surf fishing for perch. or sturgeon?

[Nestookher]

Got any tips out there for perch fishng from the beach?
we gave it a try Sunday, only had clams from the freezer for bate and maybe a little too big of a hook set up, sure was nice weather. Did hook something bigg that sped off out of the hole past the breakers to deeper water before I put the brakes on and broke off my 20# leader. any suggestions welcome. thanks....... :shocked:

[Nestookher]

I am not giving up on the perch till I catch some, but I will tell you that fish that took off to the breakers had a good sized tail that came up before it broke off. Don't the sturgeon migrate up and down the coast and come into the bays in February. :smile:

[fishboys]

I have caught alot of perch in the surf on long beach fish it on a incoming tide and fish 2 or three hooks above your wieght (not sure of the name of these rigs but you can buy them pre tied )use sand shrimp or clams for bait and use a rod that you can cast a long way out and let her rip. you might even reel in a keeper crab or a flounder or who knows what else. good luck

[FisherJack]

Would the pre-tied rigs you speak of be called crappie rigs? I have used those before above a pyramid sinker.

[ssteelheadsteve]

Get a medium action 10-12' rod. Alvey reel.40lb braided line. size 6 bait without barbs.
Get on my mailing list I will have a couple perch clinics on the Coast this year.

[fishboys]

FisherJack, those are the ones, work great for surf fishing

[barnacle]

Could well of been a stripped bass. They are known to cruise in the surf zone.
Barnacle

[Fossil]

I always fish the surf, usually in the Ocean Park area. The crappie rigs work well. I have tried a better steelhead type hook but the perch don't get the hook in their mouth. Take a 5 gal bucket with you, makes it easier to take the crab back to the house. Never had anything pick it up and run, now I'll keep my drag set.

[TooDrunkToFish]

... I will tell you that fish that took off to the breakers had a good sized tail that came up before it broke off. Don't the sturgeon migrate up and down the coast and come into the bays in February.

Your big fish could have been any number of different species (in addition to sturgeon and striped bass) that can be caught from the shoreline. Some examples: sandshark (dogfish), skate, ling cod, and even steelhead.

I have heard of an occasional incidental steelhead being caught off WA shorelines, while surfishing, on baits such as clam necks. I once caught a ling cod on a piece of shrimp--the big fish took off and easily broke my line with its big sharp teeth. A skate is a real bad-a$$ on hook and line as well. Makes surf fishing exciting.

[unnamed]

I like to dig up my own sand crabs, pin them on a #6 hook, then fire them out into the surf line. Good light-tacke fun.

[Nestookher]

Thanks for all the tips, and I can remember getting those sand crabs for dad for fishing off the rocks, when I was small. I will look for some herring jigs and get back at it. Ya,never know what your gonna get off the beach.