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Birds as indicators
Once again, it was by spotting bird activity that we were able to target the day's fishing area.
The use of binoculars is now virtually indispensable to me, and not just for bluefin tuna fishing. They enable me to observe the area carefully and locate birds, often indicative of underwater activity.
At this time of year, sea bass gather in compact shoals, with high concentrations in areas close to the coast.
This situation is temporary, however: as water temperatures rise, schools of fish will disperse, forcing us to adapt our approach to fishing more isolated fish.
With the area of activity now identified, all that remains is to make the right choice of lure. Bird hunting is very common at this time of year.
Fast fishing under the birds
When the fish are active, I prefer lures that I animate quickly in the middle of the water layer. In these conditions, I prefer slug-type lures that swim erratically through the water. I chose the Crazy Sand Eel in 150 and 180 mm. Quickly animated as soon as it enters the water, it is one of my best assets on fish in full activity.
As expected, surface hunting is often synonymous with the presence of sea bass close to the surface. In this situation, I aim for the heart of the hunt, letting the lure dive a few meters before starting fast animations.
Linear animation also works very well. You can animate your lure with more or less dry strokes of the tip, creating an erratic swimming action.
The disadvantage of this type of fishing situation is that it is difficult to select the best fish. These are often on the periphery of the hunt. That's why I let the drift run downstream and don't hesitate to scrape the bottom in search of a nice posted fish. I also don't hesitate to change lure for a shad.
In search of posted fish!
As the hours go by, the current weakens and activity picks up. It's the perfect time to look for posted fish, in the hope of spotting a nice specimen.
At the start of the season, I'm still not sure about fish preferences. So I'm opting for a safe bet: Black Minnow in 120 or 140.
When worked close to the bottom, it will win over even the most wary fish. Size 140 remains, in my opinion, the most versatile, perfectly imitating the prey found along the Channel coast. Combined with the different weights of lead heads available, this lure can be adapted to any situation.
The 2026 season is now well underway, and the particularly clement weather conditions augur well for some great outings in the days ahead. I'll be sure to share the results with you.
