info on surf perch fishing

[oneshotdon]

Does anyone have any information on catching surf perch...where to go, what to use, anything else that would be helpful...Thank you very much!

[Fast Water]

Re print of a re-print from a previous post.
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The first thing that I look at is the conture of the beach. I am looking for a steeply sloped beach that the waves will break hard on. When the tide is high a "pool" will form at the base of the slope and will allow the fish close and safe access to the food supply which will be washed down the steep slope as the waves churn the sand and the water from the wave retreats.

2. Secondly, at low tide, I look to see what type of invertebrates are available and how prevalent they are. Perch, flounder and other fish know these locations and will congregate in the surf to eat what washes down to them. If you can find a place that has plenty of food and a way to get it to them you will most likely find fish.



Mole Crabs are just about gare-ron-teed as Surf Perch bait but other things will work like various worms (especially those green little millipede looking ones) and shrimp found in the inter-tidal beach zone. I like to use mole crabs that are a little bit smaller that pictured above. Another advantage to Mole Crabs is that their shell will help keep it on the hook.

3. During the low or incoming tide gather up some bait. Keep them fresh in a bucket with sand and sea water. Don't cook them in the sun.

4. The heavier the surf, the heavier gear. The area that I have fished for perch is quite mild and I was able to easily use a 10-20 salmon rod and an 8-12 steelhead rod using 3oz. and 2oz. pyramids respectively with 15# test line. Other areas that I fished near Port Orford and Bandon we brought out the big surf sticks throwing 8 and 10 ounces (or more) using 30# test line.


5. Place a snap swivel on the end of your main line and add the appropriate pyramid sinker. About 18" above the weight tie a small loop in the main line and then another one up another 18". Take two pre-tied leader and hooks (I use them because they are good and I am lazy ) and loop them through the loops in the main line and pull them tight.



I have found that a 1/0 bait holder hook works well. Pierce your mole crab through the center of the back and thread up past the bait holding barbs.

6. Understand that you do not have to try and cast your gear to Japan. These fish are waiting at the bottom of the slope for their dinner to get washed down to them. A significant amount of perch I've caught has been in less than two feet of water and I've caught quite a few in less than one foot of water.

7. Wind, rips, waves and plants can add challenges to your fishing. I hate it when I have 10 or more varieties of marine flora hanging on my line getting caught in the wind and the waves.

8. If you see a seal or sea lion swimming in the surf a few yards out, note that they are fishing for the same prey as you are.


I hope you find a spot to fish and good luck to you.
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[lentz]

P.M. sent....Good info Fast Water. I was asking the same question a few years ago and you sent me the same thing. I actually just sent him the same thing and a couple of other things. The info that you gave me helped us alot and so i say thank-you.

[sealgal2008]

WOW! That is quite a tutorial, if I ever get a chance to go fishing for surf perch I will certainly be looking over the great advice you have posted - THANKS!

Betty

[Fried Oyster]

Originally Posted by Fast Water

About 18" above the weight tie a small loop in the main line and then another one up another 18". __________________

Fast Water, can you describe tying these loops? Is it just a matter of doubling up your line and tying it in a knot? (I've noticed that this is a very weak link in my line when I use a knot this way, but that may be the key to breaking off at your leader not your ML, right? Just wondering.)

Thanks.

FO

[Fast Water]

This got me thinking about my annual "pink" hunt at the end of May when I go on holiday with the family down in the Coos Bay area.

Can't Wait.

This is my two kids and Grandpa.



Note the small amount of surf and the angle of the beach.



Sarah's first surf perch.



The haul.




________________

I love the smell of perch frying in the morning!

[JustCallMeDave]

I use a simple overhand loop myself. Easy to tie, and as we're not talking about lunkers here it'll hold up just fine.

[phamf]

or you can use a 3 way swivel

[Fast Water]

Loops.

No leader involved here. Knot the snap swivel on the main line.

For my general purposes 12 to 15 # line will do just fine.

Here is a fancy way of doing it.



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Just pinch up a loop of line like you are tying a shoe lace.
All I use is step one fron this pic.

[JustCallMeDave]

Weather looks good tomorrow, so I may just head out and see what I can scare up. of course the good tides aren't until next week. The high tides after folks have been clamming are good times to fish.

[Fast Water]

Originally Posted by phamf

or you can use a 3 way swivel

So that's what those little buggers are for....

[TooDrunkToFish]

I post this advice on every thread that asks for surf fishing info. Worth repeating each time:

Do NOT wade into the surf, unless you want to end up in the 6:00 news.

[lentz]

As far as the "loops" are concerned...bi-mart sells a leader that is perfect for this. I bought them before i went and man oh man did it make it easy.

[GraphiteZen]

How large are the "little green worms"? Do they look like a caterpillar? Are there any other types of foods surf perch find at these places?

I am thinking about fly fishing for some. I have a book about fly fishing on the west coast and the author has a section on fishing for perch. Looks like a blast. Does anyone go for them on the fly? Any tips would be great.

[Fish_N_Russ]

Originally Posted by lentz

As far as the "loops" are concerned...bi-mart sells a leader that is perfect for this. I bought them before i went and man oh man did it make it easy.

yeah for like 75 cents you can get one of those crappie rigs pretied with the droppers on it, probably keeps the line from tangling better than just tying loops in the line, but hey whatever works

[JayC]

Originally Posted by TooDrunkToFish

I post this advice on every thread that asks for surf fishing info. Worth repeating each time:

Do NOT wade into the surf, unless you want to end up in the 6:00 news.

[fishboys]

Wade into the surf but keep your wits about you, best on incoming tide. Also on these pre tied crappie rigs, replace them with some size 4 or 6 snelled pre tied eagleclaw hooks, you know the ones that come six to a package and are about six inches long with a tied loop at the end. Much better then the stock rig on those.

If its a wide open bite night crawlers will work just fine. Some days only shrimp will work. I try to have all three baits, clam necks, night crawlers and sandshrimp. The bait that others are talking about might be better but ive never used them so I dont know.

If more info is needed send a PM.

[lentz]

We used sand shrimp but we were told that orange yarn with shrimp scent would also work.

[Fast Water]

Originally Posted by fishboys

Wade into the surf but keep your wits about you, best on incoming tide.

I have never had to get my feet wet for pinks. I have always found them them in about 1 to 2 feet of water. (in the closest breakers)

Originally Posted by fishboys

Also on these pre tied crappie rigs, replace them with some size 4 or 6 snelled pre tied eagleclaw hooks, you know the ones that come six to a package and are about six inches long with a tied loop at the end. Much better then the stock rig on those.

That is what I run through the loops I make in the main line.

[oneshotdon]

Thanks to Fast Water and all the others who shared info. Those pictures are great. It looks like you had a blast!

[HiouchiMike]

Originally Posted by oneshotdon

Thanks to Fast Water and all the others who shared info. Those pictures are great. It looks like you had a blast!

We have found orange scale corkie with touch of shrimp can be killer combo. Perch seem to target orange as sand crab with eggs.

Cheers,
Mike

[JustCallMeDave]

Caught two today, though I was in the wrong spot for most of the trip. The guy in the right spot had 6-8 of them. I do have enough for dinner, though.