Biikini Bottom 10/4

Flat and sunny, out for about 3 hours. Caught mostly a bunch of little rfs, a couple of lings both around 26", not the best day as far a fishing goes. I hate coming home empty handed but I guess that's the way of the world.

My buddy caught a very unusual mystery fish though. It was about 12", reddish/purple with bluish stripes, kind of shaped like a perch, very tropical looking. Anybody have an idea what it might be? I've never seen one of those before.

a perch?

Name that fish!

striped surfpersh
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/FishID/Embiotoca_lateralis.jpg
or check fishbase

I guess the Surf perch have to go somewhere when there's no surf... He was a Half-Mile Offshore Striped Kelp Perch today.

They're everywhere when diving.  Pretty common, just not big biters I guess.   

"just not big biters I guess."

Yeah, this guy was ambitious. I'm surprised he took on that big rockcod jig with that little tiny mouth.

Those things are TOUGH if you try to spear one. Unless your tip is sharp sharp, it will not penetrate.