If there's one simple and family-friendly fishing activity, it's shore fishing.
This activity is accessible to everyone, requiring little to no equipment, and offers a new way to explore the coastline beyond the beach while allowing younger participants to observe Brittany’s marine biodiversity.
There is one ABSOLUTE rule to follow: never take an undersized crustacean (see details at the end of the article)!! Not only is it illegal (with heavy fines), but it also harms biodiversity and the reproduction of species. Also, take only a few… Ideally, release all the crustaceans you catch.
When to go shore fishing ?
To begin with, you should know that it is essential to go shore fishing during spring tides with a coefficient of at least 90.
This is one of the basic rules of shore fishing because it must be practiced in the lowest part of the intertidal zone (the area exposed when the tide recedes), where marine biodiversity is usually submerged by the sea.
Therefore, in principle, the further you go on the intertidal zone, the better the fishing will be, as few people have access to these areas throughout the year.
How to go shore fishing ?
For crabs and other crustaceans, it’s best to have a crab hook, ideally as long as possible, to reach into crevices and cracks in the rocks where they hide during spring tides.
Don't hesitate to lie down on the rocks, stretch out your arm, and reach into the cracks without worrying about a few scratches…
A shrimp net or landing net can also be useful if you're looking for shrimp or bouquets (large Breton grey shrimp). Scrape along the rocky surfaces and search the large, deep pools left by the tide.
"Finally, the simplest type of fishing remains shellfish gathering, such as razor clams, clams, and cockles."
For the razor clam, it is easily identifiable by the hole on the surface of the sandbanks, shaped like an 8. Once spotted, simply sprinkle two generous pinches of salt on the hole, wait for the shellfish to expel the water and rise to the surface by itself. Then, just collect it! It's very fun for kids.
For clams, you'll just need a shovel, and dig where you see small holes of various shapes, often releasing water in a rather discreet manner.
Where to go shore fishing ?
In the Saint-Malo area, I divide (please note, I'm not an expert in the field) the shore fishing areas into two "rocky" zones, mainly for hunting crustaceans, shrimp, etc.
First, there's the "Bé" zone, located opposite Intra Muros: the peninsulas of Grand and Petit Bé. These two islands create an exceptional marine environment as they are situated in the middle of a vast sandbank, on a kind of cape, which is ideal for the passage of food.
Be sure to check the tide times, as you could get trapped on the peninsula. It's very dangerous.
The second area is Pointe de la Varde, a rocky zone and an excellent refuge for all types of crustaceans, further advantaged by its very difficult access due to a rather steep slope.
"You will find clams in the Solidor Bay, and razor clams on the sandbank behind the breakwater of the Sablons marina."
For "shellfish" fishing, such as clams and razor clams, most of the sandbanks in the area are good, and the fishing is quite simple.
The simple rules to ABSOLUTELY follow:
The minimum size refers to the minimum size for keeping a fish, by species and by area, and it is MANDATORY to respect it under penalty of heavy fines.
Below, you’ll find part of the minimum size requirements for species you may encounter in the Saint-Malo area.
Caution! It is strictly forbidden to keep any scallops from May 15 to September 30 inclusive.
AND it is strictly forbidden to keep any abalone from September 1 to June 14 inclusive.
For more info : https://www.pecheapied-loisir.fr/reglementation/ille-et-vilaine/
Be cautious of the very fast tides in the area to avoid getting trapped and to return safely!
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