Surf Perch

[22shtur]

When is the best time to fish for surf perch, low tide or high tide?
What months are the best?
I'm looking at fishing around Copalis beach. TIA

[HntnFsh]

Find the dips and valleys at low. Fish them at high.

[Mfowl]

Incoming and through the high tide is said to be the best. I usually start at the low and keep on fishing. Fresh sand shrimp has far outfished gulp baits for me. Pretty sure they are available year round but I only have targeted them after clamming in the spring. They do spawn in the freshwater inlets in the spring/early summer.

[h2ofowlr]

Typically fish the incoming tide through slack.  Clam necks have been a good choice as they will tear off bait quickly.  usually toss out 4-5 oz flat weight or triangles with a few hook setups above.  i started using the stainless steel crappie spreaders to keep my gear from tangling as well.

[Wolfdog2314]

Fish for perch anytime there’s a clam dig! Extends the trip and makes it that much more worth the drive!

If you want the east option for bait, camo color Berkeley Gulp sand worms. 2 inch size. I do just as good on these as others with clam necks. At least I feel like I do!

https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Saltwater-Fishing-SANDWORM-GSSW2-C/dp/B07BPD126S/ref=asc_df_B07BPD126S?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80127027724200&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726554021774&psc=1

[Alchase]

Fish for perch anytime there’s a clam dig! Extends the trip and makes it that much more worth the drive!

If you want the east option for bait, camo color Berkeley Gulp sand worms. 2 inch size. I do just as good on these as others with clam necks. At least I feel like I do!

https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Saltwater-Fishing-SANDWORM-GSSW2-C/dp/B07BPD126S/ref=asc_df_B07BPD126S?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80127027724200&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726554021774&psc=1

I always used pile worms and clam necks. Pile worms were the best bait but harder than o keep on your hook. Horse clam necks stay on the hook really well, and you can slide them up the shank basically hiding the hook.

I have never tried Power baits, but if they work then they would sure be a heck of a lot easier than to use then going through a whole bucket of pile worms. 

[Parasite]

My favorite spot fishes very well +/- 1.5hrs around low slack. I try going on a very low tide so I can also go for razor clams to make it more worthwhile. I'll also pump up sand shrimp while I'm there. Gulp sandworms, razor clams, sand shrimp all make great bait. I usually like clam necks the best due to durability. I also will usually get into a few dungeness crabs, mussels, and percebes.

[mnb300]

Ocean Shores... on slack tide using sand shrimp.

[mnb300]

February to April is the best months.

[BigGoonTuna]

Raw prawn chunks work well too. I like to use a 2 hook rig, one hook with bait and the other with soft plastic (like a gulp worm) so I’m still fishing if I lose my bait. They travel in schools so doubles are pretty common.

[cjjcb]

This past early August we caught a few slabs fishing 2" gulp camo sandworms down at Long Beach. I think it was low tide and the place had maybe a dozen other fisherman. Everyone seemed to be getting a couple. I just started fishing these guys myself a few years ago and I'm still trying to dial it in. From what I've read, I don't know if there is a bad month... Just as long as the surf isn't too crazy and yer weight can stick without rolling down the beach...

Good Luck!

[C-Money]

I really want to try this....

[Alchase]

Ocean Shores... on slack tide using sand shrimp.

Nice fish fry !

[BTStewart]

Lots of good advice already. One thing I would add, I have always done best on surf perch fishing near where a creek or small river enters the ocean.

[22shtur]

Being an east sider, what is/when is a slack tide.

[Jake Dogfish]

Being an east sider, what is/when is a slack tide.

The pause between tides. He didn’t say wether it was high or low slack. 

[Bullkllr]

Being an east sider, what is/when is a slack tide.

Slack tide is generally that period in the tide cycle when the tide reaches it's full stage -either full high or full low- prior to shifting back the other direction. For a short period (depending on location) the tide goes "slack" and doesn't really flow in or out for a bit before it reverses direction.

In the case above, I would like to know if that pile of perch were caught at high slack or low slack; there's often a big difference between the two for fishing purposes.

edit:

Being an east sider, what is/when is a slack tide.

The pause between tides. He didn’t say wether it was high or low slack. 

That's the concise version.

[ghosthunter]

I tried this last year a Pacific Beach. First time caught surf perch using GulpSandworms. Tons of YouTube video on surf perch fishing.

Going again this year for a week end of March.

[ghosthunter]

Getting loaded up to leave on this trip. Last year I used the High Low set up.
This year I am going to try a Carolina Rig and some fresh bait off the beach.

[Twispriver]

I hope you post your results - I'm interested in this 

[GWP]

This guy’s pamphlet is very good. Available on Kindle.