north of pigeon point perch grubbing 2007/03/03

I got a moderator of the sniffer bass board, compa, silli valley master of senkos and light line, to go perch grubbing with me.

compa has been fishing for probably several centuries now but had never been grubbing. 

I am normally pretty punctual, but I blew my alarm setting and compa had to call me. oops. sorry! 

so we missed probably an hour or so of prime time incoming tide. thanks for waiting for me, compa!

We went north of pigeon point to avoid the sand crab classic crowds and because the wave report was small.

It was 5 feet / 10 seconds, which is close to flat down santa cruz way, but north of pigeon point it takes something like 3ft / 6 seconds to be truly tiny.

We went to beach that usually has pretty clear water, big sand grains, but there was some creek runoff clouding things up a bit.

We fished for about 3.5 hours and we each got a pair of decent fish, but I think both of us missed a number of hits due to the wave action, and general unfamiliarity with grubs, rods, and bigger surf.

After a number of grubbing sessions not losing any gear, I snagged a baitfisher's line and then snagged the bottom up the beach twice!  . had to retie a lot on the beach which cuts into fishing time for sure.

compa used a baitcaster and 11.5' steelhead rod that he made himself, complete with acid wrap! This guy has done a lot of fishing in his life...

we had a pair of lightweight cannons out there today for grubbing gear.

I tested out a loaner rod, a graphite 13.5' favorite of an experienced fisherman friend, and that thing was a cannon for sure, but it took me awhile to learn what a hit felt like, it was a little softer feel than my 8.5' rod.

compa re-spooled on the beach to braid to see if he could get a little more feel. hardcore!

well, now I really don't know what is the best perch grubbing rod... maybe I should try a baitcaster with that longer rod. hmm....

Best,
J

jmairey,

It was great to meet with you for some perching lessons. Ya, a real rookie as far as grubbing goes. But I did learn a couple of thins today. May be next time will be better.

It was great to break the ice in my first cast, but then I could not feel the bites. After respooling with braid the sensitivity went up an octave. I could even feel the gravel at the bottom. But too bad the time ran out so quickly. Those 2 little perch gave a nice feeling in any case.

BTW. My friend Ken went perching also this morning. He went somewhere north of Ano Nuevo and bait fished using grass shrimps. He caught 15 redtails that were mostly 1.5# to 2.5# range with only a couple of dinks. I am really jealous now!  We should try it again some other time! 

Great job fellas.  Grubbing is a lot of fun, especially when you find the fish.

What type of grubs were you using?  Were you using any scent?

My best day grubbing was last year, probably sometime around May, when I went out with my buddy Joey and my Pops.  That day we easily caught (released most) at least 60 fish between the three of us.  It was my dads first time ever grubbing and he was amazed that we were able to be so picky about the fish we kept.  The next day he called me still happy about the fishing but complaining about the soreness...standing waist deep in the surf took a toll on him.

That day we were mostly fishing 3" Kalins MORF grubs with shrimp scented smelly jelly.  I don't know if that day was all luck or if the grub/scent combo helped us out.  Whatever it was, that was a day that's been hard to top.

John,

Baitcasters are better than spinners.  More contact with the line as soon as it hits bottom.  Easy on the wrist and hand reeling it in.  Only, time I may use a Spinning Reel is when the stripers are running and I used tape on my casting finger.  Casting Mickeys or Hopkins lures.

Ken kickfish

Ken, I'll try a baitcaster on that 13.5' reel next.

It seems like when the waves are smaller, the spinner and smaller rod work
great. But today, a baitcaster would have been better. I did wear a groove
in my finger with 8lb line and that long rod.

angel, I caught my fish on a 1.5" kalin's perch power (motor oil, green and red fleck).  one redtail (? if so, my first) about 12", one barred around 9"

no fish on a 3" kalins MORF or 2" kalins MORF.

no scent used.

I had my best day last year in may too. probably not all luck, but sounds like right time right place.

compa, this ken is a real legend!

J

Yea, he is. Just ask kayakjames.

Sounds like you guys had a good time. At least you caught a couple nice perch! I often get skunked when fishing grubs with big rods.
Thanks for the report,
PK

Thanks PK. Now do you expect me to believe there are skunks in your area? 

I met up with Ken today and he brought me some of the perch he caught. The plate is about 12" long. And these were the medium sized ones he caught.