South Coast
St. Aubin’s Rocks (Belcroute Bay)
West of St. Aubin’s harbour lies the pretty bay of Belcroute where there is a small slipway giving on to clean sand, but to the right of the beach the shoreline becomes rocky and extends right around to Noirmont Point. At low water it is possible to fish this area on a mobile basis, but great care must be taken to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide as the cliffs above are a dangerous climb. Spinning with plugs and artificial lures is very successful here, with clear water conditions at first and last light the best times to try. To the left of the slip are some rocks that provide a good fishing platform for flat fish, Bass, Pollack, and several other species, particularly at night. These rocks will become cut off by the high tide, so a close watch is needed to guarantee a safe exit.
Species
Bass are the main target for those fishing the rocks to the right of the beach, with good numbers of schoolies present but also the chance of much larger fish to double figures. From the slip itself and the rocks to the left, a number of species follow the tide on its way to St. Aubin’s bay including Sole, Bass, Mullet, and Dogfish.
Tackle
Standard spinning rods and reels should be used to cast shallow diving lures from the rocks where fish will be feeding in the gullies. Surface poppers work well in settled conditions, and can often induce vicious takes from hungry Bass, as well as Pollack and Mackerel. Fly fishing with sand-eel imitations and Clouser Minnows is particularly effective in this area, and can produce great sport on light tackle. Worm baits, and frozen sand-eel, work well from the rocks to the left of the slip for several species.
Getting There
From St.Aubin, climb the hill by way of the Grande Route de St. Brelade until the left hand turn to La Rute de Noirmont. Follow this road for about a mile until you come to another left hand turn to Le Chemin de Bel Croute which is a very winding road that takes you down to the bay itself. There is parking for a small number of cars close to the slip, but turning room is restricted.
Noirmont Point (South West)
This massive headland dominates the western end of St. Aubin’s Bay and is guarded by a lighthouse below to warn shipping of the dangers that lurk there. The powerful tidal flow passes very close to the outcrop of rock at the foot of the mark and allows the angler to place his bait in a prolific feeding area that is frequented by many species. The mark is fished two hours either side of low water to allow one to reach the outer platform and return before the tide cuts it off from the shore. The rock that provides a base for the light also provides an excellent fishing platform for the angler who can either bottom fish, or cast plugs into the turbulent flow. From the headland above the climb down to the mark looks quite daunting, but in truth it is easily attainable by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The area is subject to occasional rogue swells, and the angler should remain alert at all times to the prevailing conditions and the sea state. The rocks that stretch away from the point in either direction are excellent for plugging for Bass, but access and egress can be tricky. Fishing from low tide up can be tremendous with very large Bass always on the cards, but particular attention should be paid to the incoming tide to avoid being cut off.
Species
Situated as close as it is to the main tidal flow, Noirmont hosts a whole variety of predatory species that feed on the bait that gathers there to shelter. Bass, Pollack, Mackerel, Garfish, Bream, and Conger canal be targeted with confidence, and Wrasse and Mullet are also on the cards in the gullies.
Bait
Fish baits such as Mackerel, Pouting, and Sand-eel will catch most species, with worm and green shore Crab best for the Wrasse. Float-fished fish strip will account for Gars and Mackerel, especially when combined with minced fish groundbait introduced regularly. Mullet will also be attracted to this ‘shirvy’, as it is locally known, and can be caught on bread flake or Mackerel strip. Two and three hook paternostered squid strip is the best option for Bream that can run to well over three pounds. Bass and Pollack will take medium to heavy lures and spinners cast into the flow, with plugs and ‘Yans’ of around 150 grammes working well.
Tackle
Medium to heavy beachcasters will be required to fish this rough ground area, coupled with rotten bottom rigs to reduce tackle loss. Simple running ledger, or pulley rigs work best, with the emphasis being on strength rather than complex design. Grip leads will be necessary at most times to combat the strong tidal flow, with weights of six ounces being the norm. Strong float, or bottom tackle is needed to prevent the Wrasse, that run to over six pounds, from escaping in the kelp strewn gullies. Standard spinning outfits will allow one to explore the superb ground in the area for Bass and Pollack, with surface and shallow diving lures working well. Mullet should be targeted with standard coarse fishing gear combined with either a long handled landing net, or a drop net.
Getting There
From the capital, St. Helier, drive west toward St. Aubin and then onto the A13 towards St. Brelade. Look for a left hand turn, the B57, at the top of the hill above St. Aubin, which is the Route De Noirmont and will lead right to the headland itself. Parking is in the car park on top of the promontory, and this also provides an excellent picnic spot for any non- anglers. There is a track that leads down to the lighthouse, which although quite steep, is relatively safe. The rocky platform of the light is best for bottom fishing, with the rocks and gullies either side of the mark suitable for float fishing and spinning.
Greve D'Azette to La Hocq (South East)
This area of coastline has often been likened to a ‘moonscape’ such is the appearance of the massive reef system from the road at low tide. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, as the area is absolutely teeming with natural life forms of all sorts, that thrive among the sandy gullies and rock pools. The reef system affords perfect cover for immature fish of many species that wish to avoid larger predators, and the abundance of crabs, razor fish, worms, and many other natural baits, means that the area is full of fish that visit the feeding grounds with the rise and fall of the tide each day. The reef system is punctuated by a series of gutters that form a passage between the rocks from the beach to the open sea, and it is these ‘highways’ that the fish use as the tide rushes in. These are the target areas to be fished by anglers on a mobile basis with either live sandeel, worm, or crab bait, or with floating plugs and spinners. Chest waders are often essential to enable one to access the best spots, but great care must be taken to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide.
Species
Bass are the prime target species for shore anglers, although Wrasse and several species of flatfish can be taken from the boat. Mullet are frequent visitors to the area, and can be caught on floatfished bread flake, and even on fly rods with tiny shrimp imitations.
Bait
For Bass, one should concentrate on the natural food present, i.e. sandeel, crab and worm. The waters of the bay are quite shallow and are best fished with shallowdiving, or floating lures and plugs. Fly fishing with floating lines and sandeel imitation flies works well from low tide up.
Tackle
For bait fishing, and for plugging, a light Bass rod, or freshwater carp rod, coupled with a fixed spool reel, is perfect for this type of fishing. For those wishing to try the fly rod, opt for an eight or nine weight outfit, matched with floating and intermediate lines, and two to three inch bait imitation flies.
Getting There
From St. Helier, take La Grande Route De La Cote (A4) which runs all along the coast in an easterly direction from Greve D’Azette to La Rocque Harbour. The beach, and fishing marks can be accessed from a number of car parks situated at the roadside.