Fishing on the mudflats. That might seem like something that’s a world away, but with the mudflats just round the corner, you really ought to give it some serious thought. Fishing at sea is both exhilarating and calming at the same time. For hours on end, you can gaze out over the wild sea in complete tranquillity. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch something tasty for the pan this evening. The conclusion? Sea fishing pays off, in more ways than one.
Beautiful images
If you go for the full experience, you have to get up quite early to go sea fishing. A true sea angler picks his own bait out of the mudflats. This so-called piercing is done at low tide, often before the sun rises. Advantage: it makes for beautiful pictures.
Pierensteken
Of course, you can buy sea bait from a specialist tackle shop and thread it onto your line. But a bit of an adventurer will head out onto the mudflats themselves to catch their own bait. It’s great fun, and all you need is a pitchfork and a small bucket. As you dig, you’ll discover how the seabed is teeming with slimy worm-like creatures. Fresh ragworms and lugworms that fish are only too happy to sink their teeth into. The aim? To find the fattest worm possible, because that’s what the fish love.
“ “Have you ever seen a man so happy with a little worm?” ”
Jan Willem Wijers
Lazy fishermen
Once the little bucket is full enough of bait, it’s time to find a good fishing spot. Somewhere in a quiet spot where the fishing lines can extend far enough out to sea. To increase the chances of a catch, this time there are no fewer than three hooks baited on the line. An anchor weight keeps the line nice and taut in the choppy water. The rods are placed in a rod rest and the fish will – hopefully – do the rest of the work. And the angler? They’re taking a break. A long break. Sea fishing isn’t exactly the most active way to fish. Once everything’s set up, it’s time to wait. A small thermos flask of coffee, a book and a chair are the must-haves for any sea angler. It’s all part of being mindful.
Sea fishing is a treat for food lovers
For foodies who not only love being outdoors but also enjoy tucking into a bit of fish, sea fishing is absolutely brilliant. What could be better than frying your own catch of flatfish in a pan with butter that very same evening? It goes without saying: fishing in the Wadden Sea is well worth it. Even without a fishing rod. Samphire and oysters are there for the taking. And tiny shrimps dart through the salt marsh waters too. You won’t find them any fresher than this at any fishmonger’s. You can, of course, take the oysters home to shuck them properly with the right tools. But for the seasoned outdoor adventurer, a simple car key will sometimes do the trick.
