The return of spawning, a strategic moment
During winter, sea bass leave coastal areas to breed. During this period, they feed little or not at all. This is the main reason why, in late autumn, they store a large quantity of food to build up their resources for the winter.
Bear in mind that when the fish return from spawning, they will be weakened and emaciated. They will be looking for food to replenish their reserves. This will influence your choice of lure, animation and fishing area.
Where to fish for bass at the start of the season from the shore?
Fish will be looking for places where the water is warmer than offshore, and where food will be present.
Estuaries meet all these criteria. Food is available all year round and the water, often brackish, is warmer than offshore. You'll find small crustaceans (crabs, shrimps) as well as small forage fish.
The current is weaker here than in the strong offshore veins. This makes it easier for sea bass, which have not yet recovered all their energy from spawning, to track down their prey.
Also target shallow rocky areas. The first rays of sunshine will quickly warm up the water. Bass love to hunt in shallow water, especially when the waves are picking up wildlife from the rocks.
Early season sea bass fishing by boat
In the open sea, you have two options.
The first is to target areas close to shore where the sun's rays quickly heat up the surface of the water. Whether in rocky areas or on sandbanks quickly colonized by sand eels, sea bass are sure to be present.
Further out to sea, the rocky plateaus can provide some nice surprises. On their return from spawning, sea bass are always found in compact shoals, often of identical size.
Some well-known areas are home to large colonies at the start of the season. If you can locate these areas of high concentration, you'll be able to make some great fishing trips.
Concentrate on the presence of food and areas not too exposed to the current. Bass prefer areas where they can feed without too much effort. Later in the season, these shoals will disperse and the fish will colonize other areas.
