SURF PERCH FISHING

 

 

Introduction of Surf Perch

 

Surf perch or Sea perch are commonly found along the Pacific coastal shores in Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Redtail surf perch, striped sea perch, and pile perch are the three most popular surf perches. Hundreds of thousands of these fishes are caught by recreational anglers annually.
 
Surf perch are viviparous that gives birth to live young; the spawning time is spring and early summer. Redtail surfperch grows to 4.5 lb, 16 inch length; and reach the age of 14 years. Average length at age 1 is 3.9 inch; at age 2 is 6.5 inch; by age 3 the average length of females is larger than males. Pile perch can grow to 3.5 lb, average is 1.5 to 2.5 lb. Striped perch can grow to 3lb, average around 1 lb.
 
Redtail surf perch are the largest and caught along the coasts. It is delicious and an eager biter, making surf perch fishing has lots of fun.


Where and When to Fish Surf Perch

Usually, surf perch are darting in and out of the surging surf in search of food within 30 to 60 feet of the shoreline. Look for the places include steeply sloped beaches where the waves breaking hard; rocky areas in the sand; sandy areas near jetties; places where the shore cutting inward; or under docks next to pilings.
 
Surf perch are available year-round. Spring and early summer are better because the surf perch school up along the shorelines for spawning. But a sunny week-end during the winter also is a chance to get the rod out. The best surf condition for surf perch fishing is when the surf is moderate to calm. You can google for the area surf forecast before you go fishing. The fish retreat from the rough water, and feed farther from shore when the surf is rough and the waves are breaking far from shore.

 Most surf fishermen will tell you that the incoming tide is the best, as the fish will be moving up the beach to snatch up the food washing up by the tide. I catch surf perch in both incoming and outgoing tides. But I would like to fish surf perch in outgoing tide, because I hate to fight with the weeds being washed ashore by the incoming tide. Especially nears the high tides, the waves bring in tons of the weeds. I would like to fish before 9:00 AM, to take advantage of the early morning bite and to avoid the chilling effects of the afternoon winds. And don’t hesitate to move to another area of the beach or to another beach if the fishing is poor.

Surf perch Fishing Gear

There are a lot of personal preferences when it comes to surf perch fishing tackle. I prefer using at least 9 foot long rod with 200 to 300 yards line holding capacity spinning reel, 15 lb test line, #4 or #2 hooks, and 3 or 4 oz pyramid sinker. Pyramid sinkers are easy to cast and tend to roll less in the surf. This tackle is good for light to heavy surf conditions on the beach. But using stronger line, such as 20 to 30 lb test line, will be better if fishing from the jetties or the rocky shore.

 A popular terminal tackle set-up for surf perch is: About one foot above the sinker attaches a 3-way swivel. On one loop tie on the first hook with 6-8 inches of monofilament; about one and half foot above the first hook attaches a second hook in the same way. My favorite terminal tackle set-up is: about 8 inch Or 20 cm above the sinker attaches a 3-way swivel, the other end of the loop tie to main fishing line, on the third loop tie on the hook with 2 foot long monofilament.

Use the light leader for the sinker and hook, so that if the sinker or hook gets stuck in the rocks you can break a light leader easier than the heavier line, thus freeing the line from the rocks.

Bait

Sur fish will eat anything that they can find. Popular baits for surfperch fishing are mole crabs, marine worms, sand shrimp, mussels and clams. Some surf perch anglers are using plastic baits. Many anglers gather crabs, worms and shrimp during low tide from the same beaches they’re going to fish later. My favorite baits for surf perch on the beach first is razor clam when the razor clam digging season is available; second is sand worms; third is other kind clams. I did try plastic shrimp baits for surf perch fishing several times, but I didn’t catch any perch with the plastic baits. I use shrimps most when fishing on the docks, and work very well.
 
Footwear
 

Your feet are going to get wet while fishing in the surf. If air and water temperatures are comfortable, you can simply wear shorts and sandals and get wet while fishing surf perch. Generally, hip boots and chest wader are very helpful in keeping your dry. In cold and rainy day, chest wader is necessary and keeps you warm and comfortable.

 Surf Perch Fishing Tips

Don’t forget to buy the fishing license before you go fishing. And the daily limit for surf perch is 15-fish a day.
 
Be prepared & fish safe with a friend if possible. It is highly recommended to wear a personal flotation device while fishing with wader in the water. Don’t get too close to the water when fishing from a jetty or from rocks, as a sudden big breaker can cover you and pull you into the ocean.
 

Don’t drive on the clam beds while driving on the Beach.
 
Share the beach with other people.

Since you may be moving along the beach and fishing in the water, it would be better if you have one thing like a nylon or rubber net that can be attached to your belt to hold your catches.

The surf perch bites seem half the time you miss them and half the time you get them.

If you see a seal swimming in the surf, it is fishing for the same prey as you are, and the fish may not bite the baits.
 
Surf perch travel in small schools which usually consist of the same size fish. If you are regularly getting small fish, you may want to change your casting location to find a school of larger fish.
 
Surf perch is a very good eating fish if large enough. It can be filleted, fried, fried, or many other methods. It like most white meat fish and eat them as fresh as possible.


 

A Dizzy fish

a school of fish in waikiki

USS ARIZONA Memorial in Pear Harbor

MAKAHA BEACH CABANAS-Hawaii

The Rhythm Of The Waves

The Rhythm Of The Waves

Oregon coastline is one of the most charming self-drive tour coast scenic routes in the world. Beautiful sandy beaches, simple and generous bridges, characteristic lighthouses, evergreen parks, and fascinating towns are the shinning pearls along the way. We re-visited Oregon north coast and stayed in Seaside over Easter weekend. It took 5 and half hours in driving from Burnaby, BC to Seaside, Oregon; plus one hour waiting time for crossing Canada-USA border, and half hour resting time on the road.

Before reached the Pacific coast in Oregon, we stopped at Astoria, a historic town locates along the Columbia River, which is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, and offers more points of historical interest than any other city on the Oregon Coast. Robert Gray and his small ship, Columbia Rediviva, entered and named the Columbia River in 1792; Lewis and Clark’s expedition of 1804–1806 established the new nation’s claim to the Pacific Northwest. The 125-foot Astoria Column atop Coxcomb Hill was erected in 1926, and is a very popular attraction with spectacular views of the ocean, towns, bridges, rivers, and mountains. Around the outside are 14 historical scenes commemorating important events in the history of Astoria in spiral upwards; Inside visitors can climb the 164-step spiral staircase leads to the top of a viewing platform.

Stand in the view platform on the top of the Astoria Column, the Astoria–Megler Bridge crossing over the mouth of Columbia River impress my eyes first. The bridge just likes a dragon lying on the water, fuses to the scenes of the two States on the both sides of the River. This over four miles long bridge was completed in 1966, and made Hwy 101 an unbroken link between the Canadian and Mexican borders. Following the Astoria-Megler Bridge toward south, you can see the 4200-foot lift-span Youngs Bridge over the Youngs Bay. The historical town Warrenton-Hammond just sits in the mouth of the Column River. At the end of the land is Fort Stevens State Park, the United States’ major defense for the mouth of the Column River from the Civil War until World War II. You can enjoy camping, hiking, and biking in this famous state park. And this park is very popular in summer, better make the reservation early if you want to camp in here.

After 20 minutes drove from Astoria, we reached Seaside, the first seashore resort in Oregon and remain one of the coast’s most popular year-round destinations. We stayed at a vacation house on 12 Avenue for 4 days 3 nights. The vacation house is very comfortable, about 100 steps to 12 Avenue bridge over Necanicum River where is popular for crabbing; 300 steps to the Seaside beach and the end of famous Seaside Promenade. The 1.5-mile or 2.4km oceanfront Promenade, between 12 Avenue and Broadway, is perfect place for casual walking, jogging and biking. The automobile turnaround on the Promenade at Broadway at the beach is one of Oregon's most famous landmarks. The views of the Pacific Ocean from the Promenade are wonderful. A boy and his daddy are busy making sand castle. 4 or 5 young people padding 3 wheel bikes chasing each other on the sandy beach. The colorful kites competing flying with seagulls. A Mum is swinging her girl on the beach and their laughs are waved in by sea breeze. And some people just lied on beach towels and take the sun bath. The beach grass covered the dunes, the rain forest covered Tillamook Head, and the neat ocean front homes and resorts. The sunset over the Pacific Ocean is unforgettable…

Seaside Aquarium locates on the Promenade more than 70 years, the seals show is funny, and the 35-foot skeleton of a Gray Whale is just outside of the aquarium. Visit Lewis and Clark‘s salt-making camp to trace their exploring footsteps. And in the evening, we cruise along Broadway, the core of Seaside's downtown, explored the classical coastal shops and attractions.

We toured Ecola State Park and Cannon beach on next day. Ecola state park locates between Seaside and Cannon Beach, just around 20 minutes to each end. The park has acres of forest and grass, is excellent for hiking, picnics and relaxation. With views of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, the Coast Range, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and the Pacific Ocean, Ecola State Park is a prime spot for scenes and wedding photos.

Cannon Beach with miles of wide sandy beach is a popular coastal resort town. The famous Haystack Rock, the unofficial symbol of the town, just lies on the south. This 235-foot monolith is home to many species of nesting birds. And this marine garden is protected by the State. Stroll through the four block long village center, visit numerous galleries, as well as restaurants and shops of all kinds in a well preserved coastal ambience.

Fishing and digging razor clams were very fun in Seaside. We went surf perch fishing in Seaside Cove on the third day afternoon. Within two and half hours, my son caught 4 surf perches, 3 were over 2 lb and one under 1 lb; I got 4 perches as well, 3 were around 1.5 lb and one under 1 lb. And we saw lots people surfing in the Cove while we enjoyed the surf perch fishing. Seaside offers some of the Northwest's best surfing conditions. We went razor clam digging in second and third day morning. There were so many people in the beach finding and digging the clams. Some people taught us the hints on how to find the clam dips and how to dig them. We got our limit (15 pieces per license) first day; but only got 3 pieces on the other day. A person, who had 40 years commercial razor digging experience, told us it was difficult to find razor dips since third low tide day within the consequent low tide day’s period.

Still remember the first night on the Seaside Beach. It was full moon night. The bright moon hung in sky over the mountain on the east side of the city, the beach fires and people’s cheers waved in from the distance. And I walked at the ocean's edge with the rhythm of the waves. No more hustle and bustle of city, no more life stress. All things I could feel was leisure, relax, and enjoy, this is the life style I am looking for!

Surf Perch Fishing in Seaside, Oregon

Fishing was very fun in Seaside, Oregon. We went surf perch fishing in Seaside Cove on one day afternoon. Within two and half hours, my son caught 4 surf perches, 3 were over 2 lb and one under 1 lb; I got 4 perches as well, 3 were around 1.5 lb and one under 1 lb. And we saw lots people surfing in the Cove while we enjoyed the surf perch fishing.  Seaside offers some of the Northwest's best surfing conditions.