Hello, I’m looking for advice on how to catch surf perch on the west coast. I went fishing today, and the 5 other fishermen were catching slab perch left and right. At the end of the day most went home with close to a dozen, yet I couldn’t catch a single one. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance
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Can someone describe what perch biting feels like? I’m a pretty new surf fishermen and maybe am just getting their bites confused w wave action.
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Is my setup not sensitive enough? I have a 10ft tsunami trophy ii medium with 30lb braid and 20lb fluoro leader. I tried hi-lo with a pyramid sinker, and also Carolina with a 1oz egg sinker. I’m using 3# hooks with camo sand worms. https://www.tsunamifishing.com/products/tsunami-trophy-ii-surf-rod?variant=45006854783264
Posted by easternbluebat
5 Comments
Thanks yall it’s been difficult to learn to surf fish on my own.
At first it’s slight but when they bite there’s no mistaking it. Sometimes skunking happens even when everyone else around you is getting them. It’s happened to me a few times. Your setups sound right, just keep trying.
Try playing with the retrieval speed, letting them stay out for a bit before reeling back in, popping them a bit, pause retrieve etc.
Where are you?
San Diego is very different than Port Townsend and there are significant differences in how we fish in the nearly 1700 miles of coastline between the two.
Cheers!
You really don’t need as heavy a set up as you have been using. You can use a shorter, lighter rod if you have an option.
If not, try using 8-10 mono and maybe 6 lb leader. Some use 3 lb. I use #6 circle hooks; They set themselves!
Perch like soft shell sand crabs with the red roe (eggs) visible underneath, so try a piece of red rubber worm or red or motor oil colored grub bait. Sandcrabs are easy to dig!
On the west coast, the perch are usually close to the wash on the beach, meaning you can simply walk into the surf in summer and cast a short distance into the wash. This is where the perch, and corbina forage for food.
Pro tip, ask! Usually people are pretty nice and will generally know what you are doing wrong. All fishermen like to talk about their catches.