There's never a bad time to fish from the shore in Guernsey as we hold such a wide variety of species in our waters. From Bass to Ballan Wrasse and Grey Mullet to the good old reliable Garfish there's a selection of species for every season.

More recently the increase in water temperatures has secured a good quantity of Black Bream all year around while Bass appear to be prolific around our coastline throughout the angling year.

If you're after an unforgettable trip then Guernsey is the destination for you due to the number of highly prolific shore venues that store a large variety of species.

As the Bailiwick of Guernsey holds approximately one fifth of all British Shore Records you can rest assured that that a potential new personal best is just one small cast away.

Guernsey shore fishing can be approached using a number of different angling methods and techniques which means you can travel as light as you want when you come over.

To catch one of these silver torpedoes’ off the shore would certainly give you the right to be called an angler. Our beaches are perfect with a mixture of sand, kelp and rocks which provide the ideal habitat for these magnificent creatures. Most caught tend to be around the 3lb upwards and double figure fish are not unusual.

They can be caught all year round with November to May producing the biggest specimens. Spinning with plugs is very popular, baits used can vary from big Peelers and Mackerel heads for winter and early spring, live Sandeels and Ragworm for the rest of the season.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^

Great fun on light gear, often caught when shirvying (local groundbait) up for Mullet in deeper water and will quite happily take the bread bait you put out for that Thick Lipped. Will take most baits when bottom fishing but has a preference for small slivers of squid.

Most productive time for this species is from around September through to December, tend to be around 1lb to 2lb mark but bigger specimens are not uncommon.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^

For the light tackle fanatic this is a match made in heaven, all you need is fresh water gear, a loaf of bread and wherever the sea touches the shore line.
This species are with us all through the year but prime time is from Sept to May when they come inshore to spawn.

Size tends to be around the 3lb mark but certainly winter/spring fish will go above 5/6lb. A number of local anglers have caught fish over the 8lb mark and fish in excess of 11lb have been landed previously.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^

A much prized autumn fish with an appetite for small harbor ragworms, will take other baits such as kingrag and razorfish. Is a bottom feeder, and has a liking for a mixture of sand and rocky beaches.

This species are known to shoal into many of our West coast bays from September onwards. A specimen would be around 2lb plus but most caught tend to be below that.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^

Many anglers can go through their whole lives without catching one of these prized flatfish. However, Bailiwick waters can produce these on occasion in size and quantity and indeed the British Record is held by the neighboring island of Alderney.

Though it is a brave angler who specifically targets this species, they frequent many sandy zones that fish such as Red Mullet and Bream are regularly caught.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^

You will need to make sure you bring strong, good quality hooks, if you want to focus your attention on the boisterous Trigger for he is admirable adversary that will make short work of weak hooks and light tackle.

August through to October are the key months for this species and they can be caught in quantity in the right conditions. Over 200 were landed in an open competition during September 2007 and most were returned alive.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^

A good all rounder for youngsters to learn their angling skills on, the Channel isle’s are noted for regularly producing specimens, specimens being fish over 4lb.
Good strong tackle needed to take on these fighters, can be caught on float gear but leger more effective.

Ragworm will keep the smaller fish coming but if you are after the specimens then hard back crab is the best bait, Wrasse can be caught all year round off our shores.

The Bailwick has probably seen more 8lb fish than the rest of the UK put together a quick snorkeling session will show you why. The underwater terrain is simply superb for big bold Ballans.

Chance

Ease of fishing

Eating

Back to top ^