Do you feel like you’re ready to go into deep hibernation after indulging on too many holiday sweets? Most of us fit into that category and once you get into the couch potato mode its hard to get motivated for anything. But for those interested in losing calories, and reinvigorating the soul, I can’t think of a better and cheaper way to do that then by walking the suds for the feisty surfperch.
Walking the beach and having the salt breeze in your face is such a wonderful tonic for the mind and spirit, and it gets better when you feel a scrappy perch thumping on the end of your line.Fortunately, encountering the surfperch is not some elusive event.There are numerous species of surfperch that live along our bay and coastline, and so the chances of hooking up are very good.
Surfperch are prolific breeders and their numbers are healthy. When you hit a productive stretch of water the action can be fast and steady. Equally positive most of our beaches are parallel to public roads and highways, providing easy access, so if your time is limited to early morning or evening, you can still make a quick jaunt out, hook a couple of fish, and head to work with a smile on your face.
In our region of interest from Marin to Santa Cruz the surfperch can be found on any stretch of open sand. Its a turbulent environment effected by shifting currents and rip lines, and its bottom features a sandy floor mixed with depressions, drop offs and bars that move with prevailing conditions.
These surf zones will host a variety of marine worms, mollusks and crustaceans, and on the latter the most dominant food source will be sand crabs. These gray jellybeans as I call them are a favorite food of surfperch, and part of the fishing offensive involves mimicking this bait with artificials, but more on this later.
Nature has designed the surfperch with a wide compressed body and much of their lifestyle involves living adjacent to some kind of structure hence long casts are not needed to hit productive water, even when you’re fishing the beaches.
Along our unprotected surf line the most predominant species of surfperch you will encounter will be the barred perch. They can vary in weight from a half pound to over two pounds, and packaged within that round frame is a bundle of energy. The bigger ones will put a good bend on any light tackle outfit. Barred perch can be caught year round but the late winter and early spring can be very good for bigger perch.
Perch Territory
For those with the itch to wander, you’ll find there’s enough places to go where you won’t be boxed in. Heading north to Point Reyes I suggest you try Drakes Bay. It’s one of my favorite spots not only because it produces, but also its unspoiled coastline can prove to be breath taking. Better yet, because it is nestled within a natural bight when prevailing winds pick up from the northwest, this body of water can be protected offering a relatively calm surf.
Looking further south, Stinson Beach off Marin sits in a natural bight so the surf can be calm here as well. Traveling down to busy San Francisco Bakers Beach, Ocean Beach and the open water in front of the San Francisco Zoo offer excellent potential.
Moving down toward Daly City productive there are extremely productive waters from Thornton Beach south to Mussel Rock. If you’re a Pacifica resident check out Sharp Park, Rockaway and Linda Mar Beach. On the latter I’ve had a lot of action here but the fish tend to be on the small side.
Following the birds south below Pacifica, Montara Beach offers quick access and good potential. Going down Highway 1 to Half Moon Bay at Miramar Beach, this shorter piece of sand offers bigger barred perch. Below here there’s more jogging room from Venice, Tunitas, San Gregorio, and Pescadero Beach.
If you’re more ambitious try out the sandy vistas from Santa Cruz to Monterey. Perch fishing in this neck of the woods is pretty good, and some large fish are taken here each year. In the past, my brother Angelo and I have had good action fishing Manresa and Sunset State Beach.
Jogging farther south more action can be had north and south of Moss Landing, and still farther south another favorite perch local is the beach below the Soldiers Club.
Wading Equipment
You have to cover ground to find fish, but it can get chilly on the beach so it would be recommended to wear neoprene waders and a quality windbreaker. Also carry a side bag to hold extra gear and any fish you decide to keep.
Tackle
You look at that big wide rumbling surf, and your first impression is that you need the big guns to hit the greener pastures. Luckily most of the best fishing occurs right where the first wave breaks, and so the emphasis is not distance casting but putting your bait in the right spot.
A spinning rig from 51/2 to seven feet is a good choice since you get a sensitive feel for bites, and its fun to fish with. The Penn 4300 SS Spinning Reel loaded with four to eight pound test monofilament and matched with a Penn 6-1/2 foot PG5766 spinning rod is an ideal choice.
Plastic Grubs
Natural bait will always generate action, but if you belong to the no muss, no fuss crowd, and you still want to get steady action; plastic grubs will put fish in the bag. My favorite is Kalin’s three-inch motor oil colored grub, and the Berkeley Power Grub in the same color and size. Many anglers will use the grub as is and get steady action. But if you are getting lots of short hits I’ll cut the tail off. Where the cut has been made the hook point is entered and the grub is then threaded on. The hook point should protrude from the fat end of the grub. When the grub is rigged in this manner it simulates the look of a live sand crab.
Beach anglers have also been doing well with the Berkeley Gulp 6” Sandworm. It looks like the real thing, and it is heavily impregnated with a powerful scent. You don’t need to use the whole worm. Cut about an inch off and thread it onto the hook.
Perch Leader
The leader is basically a Carolina rig. Slip a ½ to ¾ ounce oval sinker and bead onto your main line. Next, tie the barrel swivel to the line. After that, I’ll attach a 24- inch section of 8 lb test fluorocarbon line for my leader. To the end of the leader snell on a No. 2 or 4 Owner SSW hook.
Hitting The Pocket Water
Before you hit the suds take the time to view the beach from a high vantage point and take note where the pocket water is situated. The latter will hold the most fish, and also by knowing where they sit, you don’t waste time hitting dead water.
This is what to look for: On the initial viewing you’ll see stretches of white water, but where you see a break in the suds, particularly a location that’s consistently highlighted by a darker shade this is deeper slot water.
Along with this darker slot you’ll see a shore break and occasionally a steeper bank. If you happen to be close to these pockets you’ll see a drop or lip right at the water’s edge.
Perch will feed along this entire edge, but more so where you see patches of discolored water.
Such disturbed plots are actually mini landslides caused by the outgoing wash and here you will find sand crabs darting about before they dive back into the sand. When the crabs are out in the open during this brief period they’re vulnerable to perch, and that’s why targeting those murky spots can be good.
Tides And Offensive
Barred perch tend to bite best toward the bottom of the low, and the first few hours of the incoming tide. Maximize your time by immediately going to the places with the best picture. As you probe the pocket water be methodical in your approach and make short and long casts.
At times you may note a current develops during the tide changes and it may have a face with a ruffled look, and it will travel parallel to the contours of the beach. Cast out and slightly up current. The moment the sinker ticks sand, use a slow to medium retrieve. During the retrieve the line will slowly drift with the current and the sinker should be lightly tapping bottom.
Perch can hit anywhere so make it a point to finish out the retrieve. When you do get bit you may feel a sharp tap or two. Continue to reel until the retrieve stops. That indicates a solid strike and the instant it happens set the hook.
Be nomadic
If you don’t get anything within a reasonable amount of time, move on and explore new water. When you hit fish the action can be steady, but the length of the bite will vary with each spot. But that’s what makes it interesting.
Roaming the beach and having the salt breeze in your face is relaxing and soothing for the spirit, and I can’t think of a more beautiful time clock then watching the sun disappear. (END)
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