NorCal Kayak Anglers
General => General Talk => Topic started by: *<><Aliens on October 18, 2005, 07:50:38 PM
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During the off season when rock fish, halibut, salmon etc...is closed, what do all the Yakers do to satisfy there need to kill fish?
If I may I would like to share with all of you fellow yakeres what I like to do to keep my sanity. Me I like to hit the surf for the choice fish called the Bard Perch. During the months of October Through November. I find that I catch more of the bigger perch during these months than any other month of the year with the exception of February and March. Since I know in the area I fish these are the months that the Bard Perch are gathering to spawn or what ever they do during this time of year. The Perch that I'm catching ranges from 1/2 lbs. to the big boys of three pounds, but during these months, more on the big side. what makes it my favorite time to fish. Thou Bard Perch could be caught all year long. These are the best time.
I have some pic's I like to post, but I can't seem to accomplish the task. Maybe I'll ask Joel to help me out in this matter. Joel would you help me on this matter?
So, what do you like to do to keep the feeling?
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I love perch fishing, its a blast. Great way to kill the time. The forebay is good during the winter for "real" fishing though.
I also pour/create most of my baits during the winter.
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For me, Winter = Sturgeon... in fact I'm starting to get the fever already...
I may be joining you for some perching this winter too though... been wanting to do more of that and I finally built myself a really nice perchin rod like I've been planning to do for a couple years now.
EK
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Bill,
I fished for Bard Perch from Bakers Beach CA all the way down to Prima Tapia Mexico. But never had the chance to fish Four bay. I like to check it out some day soon. May be when I get back from the Chetco.
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This year I am going to try spearfishing to get my fix.
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thats me
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Alex, just email me your pics at konicaminolta and I'll post 'em for you.
I'm up for perch fishing as well - I know Alex is THE MAN when it comes to perch fishing. Maybe he can do a write up on it.
I'm also planning to get back into poke poling for monkey face eel - I'll be doing an article on it as well.
I also plan to start fishing the foothill lakes for trout and smallmouths.
I'm in for the Sturgeon fishing as well.
Gotta love Norcal when it comes to fishing options - there's always something to fish for!
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I forgot to mention that Fisherman's Warehouse in San Jose has a contest for the heaviest perch caught - for those of you who are interested in joining - call 'em for more details. I was there last Saturday when a gentleman came in to weight in his perch. It was recorded at 1.5 by the certified scale at FW. He told me he caught it at the pier by the cement ship at Capitola using shrimp for bait....
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/Joel/012_12_001.sized.jpg)
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i've had luck at pescadero, anyplace else good?
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Greg,
Montara Beach - on the South side right next to the rocks is also a good place. There's a significant drop-off just 10 feet off the shoreline.
I've also seen some big ones caught at the Pacifica Pier.
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don't forget the marin beaches!
stinson, kehoe can be awesome once the first big storms hit and build up the structure.
ChuckE and i had a couple of days that were a blast at stinson last winter adn spring
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Yup... SteveS and I had Stinson dialed-in. We were catching perch on just about every cast and lost count. We figured out the exact type of sand and gravel beds that were holding the perch.
We used long light spinning rods and reels loaded with 15 or 20# Spectra to hurl a Carolina rig consisting of a 1 ounce egg sinker, 2' mono leader, and 1-1/2" motor oil grub. The sensitivity of Spectra allowed us to feel the bottom and every little tap.
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/album46/grub.jpg)
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/album46/steve.jpg)
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You mentioned a long spinning rod--how long is long?
Stripers: The O'Neill Forebay is the 'catch basin' for San Luis Reservoir and a Striped bass territory that comes alive Oct-Feb or so when the near-gale-force Summer winds over Pacheco Pass finally abate. I'll be hitting it all Winter. I've always fished it with w 9-wt fly rod and streamers but this year I plan on conventional tackle also. I be there this Friday and maybe another day on the weekend as long as I finish rigging my new Prowler 15. The Delta should be ripening up now and good through Winter as well though 'Bass Boats from Hell' can be pretty intimidating there. I'll try the kayak spots you all mention. I am also expecting scwafish to tell us Mendocino has 'busted' wide open any day now. :smt002 Millerton Lake is supposed to be good fro Striped Bass as well though I have never fished it and its a much longer drive than San Luis.
Foothills:
I hear Del Valle is good for Smallmouths--but last weekend a kayaker from Livermore I met told me it is nearly drained this time of year. I'll make a note to try it in Spring. Never had much luck at Stevens Creek or Lexington--though I have heard of nice Bass being pulled out of there and I have seen people with full stringers of Black Crappie. Anderson, Coyote, and Calero might be fish-able when its cold enough to keep the 'Fleas' and skiers off the water--but you can't eat the fish in many local lakes due to mercury content so its C&R only.
Surf: I have never used conventional tackle for Surf Perch, but have used a 7-wt fly rod on a sinking shooting head, a 6-foot 10-pound mono leader and a Motor Oil grub on med-small hook. You look for holes and rips close in where the Perch will come in for feed on surf critters like the Pacific Mole Crab. I want to try spinning tackle--often the holes are just beyond reach of the fly rod and deeper wading of the steep breaks in Winter storm surf with strong rips is dangerous.
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The stretch of Beach from just north of the Bodega Marine lab to North Salmon Creek holds some nice barred, calico, and red tail perch. Portuguese Beach has some nice striped and black perch, and I have a spot near Duncan's Landing where I fish from the side of a cliff for wide open, huge striped perch, big walleyes, and the occasional pile and rubberlip perch.
Here's a big rubberlip from the Noyo Harbor Jetty:
(http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/images/dsc01680.jpg)
A nice pile perch from the "cliff spot":
(http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/images/picture.jpg)
A 16.25" redtail from Bodega Dunes:
(http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/images/dsc01890.jpg)
And a CA record class striped perch from "Blue Slide" in Bodega:
(http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/images/dsc01620.jpg)
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Dustin - what set-up do you use? Bait or grubs?
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Dustin,
Artificials or bait? Those are some really nice fish.
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When fishing from a jetty (Bodega or Noyo) or from rocks I use cooked shrimp I get from an Asian market in Santa Rosa. Not the kind you'd get in a pack at Safeway, but whole, stinky cooked shrimp with the shell and everything. From my experience only, I've found that rubberlips, striped, black, rainbow, and pile perch prefer bait. Grass shrimp and ghost shrimp both work great but at $3.99 a pound it's hard to beat the cooked shrimp. Sand crabs also work great for perch but I've never really tried them.
I've also caught calicos, barred, walleye and redtail perch on bait, but since they just as readily hit grubs I prefer to use grubs for them. I've thrown grubs in areas where I'm slammin' striped perch, but have never gotten a striped perch to hit a grub.
I prefer longer rods - 8' - 9'. Obviously light action. I like using casting and spinning gear equally, but right now I'm mostly using casting with Carolina rigs on 6-10lb test, 1/2oz to 1oz egg sinker, and a 2' - 4' leader w/size 6 Gamakatsu Octopus (I think) hooks. I usually use whatever my main line is for a leader - nothing special.
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Oh yeah - grubs. My "go to" grubs are 1.5" Kalin's Amber Hologram and Perch Power grubs. Other grubs I've had success with are 1.5" - 2" Motor Oil Red Flake, M.O.Gold Flake, and Brown Crawdad. Others like to use pumpkinseed grubs, but I haven't had much success with them. Some people use the big 'ole 3" grubs, but I don't have much confidence when I fish those and usually don't give 'em enough of a chance.
I also like to add a little scent. I'm currently using Sardine Smelly Jelly 'cause that's just what I happened to have already. Other scents I've heard work very well are perch cocktail and calico cocktail.
Keep in mind that I just started grubbing recently. I'm still learning what kind of habitat to target and what "good" water looks like. I'm pretty good at finding holes, but seem to have just as much luck "blind casting".
Glenn Yoshimoto has one of the best perch fishing sites I've seen. It's catered to surf flyfishing, but has a ton of valuable info for regular fishing methods, too. And I think he's located around SC or Monterey, where some people were just inquiring about in this thread.
Here's the link - http://www.zenflyfishing.com/
BTW - here's the trail to the wide open perch spot.
(http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/images/cliffhanger3.jpg)
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I did my first winter surfcasting venture last Saturday, just for an hour or so before I went to work that day.
Fished the Boardwalk Beach in Santa Cruz near the rivermouth, figuring there might be some structure/dip there. the beach was pretty flat.
Used MORF grup with the carolina rig. Caught one Barred perch and some jack smelt.
Tis the season. I have a blast with this fishing, it's so easy. I can kep the rig and gear in the car and just cast for 15 minutes or for three hours, depending.
laat year we had the big perch derby in January "The First Annual "Sand Crab Classic" 155 anglers participated on a blustery rainy day- gusts up to 50 and waves up to 10'!!!
The winning limit included a barred perch measuring 15 3/4 inches.
We'll have the 2d annual classic this year, but the date is not set yet. Hope many from this board can join us. Proceeds go to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project.
I'm starting to practice right now.
Allen
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Hi Allen,
Would love to take part on the Perch derby. What month is it usually held on? Let me know I'll be there.
Alex
....*<><Aliens, Illing to go fishing. Leaving tonight for the Chetco in Oregon The Big Chinook is awaiting for his flossing... Be back on the 26Th.
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Allen & Alex - what is your preferred rig for perch fishing?
What type of rod & reel
How heavy is your line - mono or braided line?
Bait or grubs?
spill the beans boys....this is what this forum is all about :smt045
Dustin,Chuck and Steve - thanks for sharing your tips and pics :smt023
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I, too, started last year with SCAllen into the great perch beyond. I'm SO STOKED to hear it's heating up already.
Mooch: I use a light rig normally reserved for freshwater, strung with 4- or 6-lb mono. Grubs (all hail the mighty MORF!), bait, etc. I've used a bunch of colors of grub but given decent clear conditions MORF seems to do the trick. Grubs are awesome because I don't have to plan ahead. Do try to buy some early, though, since a lot of stores in SCruz and elsewhere sold out last winter. I use them Carolina rigged and I should get out the camera and get you some pictures of the stuff I haul out. Nice long leaders of fluorocarbon to tiny hooks.
I've caught a bunch of fish, mostly barred. But rainbow, black, etc. It's a fun fishery, as Allen said, because I can pull up to a beach and pretty much instantly be out catching fish. I was just out scoping the beach at the base of 20th in Live Oak yesterday... Sadly tonight finds me in Chicago in an airport hotel DREAMING of the beach. Perhaps I'll have an hour or so on Sunday to be stupid and get a BSP on the hook!
I do suggest reading the zen site about surf perch (earlier on this thread), particularly about the catch-and-release aspects and the issues that occur if we take too many spawning females.
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Speaking of spawning females I was fishing New Brighton this year the day before the first SC derby and landed a perch that was spawning right in my hand, pretty cool.
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Mooch et all:
I have used my old trusty trout rod, old brown 7' Fenwick, but prefer my new stick. I know I'm a bit overgunned but I bought a GLoomis spinning rod 8'6" last year for steelhead and it casts so nice. I have it strung with 10# test and use 4-6# flouro for the leaders. I plan on getting a smaller shimano spinning reel for it this season and loading it with 6 or 8 pound test.
I use a funny little long-shanked wire hook for the grubs, and, like Joel, prefer the Motor Oil Red Flake (MORF) because it seems to produce the best for me. I use anchovy or sardine oil on them, give a squirt every 3-4 casts. I had some luck with root beer grubs last year, and the pink bubble gum grubs as well. But, on any given day, the MORF smokes 'em. Joel is also too correct regarding the supply and demand. At one point last winter, Santa Cruz was completely OUT of MORFs. Grizzled veterans were reported to be weeping in front of various tackle shops.
When I looked in my cabinet last week, I found a secret stash of about 60 MORFs I had hidden there last year. (I also found some velvet ropes and a fuzzy blindfold, but that's another story, for a different board)
The big fish at last year's derby was caught with ghost shrmp. Other big fish that came in that day were caught on bait as well, so bait might be the ticket for size. The biggest barred surf perch I've caught so far, being a beginner, was 12 3/4 inches. It was pretty strong!
I'll get some pix of last year's Derby up on the radio show website and link over to them as soon as possible. This year's Derby will be probably the 3d or 4th week of January, or the 1st week of February. We have to arrange it around the big fishing shows to avoid conflict. We're shooting for the Santa Cruz Yacht Club for the BBQ/party so it should be a gas. It was unbelievable last year how many hard-core anglers turned out to chase the feisty little gamefish, especially with the lousy weather. These guys are serious! We had tons of prizes including rods and reels, grab bag baits, trips on charter boats, and guided kayak fihing trips.
I may get back out on Saturday or Sunday for an hour or two, and see what's happening, though if I have the time, I'll probably yak it.
Allen
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I just built a really nice little perchin rod... gave it the first use at Mendo and it casts light lures great. Like Allen I'm probably a bit overgunned, but being a rodbuilder I tend to do that.
While you won't find the exact blank in stores, you can probably come close in brands like Loomis, Lamiglas, or St. Croix.... here are the specs...
8'3", 2 piece steelhead spinning rod rated for 6-10# line and 1/4 - 1/2 oz lures, fast action in an intermediate modulus graphite (43 million modulus).
Stiff enough to cast well but enough action in the tip section to play a fish properly with light line. I have it spooled with 6# test Maxima. Of course I also used those nice little nickel/titanium shape-memory alloy guides which are expensive little buggers but are extremely durable, corrosion proof, and insanely light.
Looking forward to actually breaking it in on the perch very soon.
Erik
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I fish the Spud Point Marina Pier in the fall and winter for perch, mostly pile and striped perch. The trick is to turn over the rocks near the pier and collect the really small Hemigrapsus oregonensis crabs. Pull the pincers off and hook it through the abdomen with a 1/0 livebait hook. Next find a piling that is loaded with perch and swing that puppy out away from the piling and bounce it of the wall and let it fall right in front of the fish. I learned this technique from an old crusty fisherman and it has been very fruitful. :smt003. I second rockhoppers observations that Portuguese can be productive for perch. I live in between Portuguese and Gleason beach and perch can be had year round.
Jim
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I tend to like the longer rods like 8'6" or longer, mainly because it gives me some "reach" over the waves. I find with a shorter rod, the wave action on the line can mess up my "feel". I use a steelhead type spinning rod rated for 8-12 pounds because that's what I have. With this rod, a 1 ounce weight feels just about right. However, I wouldn't hesitate to go slightly lighter if I had it.
-Allen
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Here's my only catch from early August. I use an 8' daiwa eliminator surf rod with an undersized penn spinner. Didn't even know I had it on...that pole is a little bit overkill :) At least I can throw on 20 lb test and cast a 5 oz weight out there I guess.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/bekk120/FISH082505057.jpg)
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Is that a BSP i posted?
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Yup - and a nice one!
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Santa cruz has excellent perch fishing, along with all of montery bay.
Here is how I do it.
6'6" spinning rod, med heavy extra fast tip
6# test
Carolina rig with weight tuned to surf conditions.
4# leader about 3-5' long again depending on surf conditions
#6 or #8 octopus hook (red)
2" grub in the MORF color
Chuck it out and bring in slowly.
MolBasser
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Joel,
I use a 10' 1/2" ft. ultra light rod made by South Bend (Trophy Tamer)
rated at 2-8lbs. line and 1/4-3/8oz. wt.
Reel is a cheap Shimano 4000 loaded with 8lbs. Ultragreen Maxima line
A #8 baitholder Gamakatsu, Mustad or Eagle Claw bronze hook. I prefer these brands because I find them sharper, thinner in diameter, and slightly longer shank than others. Makes threading the Kalins 1-1/2" Motor oil Gold flake easy without ripping the grub.
8-10 ft leader (8lbs. test Maxima) and 1/4-3/8 oz. sliding egg sinker.
And during the calmer days I switch to my even lighter rod.
A 11-1/2 Ft. ultra, ultra light Cabela's Fish Eagle II. Rated at 2-4lbs. Test line.
I'll be headed down to Monterey to see my new born niece who's birthday was today 10/27/05 and going to hit my favorite beach to see if the big Bard Perch are gathering!!! Company Welcome.
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I use a 10' 1/2" ft. ultra light rod made by South Bend (Trophy Tamer)
rated at 2-8lbs. line and 1/4-3/8oz. wt.
Alex - I sold you that rod. Remember?
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dudes,
hammer site (www.swimbait.com) has article about nose hooking rather than threading the grub. less spin. I think I saw it there, but maybe I found it when searching for MORF to find out it meant Motor Oil Red Fleck, :smt002. I don't have the link handy in anycase. He was a so-cal surf fisherman.
I haven't tried it, but I will. maybe a little more action on the grub, more slightly larger fish?
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Cool... thanks! I'll give it a try next time.
Here's a quick link directly to the page without the frame:
http://swimbait.com/techniques/perch_01.htm
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So is that what they call it. Hammer hooking! That's how i first started hooking my grubs way back then. I lost a lot of grubs hooking them like that. At least the traditional way, as they call it, I could catch my limit with just one grubby. But to each his own and the traditional way for me is just that. :smt002
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I use a 10' 1/2" ft. ultra light rod made by South Bend (Trophy Tamer)
rated at 2-8lbs. line and 1/4-3/8oz. wt.
Alex - I sold you that rod. Remember?
No Joel- you didn't sell me that rod. I got that from K-mart!
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How's the perchin' going? Any tips?
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I'm going to go pitch some grubs this morning. High tide is at 11. Probably capitola if the weeds aren't too bad. I'll post a report later.
Allen
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I got a few 1 lbers today. Using the MORF grub with sand shrimp oil. Worked nice! I like this little setup now with an egg sinker and a #4 hook instead of the surf fishing setups i been using. You definitely have to hit in the areas where the sand is stirring it seems.
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NICE!
I tried at Capitola. Conditions were too perfect, I guess. Small swell, clear water......no hits :-(
where did you end up fishing?
Allen
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Marina State. Not the best but it worked.
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Yeah, it al;ways pats to get out of town. Those beaches are a lot more consistent for sure. I also want to try some of the North coast Spots. I've heard that area just North of Greyhound Rock produces some big perch.
having said that, the family took a hike at Ano yesterday and I brought my rod for a few casts......Nothing. Great to get hip deep and cast, though, never wasted time when you're fishing!
Allen