Fishing Guernsey - powered by Mick's Fishing

Species

Wrasse

The hard fighting wrasse lives in the rockiest haunts and it can be very difficult to land a larger fish.

There are many species but only two are of real interest to the angler. The Ballan wrasse is the main target so I will cover it in depth below. Most of the detail also applies to the cuckoo wrasse.

Identification:	A heavy bodied fish with large heavy duty scales. The colour can vary quite dramatically between different areas and even fish in the same area can vary somewhat. The main colours are greens, browns and reds, often with coloured spots, normally white or lightly coloured.
Size:	Ballan wrasse can grow over 10lb in weight though the record stands just over 9lb specimens in excess of 10lb have been caught but have not passed the rigours of the record committee. A young boy recently captured a fish which was weighed well over 10lb but the fish was eaten before formal identification and weighing could be carried out.
Season:	Wrasse can be captured all year round and sport with small specimens is enjoyed by young rods during the summer months. The larger wrasse are often targeted in Autumn and Winter months.
Bait:	Worm baits account for the majority of smaller fish. For the larger fish, hardback green crabs are very good. Other baits to try include scallop frills and other shellfish such as limpets, cockles or mussels. Best Baits: King Ragworm Harbour Ragworm Crab White Ragworm Limpet Verm Scallop Frills Good Baits: Lugworm Razorfish Other Baits Other Baits to try: Sandeel
Method:	Bottom Fishing for Wrasse is best, they are not often taken far from the sea bed. A weak link to the lead is a good idea as you will invariably be fishing heavy, tackle hungry ground. Larger Ballan Wrasse can sometimes be taken when using plugs fishing for Bass over heavy ground. A strong rod and good reel is needed to target the bigger specimens as they really do give quite an account for themselves.
Where to Catch:	White Rock Castle Cornet Rocks Havelet Bay Bathing Pools La Ricou Bec Du Nez Marble Bay Divette Pier St Martins Point - Battery Le Gouffre Pezeries Point Opposite Route de Coudre Slipway near Saline Road Battery near Saline Road L'Eree Shinglebank Fort Le Crocq Slip Vazon Centre Reef Fort Hommet Albecq South Rocks Port Soif - Little Island Port Grat Rousse Grande Havre / Amarreurs Ladies Bay Le Grande Camps Jaonneause Bay Fort Le Marchant Miellette Bordeaux St Sampsons Harbour Rocks Behind Aquastar Richmond Corner Chouet Belle Greve Bay La Salerie East Arm Vazon Richmond Le Creux Mahie Pecqueries Bay Le Long Cavaleaux

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