Winter surfcasting in the Mediterranean: don't put your rods away!

Surfcasting in winter © Laurent Duclos

Winter surfcasting in the Mediterranean is still very interesting, but you need to choose the right conditions, positions and baits to ensure a steady catch.

Fish behavior in winter

In winter, the surface water cools (often around 12âeuros15 °C), which slows down the general activity of the fish and causes them to stay close to the bottom or to gather in well-marked areas.âeuros

The most sought-after species on board are sea bass, sars, marblefish and sea bream, which take advantage of heavy seas to feed on the beaches.âeuros

Best times and conditions for fishing

Moderate seas are often the most productive: the swell releases worms and shellfish, attracting predators to the first beach step.âeuros

The sunny periods in the middle of the day gently warm up a thin layer of water, which can boost activity on otherwise quiet beaches.âeuros

Toujours de quoi s'amuser à pêcher même en hiver.
Always plenty of fishing fun, even in winter.

Choice of positions

In the Mediterranean, winter is concentrated on the mouths of rivers and ponds (RhÃ'ne, Aude, Hérault, Var, etc.) and on beaches with well-marked holes, channels or sandbanks.âeuros

Areas where the sea â??worksâ? (mixed water, current, waves breaking on an embankment) are a priority, as they concentrate food and fish, unlike long, uniform plateaus.âeuros

Equipment and fixtures to be used

Powerful rods from 4.20 to 4.50 m, nylon or braided lines with 30âeuros50/100 leaders are commonly used to hold the bottom in the wind and winter currents.âeuros

The most commonly used mounts are long sails for calm seas, sliding or self-ferring mounts for rough seas, and long-distance mounts for fetching fish far from shore.âeuros

Utiliser des appâts résistants de préférence.
Preferably use resistant baits.

Bait and safety

Meaty, hardy baits such as marine worms (bibi, arenicole, Korean), shellfish, sardines or cuttlefish are preferred for wolffish, bream and beautiful winter bream.âeuros

Cold, wind and humidity call for technical clothing, gloves and boots, as well as a well-organized workstation to stay focused and avoid accidents on seawalls and swell-beaten beaches.

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