The old woman, a fish with rainbow colors

Bruno Garcia of the Charente-Maritime fishing federation tackles a fish with pretty colors on France Bleu la Rochelle: the Old woman who, as Michel SARDOU sang, has cherries on her hat the old woman?

Bruno Garcia : No, she doesn’t have a bike either. It is a fish from our old Atlantic Ocean. A very pretty fish with the colors of the rainbow. It can be brown with yellow and green spots, red reflections and very regularly on our ribs, lips and a blue palate. It is not uncommon for it to reach the weight of 2 to 3 kg.

We find it everywhere on our coasts?

Not everywhere, it is nicknamed the queen of kelps and rocks. It particularly likes areas rich in seagrass with lots of relief. The holes between the rocks serve as a refuge and a post to ambush and wait for its prey.

A nice line shot?

Many sensations, the first start is very violent. It is also at this precise moment that she manages to return to her den if you do not restrain her. Anglers are often disappointed when they see this fish come to the surface. The fight delivered by an old woman is surprising in the first seconds, we expect a much bigger fish because the battle is so violent. With the exception of a few thrill-seeking fishermen, we are not looking for the old woman in particular. Its capture is accidental and as I told you a little disappointing. Given the power with which it is endowed, one expects a pretty bar which is much better received on the plate.

Not terrible to taste?

It can be used to make fumet or fish soup. I know some who prepare it as a carpaccio. We cut very thin strips of flesh and let them marinate for several hours in olive oil, lemon juice, a little chives and a few white onions. It is surely the preparation that remains the most rewarding.

Other particularities?

The old one has oversized teeth. We usually say that they are similar to the teeth of the cat. Anglers fear the teeth of this fish. It reduces any soft lure to mush without difficulty. Those who seek it specifically use very resistant lures, the ideal being the metal lure. And finally when it is not too big it is the king of the live. It is a fish that does not have a regulatory size that can be used to search for all marine predators. The vigor of the old, always in motion particularly attracts the bar which is fond of it.

An information

The uprooting of water primrose, this undesirable plant, began last Monday on the Marans-La Rochelle canal. These works are planned for the entire 22 km of the Marans canal up to the town of Périgny. They should last for about 1 month.


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