Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: AKBowman on January 20, 2012, 12:36:47 AM

Title: Surf Perch
Post by: AKBowman on January 20, 2012, 12:36:47 AM: Was thinking of doing a clam dig / surf perch fishing trip during the next clam tide. Anyone have any reports on the surf perch fishing lately? Thinking LB or Ocean Shores.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: dreamunelk on January 20, 2012, 05:35:13 AM: Digging should be good if the weather cooperates. Kind of the wrong time of year for perch. They are there but, not in the densities of spring and summer. If you go to open sores check Damon point for cart tracks. That is a good sing the locals are fishing out there. Drive the main beach looking for the fishermen too. If you find them then you likely found the fish. There is a mixed group of retired guy's out there that have it dialed in. As for long beach call some of the local shops for info.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: BigGoonTuna on January 20, 2012, 08:39:27 AM: i usually catch bigger ones in the winter, vs the little runts i get in the summer. fishing's usually a lot slower though, fishing half a day for a couple of bites. not to mention the weather is a lot crappier.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: buckhorn2 on January 20, 2012, 08:55:06 AM: Might need some tall waders for clamming and a long pole for perch there will be a 20 foot swell saturday with 25-35 miles of wind.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Encore 280 on January 20, 2012, 09:30:51 AM: Some mighty fine tasting fish there. :tup: We go down to LB for the derby in May and get a few for the fryin pan. :drool:
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: TheHunt on January 20, 2012, 09:38:42 AM: I have never serf fished. Sounds like some fun there
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Hornseeker on January 20, 2012, 09:54:15 AM: I know one thing, its better than sitting on the couch! Although, 20 foot swells with the heavy wind would SUCK. I'd think the clamming would be near impossible.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Encore 280 on January 20, 2012, 09:55:25 AM: It's a blast!! Those little buggers are hard hitters and ya know when ya got one on too!! Get's your attention. They're a real kick in the pants when you're into a school. :tup:
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Holg3107 on January 20, 2012, 10:03:11 AM: The wife and I will be heading to Mocrocks beach for the february clam dig and this got me excited. If anyone has info on a rig/bait setup that would be helpful. Im more of a bass fisherman but this seems like a fun way to kill a few hours. Im thinking something like a dropshot or carolina rig with a piece of squid on it?
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Encore 280 on January 20, 2012, 10:22:44 AM: I think you can google "long beach surf perch" and it'll explain how they do it down there. I could post some pictures but I have to go and resize.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Holg3107 on January 20, 2012, 10:40:31 AM: http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Surf_fishing.htm

Just found this link, seems to be a good start for me. Let me know how accurate this info is for you surf perch pros out there. Looking foreward to February!!!
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Encore 280 on January 20, 2012, 10:43:02 AM: Just remembered, some guys use a crappie rig and modify it a bit with a little heavier line and some red beads.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: h20hunter on January 20, 2012, 11:18:36 AM: Nice batch of fish.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: Encore 280 on January 20, 2012, 11:36:44 AM: Whenever we go down we head for the fish market out at Oysterville and buy a couple big bags of the Willabay Breading mix. I think Jack's and the IGA down there might sell it too. Jeeze that stuff is the best for perch fillets or razors!! :drool: :drool: We're overdue, gotta get back down there. I miss all that stuff down there. :bash: :bash:
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: beagledog on January 20, 2012, 05:37:42 PM: Encore would you care to elaborate on this modified crappie rig
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: BigGoonTuna on January 20, 2012, 10:26:04 PM: it's similar to what i use - weight on the bottom, hooks tied on droppers up the line, so you get that weight stuck in the sand and the bait fluttering around above the bottom.

not too hard to set up. i usually carry a couple dropper setups in a leader wallet along with a bunch of pretied hooks. for the dropper i tie on a snap swivel, then two dropper loops about a foot apart. for the leaders i use heavy line(like 12-15lb maxima) and a small hook(i like a #2 or #4 octopus), just about 8" long and tie a loop on the end. the short stiff leaders don't tangle as easy as they do with limp line, and the fish don't care.

i rarely ever have to tie a new dropper setup on(unless i get a backlash and snap off my gear mid-cast), so that's the reasoning for the spares. if i wreck a leader(as is often the case when de-hooking fish with pliers), i just un-loop it from the dropper and put a new one on. not having to tie knots is a big consideration when getting pounded by surf, your hands get cold and it sucks to miss out on action in the middle of a hot bite!

most times i'll bait one hook with a piece of shrimp(uncooked prawns make great bait, they hold up really well and the perch like em), and the other with a 1" rubber grub. usually you get bit on the bait, but if miss the bite and lose your bait, you still have a chance of getting bit again. not to mention you can get a double if a school is passing by.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: upwind on January 27, 2012, 08:27:25 PM: Is there any perch fishing around whidbey island.
Title: Re: Surf Perch
Post by: dreamunelk on January 27, 2012, 08:50:09 PM: I found that Razor clam necks and freezer burnt clams will work well too.