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Around the Guérande Islands
My outings take place around the Guérande islands. Pierre Percée, Baguenaud, les Evens and the various rock heads that hang around. Conditions weren't at their best for a kayak outing, with 95 falling coefficients and a fairly strong north-easterly wind. Although the water was flat near Bonne Source beach, my launching beach, once past the beach shelter, the sea was choppy. I still decide to cross to Baguenaud, my favorite spot. I get shaken around a bit and at times, I take on water, so I have to avoid getting in the way of the wave...
Once there, I begin my drifts, which are fast at times... It's mostly trolling on these spots, with a nice population of pretty bass. I don't have to wait long, as my first drift turns up a nice sea bass. I use my two reference swimbaits, one of which comes in 2 different sizes. The Deep diver and 90 mm for 3 m and the 110 mm version for 4 m. The second lure is the 3DB Jerkbait in 110 mm. It's a suspending lure, and it likes the 2/3-meter zone best.
Sea bass fishing with swimmer fish
This first fish took a Deep in 90 mm when arriving on my prospecting area, it's a nice fish in the estimated 55/60. I say estimated, because when I got within range of the landing net, it unhooked on a last flick of the tail... It's off again for another drift, I'm at the end of the Baguenaud island, on the Pierre Percée side, there's quite a bit of mud, due to outcropping rocks. I put on a 3DB and the penalty quickly fell: a cartridge in the arm, the fish was hooked. It's already hard to get out of the danger zone, with this wind and the tidal current starting to make itself felt. We're at the start of the third hour, and even here the law of twelfths applies... I can't get into the right position and have to stepper constantly to keep control of the kayak in the face of the conditions.
Once out of the danger zone, it's easier for me to bring the fish back to the landing net. This one is about 50 cm long, a pretty blackback full of energy. Photo and release, it didn't ask for anything else. I take up a drift that's a little less restrictive in relation to the environment. I look for an area of 6 meters of water and the Deep does the job. I don't have to wait long, just one more cartridge and it's in. This time I'm away from the surface pebbles and it's easier to work the fish. I still have to keep stepping to avoid getting in the way. It's another pretty blackback in the 55/60 cm range that goes into the landing net. This one will be kept for the evening meal with the family. At this rate, I last for an hour, catching 6 fish in the same size range as the first two.
As the conditions strengthened, I decided to move closer to the coast and find shelter from the wind. It's a pity, because I'm sure I could have made a real score, but safety first, and I had a good catch anyway.
On the way back, I caught two more decent fish, but it took me an hour to get back with the wind blowing 3/4 of the way. Fortunately, I love sea spray and it's nice out. I spent another hour on the edge of the 300 m strip, trying out different surface and soft lures, but nothing to do, today they only wanted swimming fish...
The tide is soon out, and I take the opportunity to settle down on the beach for a well-deserved snack. It's also a good opportunity to answer questions from a few tourists who've come to take a closer look at this extraterrestrial with its frail boat loaded with equipment, which has landed on their bathing beach. At the end of the article, I've posted a video of the morning, so let's hope the wind dies down for the next outing. Today, it's 95 coefficients and it's going to be an educational foreshore outing with the grandchildren, so more good times to come...
