Also known as "Little Ireland" because of the similarity of the landscape with its traditional stone walls, Cap de la Hague is located at the north-western tip of the Cotentin peninsula and is bordered by the raz Blanchard, one of the strongest currents in Europe. This area offers a wide range of spots for surfers. You'll find areas with strong currents, exposed rocky points, counter-currents, small well-sheltered coves and a few pebble or lightly sandy beaches.
How do I go about it?
In view of the strong currents, we recommend average coefficients of no more than 80 for a first outing. Above this value, fishing is likely to be complicated.
From the port of Goury, with its distinctive SNSM shelter, you can head south to Ecalgrain Bay. Along the way, you'll find numerous rocky points, with the presence of kelp as you approach the low-water mark, before ending up on Ecalgrain beach.
At the start of the season, you may find some nice yellow pollack. Use a small 10 to 12 cm lure, sardine or blue, to optimize your chances. Sea bass arrive relatively early in this area, probably attracted by the sardines that are present every year around March and April. When you reach Ecalgrain Bay, you can surfcast for flatfish. Bait is easy to collect. All you need is a pitchfork and some elbow grease to pick up a few sand eels or mud worms, then fish the same area.
Continuing southwards, you'll come to an area of cliffs that is much less accessible. This area has the advantage of sheltering you from easterly winds. In fine weather, mackerel are often present. A small jig, or a cast and drag, will enable you to catch them easily.
If you head back north, still using the SNSM canoe shelter as a reference point, you'll find an alternation of rocky points and calmer coves. These are great places to surface fish as soon as the water is warm enough for the fish to react.
Equipment to be used
For shore fishing, 2 rods can be used:
The first, ideally at least 2.20 m long and 15-40 g in weight, will be used primarily for surface lures or other swimming fish. If you're not already equipped, there's no need to overload your tackle box. Select 2 to 3 lures with the advice of your retailer. Heddon's Super Spook, a great classic, but also Xorus' Asturie or Illex's Bonnie are sure values.
This rod can also be used for line fishing with 20-gram lead sinkers. A Nitro Shad 120 from Illex in Blue herring or Jelly shad or a Black Minnow from Fiiish in the new Electric blue will be perfect for sardines.
The second recommended rod is lighter, for fine fishing with small, lightly weighted lures. Still at least 2.20 m long, you'll be able to match it with small shad or slug.
In all cases, a reel in size 3000 or 4000 will be suitable.
If you don't know how to choose, a 3000 is still the most versatile on the market, especially if it has a high ratio. This choice will bring you a lower weight.
For braiding, I continue to rely on the Daiwa J-braid Grand, in PE1. I talked about it in this previous article.
Finally, add about 2m of 30-centime fluorocarbon for discretion.
A few tips for success
As is often the case, to help you in your choice of position, pay close attention to the surrounding environment. At the start of the season, it's not uncommon to see gannets hunting not far from the lighthouse. Some days, with a little luck, they may be within casting range, provided you use a long enough rod and a jig casting
The end of the season, from October onwards, remains the most prolific. The fish, anxious to feed abundantly to build up the resources needed for spawning and to get through the winter, will be present in large numbers. Some very fine fishing is possible, especially on days when the sea is slightly choppy.
