Tips for optimizing your first sea fishing trips

Catching your first fish is a special moment. © Benjamin Le Provost

Getting started in sea fishing can be daunting. Perseverance is necessary, and being accompanied by other anglers is a real plus. I'd like to share with you a few tips that are sure to save you time in your learning process.

Vary the fishing areas

Whether you're fishing from the shore or from a boat, the biotope varies enormously: rocky, sandy, muddy or shellfish breeding grounds, each environment has its own particularities and attracts different species.

To achieve good results, it's essential to vary the sectors. Fish move with the seasons, and the same spot may be very productive at one time, then empty at another. This essentially depends on the food available and the temperature of the water in the fishing area at any given time.

Les baies et les zones calmes sont d'excellentes zones de replis. Le poisson y passe toujours et la nourriture y est généralement abondante.
Bays and quiet areas make excellent retreats. Fish are always passing through, and food is generally plentiful.

By alternating biotopes and adapting your techniques to the season, you optimize your chances.

Don't try to catch just one species!

Certain species of fish enjoy great renown and are the stuff of dreams for many fishing enthusiasts. Sea bass is a perfect example of this, being one of the most sought-after species.

Nevertheless, when you're just starting out, it's best not to limit yourself to a single species. This will force you to vary your techniques and approach to spots, and will only enrich your learning experience.

Il n'y a pas que le bar dans la vie de pêcheur en mer !
There's more to life than sea bass!

Don't be overwhelmed by your choice of lures

Putting together your first box of lures can quickly turn into a headache, as there are so many to choose from. It's best to go straight for the basics, opting for a few soft lures that are a sure bet. I'm referring in particular to products from the Fiiish brand, which needs no introduction.
Add to this one or two surface lures, as well as an equal number of swimming fish and a few jigs, and you're ready to tackle almost any situation.

Understanding weather and tides

Weather and tides play an essential role in the success of your fishing trips. Wind, sunshine and temperature have a direct influence on fish activity and movements, as does the movement of the water due to the tides.

The wind determines the state of the sea: rough seas are often favorable for sea bass, which take advantage of the swell to feed on organisms torn from the rocks by the waves.

Comprendre la météo et les marées est l'un des paramètres les plus déterminants pour la réussite de votre sortie.
Understanding the weather and tides is one of the most important factors in the success of your outing.

Conversely, when the sun is shining brightly and temperatures are high, fish tend to leave shallow, oxygen-poor depths for deeper, cooler areas. By taking these factors into account, you'll be able to adapt your outings.

Multiplying fishing approaches

Restricting yourself to a single method can limit your progress. Each technique responds to specific conditions and fish behaviour. Fishing from a boat or from shore, slow animation close to the bottom or fast prospecting in the water layer: all these techniques will enable you to approach spots according to fish behaviour.

Variez les techniques lorsque vous êtes plusieurs pêcheurs à bord.
Vary your techniques when several anglers are on board.

Don't get discouraged

The first few outings will certainly not be the most fruitful. No matter, every fishing trip is a learning experience, and perseverance will pay off in the end. Understanding the species, the specifics of an area and the behavior of fish requires spending time at the water's edge.

La persévérance est toujours récompensée.
Perseverance is always rewarded.

By getting out and about with other practitioners, you'll also learn more quickly. These exchanges are rich in learning and sharing valuable information.

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