Morocco's 3500km of coastline is renowned as one of the largest fish rich areas of the Atlantic Ocean. The fishing off the Sahara is one of the richest areas of the world.
With the water between 17.c- 19.c and the day time sun rising the air temperature well into the 30's you have an ideal world.. A two hour drive south from Sidi Ifini is where you will find some of the best beach casting in Morocco.
The small Berber villages which follow the coast, rely on this natural resource as their main food store. From the delights of crab and octopus which are found at low tide in the natural supermarket (open 2 times a day; low tide only) to the sole which is found on the break line shifting through the sand, you have the beach.The setting sun will leave you with memories. Add to this the lack of population and you will understand why this is an area that any fisherman should visit for a few days.
A day on the beach: We spent the first day working our way down the beach fishing the beach break. At low tide it was the bait collection moment...the sea potato is what you have to look for, this salt water algae is found at low tide attached to the rocks. If you stand on the potato it will eject a jet of salt water to let you know that its under your foot.
Attach the potato ! The potato has to be cut off the rock using a sharp knife, then the hard part. Holding the potato in one hand cut open the alge...the smell that flows from the potato will make your stomach churn!! But the pulp in a plastic sealed container and open up the next one! You can understand why the fish are attracted to the soft pulp.... Attach the potato to your hook ( thread the barb through the eye of the potato then wrap the pulp around the hook, wash your hands!)
We spent the day fishing local style: A 4m beach caster, line and reel, lead weight and a bit of plastic is all that is needed. Run the 50g weight up the line (15kg). Attach the piece of plastic bag to the end of the line. (This will stop you losing the weight.) Add the hook 50cm from the weight on a 50 cm trace (10kg).
The night was spent sleeping above the beach. A fire is made, the fresh fish is cooked in the tajine .. eaten then sleep takes over. The day starts early (sun rise) so to bed early. Wake up and mint tea, bread and honey, then back to the beach.
