Crab fishing
At low tide, Arcachon Bay uncovers incredible stretches of land accessible to all: “crassats” (local name for the land which emerges at low tide, generally covered with oyster parks).
On these sandy areas, you can collect a host of shellfish, mussels, cockles, clams, crabs...
Several tourist offices propose this trip with expert guides. A participative, family activity to learn a thousand and one things about these crustaceans...
Oh, and don’t worry about the crabs, they’ll be put back in the water at the end of the session!
Andernos-Les-Bains Tourist Office, information on +33 (0)5 56 82 02 95.
Cœur du Bassin Tourist Office, information on +33 (0)5 57 70 67 56.
Gilthead bream
One of the most popular fish in the Bay. For its taste as well as its fighting spirit... “When you’re lucky enough to catch one on your fishing rod, the bream will never give in”, states the guide, Mickaël Jaulard-Lemasson. It mainly swims around oyster park areas, mussel areas too, but also loves the peacefulness of shipwrecks around the Bay.
The “gilthead” is easy to recognize with its famous golden eyebrow right between its two eyes.
Its powerful jaw means it can shred any type of shellfish or crab that crosses its path...
Bass
Without a doubt the fish which fishermen seek the most for its delicious flesh, as well as the sporting atmosphere involved...
It swims in shoals yet the largest bass may also be found alone. Bass are curious but also aggressive because of their need to fight for food, but are also very interested in plastic bait or a yummy little sardine attached to the hook.
Bass can be found pretty much everywhere in and around the Bay. They can measure up to 80 centimetres here in the Bay. A great catch!
Cuttlefish
The presence of cuttlefish in the Bay punctuates the fishing seasons, with their arrival in springtime and then fishing for “casserons” in September, i.e. the local word for the year’s young cuttlefish.
In the Bay, they are caught using trammel nets and traps from springtime onwards. You often see professional fishermen on their small boats fishing for them around the edge of the Dune.
Cuttlefish ink is highly-popular in cooking, in the famous risotto… but it also very often stains Arcachon fishermen and the fish market sellers and stalls.
