Every year, the whole family comes together for spring vacation at their grandparents' house on the Crozon peninsula. And when the spring tides come in at this time, it's a great time for fishing, and an opportunity to share an activity together in the great outdoors!
The best fishing spots on the Crozon peninsula
As a lifelong resident of the peninsula, I act as a guide for the whole family and cousins from Paris, to find the best fishing spots. But I'll refrain from revealing them here! I'm also the master of time: we leave at ebb tide. Then, at the hour when the sea is at its lowest, an alarm on my watch tells everyone that it's time to head up the beach.
Fishing spots are well-kept secrets among the locals. Be observant and watch where the regulars go. Nevertheless, the Grève du Fret on the Brest roadstead remains a well-known and popular spot.
Fishing on foot: all the senses on alert
There's a special atmosphere on the beach when the sea has receded into the distance. The atmosphere is calm, the sky is clear, the birdsong has taken over from the sound of the waves. The characteristic iodine scent tickles our nostrils, leaving us with a foretaste of all these delights. My favorite part: the crunch of my boots on the leash. As for my nephews, they're delighted to jump in the puddles!
Every find is a treasure
Abalone, periwinkles, clams, crabs, shrimps, flat oysters from the bay... Fishing on foot is a treasure hunt that requires patience and observation. There's something almost meditative about this activity. Away from our screens, but with a regular eye on the sea, we relax, laugh and exchange memories as a family. Or we talk about cooking, preparing the menu as we go along.
The best container for keeping your catch cool is a wicker basket. Beware of plastic beach buckets, in which the water tends to heat up quickly in the sun, rendering your shellfish unfit for consumption.
Knife fishing: a special technique
How do you impress a 5-year-old and make him believe in magic? Show him how to fish with a knife! Once you've spotted the knife hole, pour in some fine salt and the knife will rise in a matter of seconds. You'll need to grab it quickly by the shell to prevent it sinking back into the sand.
Don't be surprised!
Watch out for the incoming tide!
The most important thing to remember when fishing on foot is to keep an eye on the incoming tide and know the tide times before setting out. During periods of high coefficients, the sea rises very quickly, and in a non-linear fashion. Every year, fishermen get trapped and find themselves surrounded by water, with sometimes dramatic consequences.
A story about the moon!
High tides occur at the same time as the full and new moons, around 2 times a month, and are linked to the Moon's attraction to the Earth. Large tides are defined as those with a coefficient equal to or greater than 90.
Fishing on foot: rules to respect
Before planning a fishing trip, I always ask about health restrictions at the tourist office or town hall. In some cases, the water may contain cyanobacteria making the shellfish unfit for consumption, so you don't want to make the whole family ill! To ensure the survival and reproduction of the species, certain rules also apply to the size and timing of the catch.
Tasting time!
Back at the family home, the boots full of sand have been left outside the door, and we're back in the kitchen to cook up all these delights. While the mayonnaise man goes about his mission in earnest, the periwinkles are cooking in court-bouillon for the aperitif, the oysters are browning quietly in the oven, and the razor clams are getting a hot kick in the frying pan with butter, garlic and parsley. The best moments of a family vacations are, after all, always the simplest!