A look at the new local fishing regulations
First of all, I've put the main measures affecting us recreational anglers on the same image. The main measures are of course focused on sea bass, and this year also on pollock. We had been told that restrictive measures would apply mainly north of the 48th, but it turns out that when the law was published in the European Union's Official Journal on January 11, it was the south of the 48th that bore the brunt of the measures. France may yet tighten these measures at national level, so let's be cautious and reasonable in our sampling, what's more, controls will be stepped up this year.
While it's time to do something for the resource, the measures adopted are neither reassuring nor convincing. We could, for example, have created sanctuary zones where fishing would be banned for all. We know the breeding grounds of the various species, and this measure alone would have saved thousands of spawners, provided these areas were monitored. Following publication of this regulation, a leisure collective is being set up to find a way to finally make the voice of recreational and hobby anglers heard, everyone will find a name to suit them.
In search of places north of the 48th
So, back to this outing, as I'm north of the 48th, I was indeed able to take advantage of it. A windless window at the moment is quite rare, and this Saturday it was the case. Minus two degrees at the launch, but no wind at all, so it didn't feel any colder. Of course, winter clothing was de rigueur. The coefficient is 95 and I'll be fishing the third and fourth hours of ebb tide, when the current is strongest. The launch takes place on my usual beach, the weather is fine and it's freezing, literally.
Heading straight for the open sea, the days are shorter and so is the time spent on the water. After an hour's sailing, I'm on my spots, but this first hour on the zone will be nothing but drifting upstream, the tidal current being too strong. I change location and approach an area of shoals behind which lies the channel leading out of the abers. The current is clearly manageable with the pedals and I soon get my first hits.
I'll quickly make three nice fish that I'll keep, the lures of the day are the Talashad in ayu green and olive silver, I'll put the others back in the water. At depths of 20 to 30 metres, if you reel the fish in gently, you can release them without damage. For those who fish deeper, on wrecks for example, this is not possible, as the fish have their internal organs bursting. This is one of the aberrations of the new regulations that authorize fishing/releasing on the spot... Once I've kept my three fish, I decide to head back inside, as I can see a fog line forming in the distance, which will come in with the tide.
On the way back, I'll make a few stops, refit a few places, the bar and a nice collection of old ladies, and then head back to the water. As usual, I'll take a snack break on my departure beach before folding up, which is quite pleasant for a January 13. In the coming weeks, we'll have to keep an eye on these regulations. I find this north/south difference in location really strange, so let's be careful!
