HMB Perching - NonYak - Skunk - advice?

Conveniently, I already have a stealhead rod. I don't mind digging for sandcrab either. Can't wait to try out everyone's tips.

Thank you all again.

---Joe

Yakaroo,
    Look up and article by Sinjin Kim on... Drop Shotting for Slab Perch ... Surf fishing Insider.com ..even has some video of them catching a Hali... The technique will work best in "holes or troughs" but not so well in long flat beaches.
     Theres more than just perch in the surf.

Gue

The bait down here I've used to real success when the sandcrabs aren't around is Gulp Alive sandworms 2" camo.  Down here they call them "crack".

This is the ticket...or sand crabs. I have never even gotten a tap on the motor oil/red flake grubs. I toss it out as far as I can and let it sit....hold the line in my opposite hand. with the wave action its really hard to fel the bit. I also use braid to help feel the nibble. Sometimes a squirt of sent helps.

Anybody try the Berkley Gulp sand flea yet? I just picked some up, & wondering if it's worth the effort to try, or if I should just stick with the real thing. Not to seem like a lazy fisherman, but if I can avoid the digging it'd be worth the cost. My experience is that the real sand fleas out fish the grubs, but can be hard to get to depending on the tide. Also iI would highly recommend trying ocean beach, or baker. I've got a few hoes that hit pretty regularly. Ask the surfers on OB where the holes are. That's how i found my spots plus they hate surfing there, so you don't have to worry about "catching" one of them.

I've tried them and even talked to a few shops in so cal and the say they are a no go....The camo sand worms are the ticket. Seriously, I may argue better then live sand crabs (and way simpler to hook)

Does anyone know of local (East Bay) shops that carry the 2" Gulp Sandworm?

VERY informative thread guys!  Going to try some perchin for the first time this weekend and this has been a great primer!

Hey Al, 

  I've got a bag each of the 1/2" and 1" gulp sand crabs, ghost shrimp and Mitten crab also got a tub of  Gulp "Alive blood worms"   plus I've 1.5" kalin grubs,and the 2" along with 2 boxes of squid and bag of frozed grass shrimp (I think that's what they are)  your welcome to use any of the baits I have.  I'll be heading up tomorrow morning stopping at the bean first to see if any one is there.   Will have to figure out how to meet up.

Yakaroo,

As far as soft plastics- try Walton's Pond bass shop on Washington Ave.  I just picked up a bag of Gulp sand crab to try.  John(the owner) is a wealth of info and he can probably help you out. His shop is next to the fish and chips shop and the Dollar tree store, right across from Pagano's bar...  not that I've been in there or anything...

Jody

Walton's Pond is where I got my Kalin's Grubs. I went in asking for Gulp 3" Shrimps and he doesn't have them. He then suggested the grubs which I tried. I haven't asked him for the 2" Sandworm though cus I figure he would have suggested the Sandworms. Worth a shot...I'll give him a call next week.

Thanks for the suggestion Jody.