Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: ghosthunter on January 20, 2022, 04:09:42 PM

Title: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on January 20, 2022, 04:09:42 PM: I don’t consider myself much of a fisherman. My wife loves to trout fish lakes out of our yaks, so I fish.

Taking the trailer to Pacific Beach end of March. Not even sure surf fishing would be open?
But she would love to try it. Wondering what we would need as far as tackle to surf fish?
Any pointers to get into it. Type of tackle, reels, bait, don’t know a thing about it.

Thanks
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: NRA4LIFE on January 20, 2022, 04:26:58 PM: Surf perch is open. I assume you're staying at the State Park? Go up to the beach access just north of there at Analyde Gap Rd. Start fishing maybe a 1/4 mile north of the access point and work north from there. We use 10' spinning rods with a double hooked rig and a 2-3 oz pyramid sinker. Just google surf perch gear. Clam necks are good along with sand shrimp gulp worms for bait. If you can dig up some sand shrimp at lower tides, those work too. I like to go out at low tide (minus) and find the spits offshore that emerge and start there.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: GWP on January 20, 2022, 05:08:48 PM: https://fishwithjd.com/

He wrote a nice Kindle book that covers all the basics. Good read. Or hit YouTube and type ‘Surf Fishing’. Reading the water, which is covered, is fairly important.
AND, do not EVER turn your back on the ocean.
The gear you already have will work fine. Expect to catch some crab as well.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: GWP on January 20, 2022, 05:12:58 PM: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UHsImxAGYmc

Great way to rig sand shrimp for surf perch if you decide to go that way.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: millerwheeler on January 20, 2022, 07:48:55 PM: Tagging as I haven’t done this since I was a kid and would like to take my boys sometime as well
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on January 20, 2022, 08:16:38 PM: High low rigging. Pyramid or pancake weight 2-3 oz works good. Camo color Gulp sandworms. Clam necks if you’ve got em. Huck it out there and slow retrieve. If the fishing is good, and you hook one, let it soak for a few more seconds to try for a double. Work your way up and down the beach until you run in to them. It’s fun and addicting! Fillet and pan fry in Pride of the West. Yummmm
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Encore 280 on January 20, 2022, 08:25:32 PM: The flat triangle shaped sinkers will hold the bottom and not roll but if there's a good current then they're move unless you go heavy.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on January 20, 2022, 10:19:35 PM: Great info keep it coming.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Parasite on January 21, 2022, 11:52:20 AM: If you want to make it an even better outing, go on low tide days where razor clam season is open as well. Also can bring a net/rake for dungeness crab if you are in the right area to wade for them.

I like starting to fish on the tail end of the outgoing tide, then slack tide, and leave a little while after the tide starts incoming.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: GWP on January 21, 2022, 12:52:17 PM: Crab will 'fairly often' grab your bait even if it is moving. It will feel 'stuck'. Then you reel down, haul back, and when it starts to lessen you reel in pretty fast. Have your measuring tool handy! Crab is open from the beach year round unless there is toxins.
You will also catch Skulpin. Basically a mouth with fins. Nothing to eat on them. If you see seal in the water the bite will probably be 'off'.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Encore 280 on January 21, 2022, 01:15:08 PM: Sculpin/bullheads are good eating if it's a decent sized one. No different than a ling or any of those bottom feeders. Fillet it out and fry it up. :tup:
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Platensek-po on January 21, 2022, 03:17:01 PM: What line/ lb test do you use??
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Parasite on January 21, 2022, 03:33:42 PM: Quote from: Platensek-po on January 21, 2022, 03:17:01 PM
What line/ lb test do you use??

I run 15# braid for my main line, but 10-20# is fine. I've used as light as 6# mono.

For my hi/lo rigs, I usually use 20-25# flourocarbon ... mostly for the stiffness so nothing gets tangled.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Encore 280 on January 21, 2022, 03:43:28 PM: A lot of guys will use a crappie rig setup too. Most sporting good stores will have them but put a bigger hook on it. Don't really need a 10' rod either but they are nice to have for casting out there a ways. I've seen people using regular 8' trout rods and nailing the perch. They hit hard and put up a good fight, fun to play with.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: NRA4LIFE on January 21, 2022, 03:52:40 PM: That's what I use, the pre-fabbed crappie rigs, a 3-way swivel and pyramid sinker.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Encore 280 on January 21, 2022, 04:14:41 PM: I have a 15' surf rod from Cabela's that I was using and they are even fun with that monster but I've switched to a 12' Tica rod that I really like, much lighter and more fun but I don't/can't use 4 or 5oz sinkers like I can with the 15 footer. With the 15 footer I can get the setup way out there in the surf line. Had the second biggest perch at a little over 3lbs at the Long Beach Surf Perch derby one year. My wife buys the WillaBay breading mix from the oyster place out at Nacotta I think it is and we fry them up in that. OMG!! :drool:
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: OutHouse on January 21, 2022, 04:43:00 PM: I've always wanted to try that. Cool to see some dude hanging out knee deep casting way out there and catching fish. A friend saw a guy land a shark doing that one time.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: NRA4LIFE on January 21, 2022, 04:59:54 PM: Another thing, when you haul one in, get your gear right back out immediately. They school, so when there's one, there's almost always more.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: fowl smacker on January 21, 2022, 05:36:56 PM: You don't need a long rod. An 8'6 or 9' steelhead rod is perfect. Also, most people will over cast them by a long ways. You don't need to cast much further than 20-60ft.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: HntnFsh on January 21, 2022, 05:56:58 PM: They make incredible fish tacos!
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: KFhunter on January 21, 2022, 06:08:39 PM: Quote from: fowl smacker on January 21, 2022, 05:36:56 PM
You don't need a long rod. An 8'6 or 9' steelhead rod is perfect. Also, most people will over cast them by a long ways. You don't need to cast much further than 20-60ft.

OMG! so me ripping it out hard as I could sending my weight (and bait) to the deep blue (no longer attached to my line) wasn't necessary?
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Parasite on January 21, 2022, 06:13:57 PM: Quote from: KFhunter on January 21, 2022, 06:08:39 PM
Quote from: fowl smacker on January 21, 2022, 05:36:56 PM
You don't need a long rod. An 8'6 or 9' steelhead rod is perfect. Also, most people will over cast them by a long ways. You don't need to cast much further than 20-60ft.

OMG! so me ripping it out hard as I could sending my weight (and bait) to the deep blue (no longer attached to my line) wasn't necessary?

If you are having fun and catching fish, who are we to tell you no. But yeah, you dont need to cast far. I usually either try to keep it in the troughs, and make adjustments until I find the zone the fish are in.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: NRA4LIFE on January 21, 2022, 06:13:59 PM: Nope, have caught them 10 feet from me a few times.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: GWP on January 21, 2022, 07:14:06 PM: Yeah. I was going to mention that most are caught fairly close, but some bigger ones ‘may’ be had out further.
Your fave shorter light gear rod will work fine. I usually use an ounce or less. Have some longer VERY soft rods, but it is mostly because I tend to pull too hard on the set, so with a soft rod I don’t yank the hook out, plus I can keep a little tension on the hook when/if they shake. Do the same for my downriggers.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Alchase on January 21, 2022, 08:35:28 PM: The Pacific Beaches above Klaloch use to to great surf fishing. Same with Ruby beach. I use to prefer areas that had rock formations near by over the sandy beaches. We use to use Pile worms when we could get them. They seamed to be the most productive. Clam necks are also great and the stay on the hook really good. If you have never caught a good sized perch on light steelhead gear, you would be in for a treat. They are very good fighters!
I landed a 70# skate off Klaloch beach using 7’ steelhead medium action and a Mitchel 300, with 20# test. I was using whole squid as bait.
There was a good sized crowd of smelt dippers gathered around to see what it was. It took 50 minutes to get it to the beach.
:chuckle:

I have not surf fished in years, if you can use plastic baits, like others have suggested, that would be awesome!
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: GWP on January 21, 2022, 08:51:56 PM: You can. I bought two boxes from a Pro Bass guy and cut them into strips or use whole. They work good.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Alchase on January 21, 2022, 09:59:08 PM: Quote from: GWP on January 21, 2022, 08:51:56 PM
You can. I bought two boxes from a Pro Bass guy and cut them into strips or use whole. They work good.

Nice that would be a game changer!
I swear we spent half our time fishing on credit. Pile worms were great bait, but they sure did not stay on the hook long.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on January 21, 2022, 11:03:00 PM: So I been watching videos. And every one is wearing full body waders. I have a couple pair of hip waders. Will they work?
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Alchase on January 21, 2022, 11:32:36 PM: We use to to wear cut off shorts and no shoes!
But that was in the spring and summer, when you would only freeze what you owned, when the bite was not hot !

:chuckle:
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: GWP on January 22, 2022, 02:14:32 AM: Quote from: ghosthunter on January 21, 2022, 11:03:00 PM
So I been watching videos. And every one is wearing full body waders. I have a couple pair of hip waders. Will they work?

Yes. The problem is you are in the surf. If you get a wave that is taller than the rest of the group you will have less time to get away than you think and could get swamped. Really, the majority of the time I am only in to my knees. BUT, and it is a BIG but, I wear chest waders and had a ‘sneaker’ wave that was OVER the top of my chest waders. It carried me in to the shore from where I was standing. Scared the crap out of me. The returning water was almost worse as it was dragging me down the shore even after waddling with the current to get as far up as I could.
“The ocean don’t play!”
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Parasite on January 22, 2022, 08:12:40 AM: I wet wade sometimes if it's not too cold out. The bite was hot those days.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: C-Money on January 22, 2022, 08:25:48 AM: I really want to try this sometime!!
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: KFhunter on January 22, 2022, 08:44:09 AM: Last time I surf fished was in Florida, used a cast net to get mullets for bait then cast way out. Never knew what you'd catch
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Encore 280 on January 22, 2022, 09:13:55 AM: Chest waders are the way to go, you stay nice and warm. If you go that route just make sure you wear a snug belt around the middle so if you do get swamped your waders won't fill you up and you end up being a statistic. Wearing hip boots, you'll end up filling them with water in no time, it just happens. Even in waders I rarely go out passed my knees, mostly just for a cast then work my way back to where I'm about to my knees again. Never take your eyes off the surf, it will get you.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Smossy on January 22, 2022, 11:30:10 AM: Also to add, you would really be surprised how close they actually are to shore in the little shallows. You don't need to wade way out.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on January 22, 2022, 03:45:21 PM: Picked up a couple ten foot poles with reels today, hooks,swivels, line.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on March 28, 2022, 10:50:44 PM: Well down fishing now. Caught 4 today. Rain and stormy.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on March 28, 2022, 10:54:41 PM: My tactic today was. Hip waders ,run out knee high cast out 3 oz weight far as I could run back to shallow with bail open than tighten up. Got one Wave over my boot but not too bad.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: huntnphool on March 28, 2022, 11:32:36 PM: It can be fun. :tup:
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Parasite on March 29, 2022, 10:59:51 PM: Surf fished today. Fished 2 hours, but the bite only lasted the first 30 minutes I was there. Landed 4 redtail surf perch, missed about 8 more bites. Also landed 3 dungeness crabs.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Jingles on March 30, 2022, 06:24:09 AM: Oh to be able to surf fish for blues and spainish mackerel, fill a large cooler with blues in a short morning. Just don't try to lip anything
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Woodchuck on March 30, 2022, 07:10:54 AM: Quote from: Jingles on March 30, 2022, 06:24:09 AM
Oh to be able to surf fish for blues and mackerel, fill a large cooler with blues in a short morning. Just don't try to lip anything
:yeah: I love surf fishing... In North Carolina... in 80 degree water. :tup:
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Jingles on March 30, 2022, 07:20:18 AM: Quote from: Woodchuck on March 30, 2022, 07:10:54 AM
Quote from: Jingles on March 30, 2022, 06:24:09 AM
Oh to be able to surf fish for blues and mackerel, fill a large cooler with blues in a short morning. Just don't try to lip anything
:yeah: I love surf fishing... In North Carolina... in 80 degree water. :tup:

Wearing cut offs no shirt and a cooler of beverages on the beach
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: KFhunter on March 30, 2022, 08:18:26 AM: I really enjoyed surf fishing in Florida, never knew what you'd catch, 30lb red, baby shark, something bright blue that spooled you....
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: ghosthunter on March 30, 2022, 09:35:47 PM: Anyone know if you can catch surf perch at Fort Casey?

Going there in three weeks.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: fastdam on April 12, 2022, 07:38:28 PM: Are there fish out farther? If a guy could get his line out there, say, 600 yards? What is out there?
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: NW SURVEYOR on April 12, 2022, 08:04:41 PM: Japan if you cast far enough!
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Alchase on April 12, 2022, 08:08:10 PM: Quote from: fastdam on April 12, 2022, 07:38:28 PM
Are there fish out farther? If a guy could get his line out there, say, 600 yards? What is out there?

Are you using a drone?

:chuckle:
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Parasite on April 12, 2022, 08:45:01 PM: Quote from: fastdam on April 12, 2022, 07:38:28 PM
Are there fish out farther? If a guy could get his line out there, say, 600 yards? What is out there?

Geez, and I thought bringing up a halibut or ling cod from 600 feet was bad enough.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: fastdam on April 12, 2022, 08:58:20 PM: I'm considering using a drone. Yes
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Alchase on April 13, 2022, 06:51:44 PM: Quote from: fastdam on April 12, 2022, 08:58:20 PM
I'm considering using a drone. Yes

I would watch it!
LOL
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: Jake Dogfish on April 14, 2022, 03:22:41 PM: I think using a drone could end up in a disaster.
I tried a remote control boat once, it worked but i didn’t catch anything.
I had a idea for a sort of invention I call a “sinking bobber”. It’s a plastic bottle with holes in the top end that would float out with the wind and or current and sink quickly once it gets full of water.
I made a couple prototypes I just need a windy day to try it off a jetty. I think it would work well with those cast-able crab traps or fishing as well.
Title: Re: Surf Fishing ??
Post by: KFhunter on April 14, 2022, 03:59:00 PM: Drones aren't a new idea, you can buy releases for just this purpose.