Surf Perch Help

[Practical Approach]

I have combed through past threads and garnered good information.  However, if anyone has been out lately, could you please give me some tips.  Good spots, baits, tides, tackle etc.  I have a buddy that is dying to try it while I am on the fence.  Seems like a lot of work for a small fish.  How realistic is it to get a limit?

Thanks

[Practical Approach]

I guess perch isn't that exciting. 

[TheHunt]

Here is what I would recommend.  Go talk to Jordan Inglin at Sportco in Fife.  He can help you with bait.
I personally like the green gulp grub.  I like finding structure (ROCKS) to cast into. 

I hate using bobbers but It does save you for gear loss.  But just casting in the surf you are blindly guessing there are fish out there.  So I would recommend you also be able flexible to moving.  The Jetty is also a good place but think like a fish. 

[WSU]

I haven't gone for a few years.  But, if you find the right spot, getting a limit is very doable.  Gear is easy and I'm sure you've found it in your search.  I've had good luck with worms, shrimp, and clam necks.  The latter is most durable and worked great.  A beach with some bottom contour is important.  There are some fish randomly scattered in the surf but there are a lot more in places where the bottom funnels food.  Look for troughs at low tide and read the surf to find deep spots.

[Practical Approach]

Great, these are the tips I was looking for.

[waoutdoorsman]

Last Summer I did really well on surf perch off the south jetty at westport, if your only after surf perch you don't have to walk out too far, i just used some prawn chunks on 2' to 3' leader and flung it out a little bit and let the tide drift it back into the rocks. Caught a few Nice sized surf perch but most of them were on the smaller side, although when i make the drive down to the jetty i only focus on surf perch on my way back after fishing for other species further out.

Caution though, if there is any type of perciptation in the air, or any moisture on the rocks, dont go out on the jetty its not worth the risk in my opinion, those rocks get slippery than snot. Always keep an eye on the forecast, the weather can change and you dont want be caught too far out there, and always keep an eye on the water for sneaker waves, it can be good fishing but can be dangerous too if you let your gaurd down.

I've also done well fishing from the beach near ocean shores using the same set up, but i use clam necks there because theyre more durable and can take a lot of abuse casting and tumbling around in the surf

[lokidog]

If fishing the beach, don't spend too much time in an area with no bites.  This would be my suggestion from my limited time fishing for them.

[Bofire]

Once you catch some, they are WAY better eating than any trout, my 2 cents.
One of the best eating fish there is, along with Black bass and a few others, I'd take them over Salmon anytime.
Carl

[h2ofowlr]

The mistake I see some do when the tide is out is try to cast way to far out.  I have my best luck casting over the first breaker, Roller.  Some try to cast it 2-4 rollers back.  Watch how the tide is working.  I drive the beach looking for the funnels and that is where you will catch them.  Clam necks are the ticket as they don't wash off and will take the pecking of the smaller fish.

[duckmen1]

When you say you drive looking for funnels what do you mean exactly?

[h2ofowlr]

When you say you drive looking for funnels what do you mean exactly?

When you watch the tide roll in and out you will notice spots where the waves are rolling in from the left and the next set is rolling in from the right.  They come to a central point where they peter out pretty much.  It kind of forms a funnel or a V up onto the beach.  I usually try to stand off to the side of it and fish it as it passes.  I will cast out over the first breaker, which could be 20 yards in some instances.  This "V" or funnel will create a calm back eddie until it goes back out.  I cast into that location and usually pick the fish up fairly quickly.  You can definitely out fish those that just roll up to the beach and pitch it way out.
Almost like casting a jig in front of a rip "rock" on the river and drifting around it.  You will pick your fish up on the down stream side of it in many cases.

[fowl smacker]

I also drive the beach at low tide looking for low spots and funnels.  I place a stick in the sand a little way up from the surf at each spot I like, that way when the tide comes back in, I know exactly where the spots are.  Clam necks are my favorite bait.  Don't cast far, most of the fish are in 2-3' of water.

[duckmen1]

Great info guys. Last trip I took I actually was into a lot of fish. But landing was an issue. Landed 11 but lost about 25. Think my hooks were to small. I was using size 4-8 bait holder hooks. But oddly enough clam necks would not work for me. I found artificial baits to be working better on that trip. Kept my hooks 2-3 feet up the main line for best results. And had about 2 ounces of lead and let it drift similar to fishing the river and when it hit the slack pockets like h2o was talking about it was fish on.

[Practical Approach]

Thanks for all of the good information.  What size and type hook is best.  How about weights. I read they have soft mouths and can be tricky to set the hook and keep them on.  Any techniques that work best for getting them to the beach?

[buckhorn2]

Digging clams at grayland I talked to a guy fishing them in the surf and he had five nice perch I don't know what the limit is. The guy said he fishs them a lot and was using a 12 foot light spinning rod with 10 pound braided line and had a sinker on the bottom and one hook by the weight and anther about guessing 18 inchs above that and was using some gulp bait he could cast out a long ways and he said he liked it close to low water so he could spot the little troughs between the waves. He was about a mile above the grayland beach approach and there were several more people fishing as we drove down the beach.

[Dhoey07]

Try digging some sandshrimp for bait while you're down there

[h20hunter]

Also, check out YouTube.....there appear to be some pretty good tutorial vids on there.

[Encore 280]

Some guys in Long Beach use a "crappie rig". I used to use one but went back to just tying a couple figure 8 loops about 16-18 inches apart up from the sinker and I think I use a #2 hook. I use anywhere from a 3oz to 5oz. depending on the current. They don't have tender mouths. The little buggers will hit hard and get your attention really quick and they're blast to catch on light gear. Good luck

[sled]

This is the only gear I have used. I do well.   I tie up same way.  Weight on bottom then two hooks above it.
I use 1 1/2 or 2 oz weights.  I like to let the current sweep it in to the side.  I like the bait to cover more ground slowly with the current.
We are leaving today, and probably fish tommorow.

[Becky]

My dad makes it look flawless... go out for razor clam digging on the low tide, snip the necks and put on the waders and walk out into the waves to his thighs on the incoming tide... and about an hour later he's got his limit.  lol..

[coxral]

The mistake I see some do when the tide is out is try to cast way to far out.  I have my best luck casting over the first breaker, Roller.  Some try to cast it 2-4 rollers back.  Watch how the tide is working.  I drive the beach looking for the funnels and that is where you will catch them.  Clam necks are the ticket as they don't wash off and will take the pecking of the smaller fish.

  I use pyramid weights and rubber shrimp pieces. I've only fished Ocean City beach where we used to stay. Did well.

[fishnfur]

For a different attack, try fly fishing.  A Clouser Minnow patterned after a small shrimp on a sinking line can kill them.  As others said, look for rips in the current, where the water appears to run out between two areas where waves break (on each side of it).  Surfers use these rips to paddle out easily without having to battle the waves.  For the fish, they sometimes sit on the edges and pick off the groceries going by.  2 -4 feet deep is often fine for many fish.  No muss, no fuss.  Keep a tight line and feel for the bite.

Keep moving if you're not getting bit. 

Nothing but Halibut, Lings and True Cod are better than salmon in my book - and I change that opinion every time I eat salmon.