Brittany is an exceptional region for fly fishing European seabass. Its seemingly endless coastline, numerous estuaries, sand flats, and islands offer some of the most varied and productive bass habitat in Western Europe.
Images by Jean Babtiste Vidal and Pierre Rigaleau.
Jean-Baptiste Vidal has been targeting sea bass on the fly intensively since 2015. Over the years, he has developed a wide range of techniques for both shore-based and boat fishing, and has become particularly renowned for sight-fishing to large bass—having landed an impressive number of fish exceeding 70 cm.
Guide Service
Jean began fishing at the age of four and took up fly fishing in 1993 after seeing A River Runs Through It, which became a defining inspiration. His first international fly-fishing trip took him to Montana’s Rocky Mountains, the very setting of the film, in 1998.
After studying freshwater conservation, he worked five years for a departmental fishing association and earned his professional guiding certification in 2004. The following summer, he travelled to Iceland to begin his guiding career, where he met Argentine lodge manager Noel Pollak. Noel later recruited him to guide for golden dorado at Pira Lodge in Argentina—launching Jean’s international guiding career in 2005.
From there, Jean guided and managed some of the world’s most prestigious lodges, including Kau Tapen and Villa Maria on the Río Grande (six seasons), Tsimane for dorado (two seasons), and the Ponoi River for Atlantic salmon. His travels in pursuit of new species have taken him to more than twenty countries – including New Zealand, New Caledonia, Seychelles, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Florida, and the Bahamas.
In 2014, after the birth of his daughter, Jean settled back in Brittany and created his guide service, “Enjoy Fishing,” while occasionally hosting international trips for French anglers.
European Seabass
Dicentrarchus labrax – a close relative of the striped bass – is a member of the Moronidae family and shares similar feeding habits. However, European bass grow more slowly, reach smaller maximum sizes, and are often more selective and challenging to catch on fly. They inhabit the Atlantic Ocean but regularly move into estuaries to feed, sometimes pushing far into the lower river reaches unless blocked by natural or man-made barriers.
Spawning takes place offshore from late January through March. As water temperatures rise in late March and early April, bass return to the coast and estuaries. The season typically runs from early spring until Christmas.
There is no single “best” time of year. Spring and autumn offer quieter conditions with fewer tourists, while summer can still produce excellent fishing. November and December bring tougher weather, but also more frequent encounters with large, active fish.
Location
Jean’s guide service is based near Quimper, in southern Brittany—once famous for its salmon rivers and still home to excellent trout streams. As salmon runs declined, Jean began exploring and eventually pioneering fly fishing for sea bass in the region’s estuaries and along the South Brittany coastline.
The area around Quimper offers an extraordinary range of options for European sea bass. While the long stretches of coastline provide productive boat and shore fishing throughout much of the year, the estuaries are where the true giants are most often found. The Goyen, Odet, Aven, Bélon, Laïta, and other estuaries consistently hold large bass feeding in knee-deep water. The experience is reminiscent of permit and bonefish hunting—spotting fish before casting to them.
Depending on conditions, Jean guides either on foot or from his fully-equipped Carolina Skiff. Tides usually offer good opportunities for both approaches.
Access and Accommodation
The Quimper area is easily reached:
- By air: Fly into Brest or Nantes, then rent a car.
- By train: A direct high-speed train links Paris and Quimper in about 3.5 hours.
- From the UK: Ferries to northern Brittany make the onward drive to Quimper straightforward.
Brittany is a popular tourist destination with a wide range of accommodation – from hotels to coastal Airbnbs. Bénodet is a charming and convenient base close to the Odet estuary, while Pont-Aven, Fouesnant, and Riec-sur-Bélon also offer excellent options.
Types of Fishing
Boat Fishing // From Jean’s Carolina Skiff, anglers typically launch at Bénodet on the Odet estuary and begin fishing within minutes. Streamer fishing with floating, intermediate, or sinking lines produces regular catches of bass between 40 and 60 cm (1–5 lb). Anglers cast toward rocky points, beaches, and tidal currents, and occasionally encounter feeding frenzies. The scenery is stunning, and the fish use the tide to fight hard.
Sight Fishing // Jean is widely recognized in France — and perhaps Europe — as a pioneer of sight-fishing for sea bass on fly. Drawing on his experience from the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean, he has discovered numerous locations where bass feed in shallow, crystal-clear water.
He has developed dedicated fly patterns and presentation techniques to consistently target fish from 40 to 70 cm (1–5+ kg). Larger fish are possible; his personal best is an impressive 85 cm (approx. 6–7 kg).
Crab flies are the mainstay, as bass actively hunt green crabs in bays, mudflats, rocky edges, and estuary channels. Shrimp and small baitfish patterns also produce excellent results. Sight fishing in knee-deep water—with bass inspecting, following, and sometimes refusing the fly—delivers pure adrenaline. These fish are spooky, clever, and as moody as any permit.
Sight-Fishing Action
Jean knows his estuaries intimately. Bass ride the rising tide, following crabs that emerge from their hiding places. Walking the edges with a crab fly in hand, anglers must be constantly ready—bass appear and disappear in seconds.
Precise casting is essential. The fly must land exactly where the bass will see it without spooking the fish. Even perfect presentations may be refused, just like permit. Setting the hook requires watching the fish’s mouth or gill flare—there’s often no detectable “take.”
It is a demanding and highly addictive form of fishing, delivering heart-pounding moments as big bass push into less than a foot of water.
Gear
Boat Fishing Setup
- 9 ft rods in 8–9 weight (Jean primarily uses the Sage R8 Salt and Sage Maverick)
- Rio Striper fly lines: mainly intermediate, with floating and fast-sinking lines as needed
- 7–15 cm baitfish patterns tied by Jean—imitating sandeels, pollack, and various coastal baitfish
- Fast-sinking lines often tempt the largest bass.
Sight-Fishing Setup
- 9 ft 8-weight rod for delicate presentations
- Full floating line with long Rio Striper leader and 8 lb fluorocarbon tippet
- Crab, shrimp, baitfish, and even flounder patterns tied by Jean
All tackle is provided.
Information and Contact
Jean-Baptiste Vidal – Enjoy Fishing Brittany
Phone: +33 687 303 456
Website: https://www.enjoyfishingbrittany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanbaptiste.vidal.9
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enjoyfishing.fr/
