Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Pete112288 on June 15, 2023, 04:02:00 PM

Title: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: Pete112288 on June 15, 2023, 04:02:00 PM: Headed to the Long Beach tomorrow, I have wanted to try surf perch fishing for a long time. Well this chance came last minute. Going a day early for a charter I am going on in the area so I can try it. Got the gear figured out, all besides amount of line. Is 150 yards enough on the reel? I got braid to use but only in 150 yard spools. Should I be alright? At least for this one trip?
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 15, 2023, 04:13:58 PM: Yes, that is plenty. If your beach fishing, bring the waders and keep an eye on the slack tide times. I like fishing an hour before and hour after as you go through slack. Find the points in the beach and I usually cast just past the first set of waves. Make sure you have some good weights, triangles or flats to hold you. I believe I was running 4oz-6oz on my last outting. Clam necks work good along with the Berkley sand dab worms.
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: Parasite on June 15, 2023, 11:29:50 PM: Casts are generally 50 yards or less, so you should be fine.
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: GWP on June 16, 2023, 08:35:03 AM: That SHOULD be enough line.
BUT:
If you are casting the heavier weights (3+ OZ) and you cast hard, you may spool yourself. You really don't need to go way out.
I have used 1-2 most of the time and done well. A sinker flattened with a hammer to make it flat works if you don't have a pyramid weight.
As said, clam necks and Berkley Sand Worms work good. Sand shrimp work good but are soft and do not last long.
I have caught a limit using just 2 clam necks. They are tough.
Good Luck!
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: Kola16 on June 17, 2023, 12:49:50 AM: Quote from: GWP on June 16, 2023, 08:35:03 AM
That SHOULD be enough line.
BUT:
If you are casting the heavier weights (3+ OZ) and you cast hard, you may spool yourself. You really don't need to go way out.
I have used 1-2 most of the time and done well. A sinker flattened with a hammer to make it flat works if you don't have a pyramid weight.
As said, clam necks and Berkley Sand Worms work good. Sand shrimp work good but are soft and do not last long.
I have caught a limit using just 2 clam necks. They are tough.
Good Luck!
You can cast a football field and a half? That is a bomb!

To the OP, 150 yds is plenty for me, but I would make sure my reel is full which allows me to cast further. You can use mono of any weight as backing and then use your 150 yards of braid on top.
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: GWP on June 17, 2023, 07:35:06 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on June 17, 2023, 12:49:50 AM
Quote from: GWP on June 16, 2023, 08:35:03 AM
That SHOULD be enough line.
BUT:
If you are casting the heavier weights (3+ OZ) and you cast hard, you may spool yourself. You really don't need to go way out.
I have used 1-2 most of the time and done well. A sinker flattened with a hammer to make it flat works if you don't have a pyramid weight.
As said, clam necks and Berkley Sand Worms work good. Sand shrimp work good but are soft and do not last long.
I have caught a limit using just 2 clam necks. They are tough.
Good Luck!
You can cast a football field and a half? That is a bomb!

To the OP, 150 yds is plenty for me, but I would make sure my reel is full which allows me to cast further. You can use mono of any weight as backing and then use your 150 yards of braid on top.

The casting world record is over 300 yards. Not saying I can do that, but with a bit of wind at my back I have cast a very long ways, AND spooled a reel with 150 yards on it complete with a snap off. So, yes, it can be done.
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: Pete112288 on June 18, 2023, 11:39:01 PM: Thanks everyone for the responses. As it turns out, I misread the tides and had a bunch of time to kill :chuckle:
Had a lot of nibbles, caught 4 tiny ones, about 3 inches each. Had a great time. Was a fun experience for me and I will do it again and look at the right tides next time.
And yes, I had plenty of line. The only thing I did end up wishing I had remembered to get was those little crappie rig spreader things. the line twist and tangles got serious a time or two.
Ended up switching to a carolina rig style and did just as well with it but with less tangles.
Title: Re: How much line for surf perch?
Post by: GWP on June 19, 2023, 05:20:34 PM: Yeah, drop shot with 2 hooks tied direct with a short 2"-3" is my go to now days. I started using pyramid or flat weights from 1-5 oz, or egg sinkers in the same weight. Fun to try new stuff of just change up, but the drop shot is where I have gotten most of my fish.
This guy has an informative Surf Perch booklet you can download on Kindle. It has a lot of good info and tips. He also has vids on YouTube with pretty much the same info.
J.D. Richey