Surf Perch

[coxral]

Just tried Surf Perch fishing this weekend at Ocean City for the first time, what a blast! Used Gulp Rubber Sand Shrimp. Only caught 6 ( a couple 10-11"). Must have missed at least 10! and let a couple little one's go. Definitely coming back! Even had a seal watching me.

[pd]

This brings back memories.  My parents took the family to Kalaloch in the 1970s (back then there was only the lodge and an undeveloped camping site right on the beach).  We used to pull worms off the rocks at low tide (worms that live in a long shell--don't know what they are called).  They made great bait.  I know that you can't harvest the worms anymore.

We used to stand out in the surf and cast.  The water was darn cold, but we landed dozens of surf perch.  When you got too cold, just run up the beach to the bonfire built in the driftwood.  Never had so much fun fishing in my life.

[lokidog]

They are tasty fish, wish we had more opportunity for them in the San Juans.  Wher eare the pics?      

[RadSav]

One of my favorite eating fish.  And I think pound for pound one of the best fighters too!  My best luck was using kelp worms or sand fleas.

[sled]

Just tried Surf Perch fishing this weekend at Ocean City for the first time, what a blast! Used Gulp Rubber Sand Shrimp. Only caught 6 ( a couple 10-11"). Must have missed at least 10! and let a couple little one's go. Definitely coming back! Even had a seal watching me.

  We Went To Kalaloch This Year.  Fished With The Power Gulp Worms From Cabelas.  They Were The Red Blood Worms Saltwater Series.  They Worked The Best.
 

[Colin]

Can these be caught inside the Sound or do you have to go out to the coast?

[Kola16]

Can these be caught inside the Sound or do you have to go out to the coast?

They are far and few between in the sound. You can go after pile and striped perch in the sound though. Just fish in the structure with something like small shrimp, worms, and clam necks.

[RadSav]

Can these be caught inside the Sound or do you have to go out to the coast?

They are far and few between in the sound. You can go after pile and striped perch in the sound though. Just fish in the structure with something like small shrimp, worms, and clam necks.

When I was very young my father would take us kids to Hoods Canal for purple stripers.  I remember catching some dandies with my Zebco 202 and solid fiberglass rod.  We would use mussel bits and kelp worms.  Some of my best fishing memories with my dad and brothers. 

[pd]

Kelp worms. That's the name.

RadSav, I used to live in NZ, and the "sand fleas" there are truly the Spawn of Satan. No way you could use them for bait. Can't be the same critter?!?

[RadSav]

This is what our sand flea looks like.  Almost a cross between a flea and a shrimp

[RadSav]

I expect these are what you had in NZ?

[lokidog]

Also known as mole crabs here in the PNW.