hooks that aren't too big, so that the fish can swim without too many constraints.
Choosing the right fish for tassergal fishing
It's not always easy to know which livebait to choose for tassergal fishing. They are rather opportunistic and will eat almost any fish they come across, especially during the summer season. When tassergal activity is low, you need to use livebaits that they particularly like, such as garfish, their favourite dish. You can also use a mackerel, present in large numbers in autumn, which is a good live-bait since it swims quickly and emits many distress signals.
Surfcasters don't particularly like tassergal as they tend to eat small bream and sars during fights, so it's also a viable option if you manage to catch some. Finally, if fish for live bait are scarce, you can use a bogue, mullet or any other fish big enough to tempt a nice tassergal.
A few precautions to take
The tassergal is a fish that can quickly become dangerous if mishandled. Its teeth don't allow the slightest error, which is why you should use a landing net and a pair of pliers to unhook it if you value your fingers. Preferably use barbless hooks, as the tassergal struggles violently when out of the water and you run the risk of sticking a hook somewhere. Smaller fish must be released to preserve the population, so barbless hooks mean no damage to the fish. Don't let the tassergal bait your livebait; you can hook it quickly after the bite to avoid it cutting your line.
