Introduction to Surf Perching

I've been wondering the same thing.  Are these the same rods that were developed in the Great Lakes for steelhead fishing with light line?   Specific makes and models we might look at would be helpful.

Brian

Yes... these are ultralight rods designed for 2-6# line... most commonly used for steelhead.

A noodle rod is a long, slow action rod... slow action means that it bends over 2/3 or more of the length of the rod under a load.  The whole purpose is provide a good shock absorber for very light line.



Here are a couple of models of noodle rods:

St. Croix WS106ULS2  which is a 10'6" Slow action, graphite, 2pc, 2-6# line, 1/16 - 1/4 oz lure, ultralight power.

Lamiglas G 1321 which is 9’ , 2 pc, 1/16-3/8 oz lure, 2-6# line, Slow action

G.Loomis NR1382S which is 11'6" , 1/16 - 1/8 oz lure, Slow action,  Ultra-Light power.

Fly rod blanks would also make a good noodle rod.

Thanks for the great information and diagram!  I have a couple of follow-up questions here --

1. Even though these rods are designed for very light line (2-6#) and lure weights (up to 3/8oz), can one still get a good cast using the heavier 8# line and what looks like 1oz egg sinkers depicted in the article?

2. Is there any downside to using a low profile baitcaster and lightweight braid instead of a spinning reel and mono?  I seem to remember someone mentioning that it was easier to cast spinning reels into the wind with light weights.

...

I've tried (without any success but with a large degree of frustration) to go perch grubbing with my 5'10" Shakespeare Ugly Stik combos -- I couldn't cast far enough to keep the grub out of the foam.

I caught a lot of perch one day with a short ultra light by putting on a wetsuit and wading right in
and casting parallel to the beach in waist deep water, or even closer to shore. it was a blast
but exhausting and pretty hard on the reel.

For this year, I bought a cheap 8.5" steelhead graphite spinning rod. 8-12lb line. it says a max
of a 3/4 oz lure, but I will put up to a 2oz egg on there and just hope I don't snap it casting.

For me I wonder whether I'd feel the strike with a noodle rod, I think you need to be
an experienced fisherman like alex to use that thing right.

check this thing:http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166&id=0006763110036a&navCount=1&podId=0006763&parentId=cat20374&navAction=push&catalogCode=IF&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20374&hasJS=true

I think I got the 8.5 foot version of this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166&id=0002836113538a&navCount=2&podId=0002836&parentId=cat20374&navAction=push&catalogCode=5IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20374&hasJS=true

and I think I paid $40, not $25, curses. the rod is pretty ugly it has red and gold wrap, makes it look like a chinese restaurant. but it feels light and sensitive, it'll do the job and probably also
work for kayak fishing on lakes for striper if I ever do that.

it looks like november is the time for fishing deals at cabelas.

Ork... my preference is a moderate to moderate/fast rod to provide better casting performance but still enough shock absorption for light line.  A longer rod with moderate or moderat/fast action will provide more shock absorption than a shorter rod. 

I use a light 8'3" steelhead rod rated for 6-10# line and it has worked great.  It's rated for I think up to 1/2 oz lures, but I feel I can easily cast 3/4 oz or maybe even 1 oz with it.  More than an ounce would be pushing it... especially with 6# line.

Sensitivity (ability to transmit vibrations) is a function of the stiffness to weight ratio of the rod.  The slower the action (less stiff fibers) and the heavier the tip of the rod, the less sensitive it will be in terms of transmitting vibration.  There is definitely a balance to be found between stiffness and sensitivity for any given application.  With custom rods (shameless plug), there are some really light weight guides available that can greatly increase the sensitivity of a slow or moderate action rod simply by substantially reducing the weight on the tip of the rod.

Noodle rods aren't really good for power casting per se... but rather more of a lob-style cast.  Nonetheless, I'd bet they are more than capable of lobbing an ounce out into the perch zone.  I'm sure Alex can reflect on that with more experience.  You don't need to cast that far in most cases anyway.

A spinning rod is defnitely more appropriate for casting light lures in the wind... I'd say anything less than 1/4 oz lures begs for a spinning rod.  I think you could do quite well with 1/2 oz - 1 oz lures with a small baitcaster.  It's mostly a matter of preference in that case I think. 

My $0.02

Erik

My grub rod is a 3 piece, 13 foot Ultra light rod.  Action is probably Med.  The spinning reel had the long spool, to help add distance to casting.  Haven’t used it in a long time.

This rod is very, very light and is sort of like a LOONG trout rod.  I have used 12-15lb mono, but that was before spectra was around.  IMO, a noodle rod has the disadvantages that Erik mentioned, BUT I think the main weakness is the inability to SET the HOOK when you get hammered.  This weaknees is compounded when using stretchy Mono.

I’ve never used spectra for surf fishing, but others have (I think SteveS).  On paper, this would be very good, since you want more sensitivity and the ability to bury the hook. 

I do know that abrasion to mono occurs when surf fishing.  The pounding waves and sand does abrade mono and you do have to change leaders and cut off a few feet of main line after each trip.  Not sure how well spectra holds up.  I’m guessing you’d want to cut a few feet off after every trip too, similar to mono.

Also, CHANGE your hooks too.  They get dull, being dragged through the sand/surf.  You easily notice the difference at the end of a day versus a brand new hook.

Stuart

Thanks all for kindly indulging my questions.

 

Thanks to Alex aka Aliens we have a great new surf perch article just in time for the winter season. Check it out.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=42

Allen are you guys doing the surf perch derby again this year?

Can someone re-post this article?  The link above (famous article by Alien that I read many times about and finally found!!   ) no longer works, it just goes to the front-page.

Thanks,

JonM

Ask Alien himself. Must be a reason for why it was removed.

Jon the article is still there, the link is on the left and side of the front page.

Here it is: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=10

Thanks, Found the article, after you were nice enough to point out where it clearly was..

JonM

I think another sand crab classic is in order... 

I think another sand crab classic is in order...

Email copy & pasted below....

10TH ANNUAL SAND CRAB CLASSIC PERCH DERBY

It's TIME!  SATURDAY MARCH 8, 2014- PORTUGUESE HALL-  1pm Weigh-in Deadline.

Biggest Barred Surf Perch Wins..  (trophies for other perch as well)

The 2014 SAND CRAB CLASSIC PERCH TOURNAMENT is taking sign-ups.
Download the entry form and mail your check, or sign up online using credit card or PAYPAL!  E-Z!

http://www.theletsgofishingradioshow.com/

Bayside Marine at the Santa Cruz Harbor also has entry forms and will accept payment at their shop.

Entries end strictly on Feb 20, 2014

Mike Baxter and I love putting on the derby each year, and together with you, we've raised thousands of dollars for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project over the past nine years.  This is year #10 and we hope it's the biggest and the BEST!

We hope you can make it to the derby again this year, get your entry in quick, we are limiting to the first 300 entries due to space constrictions at the Portuguese Hall, or even if we don't reach 300, we will be ending entries on Feb 20, for planning purposes.

Thanks again and looking forward to seeing you and your winning perch on March 8, 2014!

Sincerely,
Allen Bushnell and Mike Baxter


*Please note:  Derby entry confirmation will come from via email from Paypal after you checkout.  Be sure to enter your email address correctly.  Be sure to include your T-Shirt Size in the "Order Notes" box on the checkout page.

We put on the derby as a community service and to support MBSTP.  It's a whole lotta fun, but also requires a lot of work and time. We can't offer any refunds or rebates if you don't make it on Derby Day, and T-Shirts are distributed on Derby Day only.  Any problems, contact [email protected], and Allen will do his best to resolve.

and T-Shirts are distributed on Derby Day only. 

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