1/26 Surf Perching (non-yak)

I went surf perching with two friends, Damian and Ben, today.

Had a couple of firsts today:
--first time I've caught a surf perch in a long long time
AND
--first time I've been knocked down by a wave

Fished Marina SB because its the closest; like 3 minutes away from my house.
We fished from 10:30 to 12:30. Well, I stopped fishing at 12:30 (after falling in) but they probably kept fishing for a while longer. I caught 4 nice sized BSP. Damian got a few and Ben got a fat 12 incher.

I used a 1.5 inch Kalins lunker grub in perch power color. Rigged on a carolina-style sliding sinker. I had to upgrade from 3/8oz to 1.5oz (I think thats what that one weighed? not sure) because the waves were pretty big and my small egg sinker was getting tossed around. The other guys used sliding sinker rigs too. Damian tried a larger lunker grub for a while but switched back to the smaller one. Ben was using Gulp sandworms, I think.

About the falling in...I have seen other people get knocked down by waves but never thought it would happen to me. Well, it did. I was facing the beach when a wave broke right on the back of my knees, causing my knees to buckle.
I fell in and my pole went flying. As I struggled to get up (still facing the beach), the receding wave siphoned right into my chest waders. I could feel the water pulling me out to sea so I dug my fingers into the sand and jumped up to my feet.
Grabbed my pole as it was tumbling away.
And started laughing. There was not much else I could do, but laugh. Friggin bumbletard!
Stumbled up the beach and proceded to take off my waders. Completely soaked. There was even about 2 gallons of water inside my waders (good thing I had my wading belt on or it could've been much worse) After getting my bearings, I decided to trudge back to the car and go home.
Hope the guys got a few more fish after I left.

Enough drama. Here's the pics.

Enjoy,
PK

Damian fishing


A nice left. Ther were a lot of surfers out today.


Ben fishing


Big shore dump


The fatty Ben caught



My biggest, about 10 inches


And another


And a little guy


And another


Last one of the day

 

Thanks for the laugh Patrick. Glad you guys had a good time. A 10" perch pulls pretty hard. I love catching those bigguns. Thanks for the report.

-FF

I was wondering if anything was perchy down there. Thanks for the report and good pic's. That water does look mighty good.

My Dad taught me when I was 5 or 6 years old..."NEVER, NEVER, NEVER Turn Your Back To The Waves!"

I am glad you only just got a little wet!

PK,
Nice catch! Way to go!

BTW Nice looking mug shot of the young fellow. He must have come out of the same mold as someone I know! 

It is nice fishing (and surfing) there when the wind comes out of the salinas river valley instead of being rammed down it.

a good place to go when everywhere else is stormy.

you get to cast with the wind, have your back to the wind, etc. it's just better.

good reminder regarding the waves, they don't care if you live or die.

I guess you get to do a little unscheduled reel maintenance today.

John

That does it! Gonna buy my license and dig out the perch gear tomorrow.