Four spots, four fishing techniques on the Bay of Arcachon! Choose from sea fishing, surfcasting, foot fishing or casting. There’s something for everyone, with different sensations every time.
Sea fishing between Arcachon and Cap Ferret
During the vacations, discover sport fishing in the passes between Arcachon and Cap Ferret. Come aboard a fishing boat for an outing lasting a few hours, half a day or a full day. You’ll be accompanied by an experienced fishing guide. You’ll learn the different techniques of sea fishing (bait or lure), discover the fauna and flora of our coasts and… come home with a “miracle catch”. Depending on the season: speckled bass, sea bream, bonito, yellow lees, mackerel, but also bluefin tuna off the Arcachon Basin.
Sea fishing trip (4-hour excursion) proposed by the Union des Bateliers Arcachonnais, departing from Arcachon fishing port , for adults and children aged 8 and over. Reservations on 05.57.72.28.28 or www.bateliers-arcachon.com.
Surfcasting at the foot of the Pilat Dune
In addition to sea fishing, you can also practice surfcasting on the shores of the Arcachon basin, as close as possible to the wave, over the rollers. Surfcasting, which literally means “to throw into the wave”, is a seaside fishing technique practised from the beach when tidal coefficients exceed 65.
Grab a rod, reel, pick or tripod, and let the fishing begin! Head for the beach at the foot of the Pyla Dune, opposite the Banc d’Arguin. Here, you’ll be able to reel in some very fine striped and speckled bass, marblefish, triggerfish, brown rays, sole, sars, grey mullet, conger eels… Other surfers’ favorite spots include Plage de la Corniche in La Teste-de-Buch, Plage du Petit Nice on the road to Biscarrosse and Plage des Arbousiers in Arcachon.
All year round, the Fishermaster club in La Teste-de-Buch organizes discovery sessions. Program: bait preparation, rigging, casting techniques, night surfcasting.
Fishing in the esteys
During high tides, shellfishing is a popular activity for families. On the Bay of Arcachon, shellfishing takes place on the esteys and mudflats at low tide, in rocky and sandy areas. Using a simple net, a hoe or a small rake, you can unearth clams (coutoyes), cockles, scallops, razor clams, periwinkles, mussels and sea urchins, as well as crustaceans such as curlers, spider crabs, shrimps and prawns. Please note that collecting oysters, even wild ones, and siponcles (“bibis”) is strictly forbidden in the Basin.
It’s up to you to choose the ideal spot: the esteys of Arès at low tide, but also La Teste-de-Buch, Lanton and Andernos-les-Bains. To find out more, see our article on foot fishing in the Arcachon Basin.
Pike, perch and roach fishing on the Leyre river
The Bassin d’Arcachon is home to a number of rivers, mainly with sandy bottoms. Some flow directly into the basin, while others are tributaries of the Leyre. This wild river crosses the department over 42 km, offering numerous courses between Le Teich and Biganos. You can fish for pike, trout, eel, perch, roach, waders, tench and a few mullet downstream, as well as estuary fish such as flounder and mug.
Other famous fishing spots on the Bassin d’Arcachon? Etang de Lescarret (Le Teich), Lac de la Magdeleine (Gujan-Mestras), Etang de Surgenne (Mios), Etang de Capet in Salles (night fishing available) and Lac de Cazaux-Sanguinet in the middle of the Landes forest.
photo credit: Pera Detlic, Pixabay