Fishing seabass from the shore can be difficult when you know neither how, nor where to fish them. Find out in this guide, where to find these combative fish, and which equipment to use to catch them.
The beach is undoubtedly the most accessible spot to fish seabass. With this large volume of water, where do we have the best chance of finding them?
The answer is tidal pools. These are currents of water created by tides and which form in basins. Recognise areas where the current stops, and areas where the current differs from the tide. Very often, seabass like to swim around here to feed themselves.
Just as with tidal pools, seabass like areas where the current is variable or even absent. So they position themselves close to structures while waiting for the slightest opportunity to feed.
At the mouth of estuaries, creeks, pools or rivers where many fish can be found swimming with or against the current, seabass are never too far away. Survey the area by moving around to better find active fish who are feeding.
It can sometimes happen that you come across predator fish hunting at the surface. You will also therefore see turbulent water at the surface, sometimes with fish jumping out of the water, or birds dipping into the water to catch fish.
If encountering this feeding euphoria, don’t deliberate, cast into the middle and reel in your lure energetically with pauses.
In order to reach sometimes distant spots, it is worth having a long rod that casts far. Rods between 2.70 m and 3 m will be perfectly suited to this use. If the place where you fish is shallow or there is not much current, use a rod whose casting weight range is between 10 g and 50 g. If you wish to fish somewhere where there is a stronger current or greater depth, a rod whose casting weight is between 20 g and 60 g would be better.
These casting weights represent the optimal weight of lures which you will be able to cast.
The reel should have a good line capacity (between 250 m and 300 m). For this, size 3500, 4000 or 4500 reels would be best.
For the line, you are strongly advised to use a braided line. Its greater strength compared to nylon will enable you to reduce the diameter and gain distance, which is essential for fishing seabass from the shore.
We recommend using a braided line between 12/100 and 16/100.
Even if this is not required, you may improve your stealth by using a fluorocarbon leader. This line has the advantage of being almost invisible under the water. For a high level of strength, we recommend you use between 50 cm and 1 m of 40/100 fluorocarbon.
Surface lures are floating lures that imitate fish. Their unpredictable left-right swimming action triggers bites when the seabass are at the surface, and can go up to seek them out by coming back up by one or two metres.
Jerkbaits are lures that imitate fish, making it possible to fish under the surface and a bit deeper. They are very effective when fish are suspended between 2 m and 4 m under the water. You can reel them back in using three different techniques:
In a linear fashion, by casting and reeling in
In an erratic manner by agitating the tip of the rod to make the lure move left and right.
By pulling movements interspersed with pauses.
Up to you to find that which works best.
Soft lures are the most versatile lures. The depth at which they fish will depend on the weight of the jighead you use. Don’t hesitate to vary the colour schemes, even using neon colours which are very attractive to seabass. You can reel them in using a linear motion. You can also reel them in using long pulling movements interspersed by lengthy pauses to allow the lure to touch the bottom.
Jigs are metal lures that can be cast long distances. Like lures, they enable you to fish at different water levels according to the weight. Once again, several movements can be used: casting and reeling in with a linear motion, by pulling movements interspersed with pauses, or with long pulling movements interspersed with lengthy pauses to hit the bottom again. This last movement will enable the lure to 'flit' while giving off flashes when you pause.
Start by fishing at the surface, then at mid-depth, and finally at the bottom if you haven’t yet felt any bites. This will enable you to fish at all levels of water and seek the fish where it’s found. If you start by fishing at the bottom while the seabass are at the surface, you risk disturbing them when casting and/or driving them away.
