Mixed conditions
After a period of truce from January to March, which corresponds to sea bass reproduction, at the end of March and beginning of April, sea bass enthusiasts return to the coast and estuary to try and catch the first fish of the year.
In contrast to previous years, spring has been rather gloomy here in Brittany, with lots of wind and heavy rainfall. Conditions are not very sunny, so the waters don't warm up much, and neither do the edges of the estuaries I like to tread. Often not conducive to an early season. We'll have to wait a little longer to see sea bass more regularly, especially in estuaries.
First sea bass spotted in estuary
At the end of March, a beautiful day is approaching, and even though we've only just resumed trout fishing with the opening on March 9, I'm already looking forward to stalking sea bass on sight in the estuary. I'm managing to find a slot despite all the things I have to do at this time of year.
I first go to the estuary I use most, and apart from a very brief glimpse of a nice-sized sea bass, I don't see anything else. I decide to go to one of my new favorite spots discovered last season. Here, ditto, few fish on the edges. The mullets have arrived, but the bass seem to be few and far between.
After more than an hour without seeing a single fin, I came across a very large sea bass, certainly a resident (which stays in the estuary all year round) which had come to hunt in a shoal of small fry, but which was moving very fast. When I see him again, he's 4 meters away from me. I quickly send him my imitation crab, which he inspects for several long seconds before gobbling it up. Unfortunately, the short distance, the excitement and the use of a new rod made me take the fly out of his mouth! One hell of a bass, over 70 cm long, which would have given me a great start to the season!
Getting back on track
If you haven't fished this way for a few months, you'll need to get your bearings again, because like all sight-fishing, the timing of your hooking is crucial to getting the right bite.
Last Sunday, I returned to the estuary, and after 30 minutes without seeing a single fish, I came across this very pretty sea bass lying on the bottom in 40 cm of water! He must be digesting a prey item or taking a break and doesn't seem very active. It's large and in good shape. The pressure's on!
I take my time. I position myself behind his back and place my fly, an imitation green crab made of synthetic fibers, at a safe distance so as not to frighten him. My cast is perfect and falls smoothly. The bass still doesn't move. I animate my fly so that he locates it. He reacts immediately and goes for it, then sucks it in! I strike in the nick of time, and this time he's at the end. What a thrill! He takes off like a rocket, takes 5 or 6 meters of line from my reel, and passes through the seaweed. I had a few scares, but in the end I managed to bridle him and get him out. After that, the fight was all headbutts. He's really a fish in great shape. Here he is in the bank where I grab him by the mouth. I quickly measure it, as it's a beautiful fish. It's almost 60 cm long (59 in fact). I take his portrait and carefully return him to the water. He swims off again. Brilliant! It's this kind of emotion and feeling that we come for. Looking for fish on sight, whatever the species, gives you indescribable adrenaline rushes! Sometimes it's hard to explain to friends and acquaintances who aren't anglers. There are few things in life that can give you this kind of thrill!
I'll find a few bars again, and even if the activity doesn't seem extraordinary and the number of bars seen is fairly low, I'll still have a few good opportunities.
I'll miss one on the shoeing (too hasty once again) by taking the fly out of his mouth. He'll be looking for it for a while! Another great action with a fish that was wandering between the clumps of seaweed. Then I'll take a nice rejection on another fish with a strange behavior, which seemed to be hunting tiny prey in the edges. On the opposite bank, I hooked another 45-50 cm sea bass a little too early! Visibility isn't always perfect at the start of the season and sometimes you can't see what they're doing. With sight flies, you have to hook visually. You almost never feel a touch. If you can't see the fish's mouth opening, you can often strike just by reading its behavior.
In short, the fish are there in places. They're feeding, but seem to be on something other than crabs, even if well presented, it's a bit of a pet peeve of theirs and makes them cringe!
A great session with only one sea bass in the water, but a very nice fish to start the season! Superb sight action, just the way we like it. Can't wait to get back out there, but it won't be for a while, as I'm going to be short of time with my guiding business.
See you soon and enjoy the season!
