Introduction to Surf Perching

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?

Wow!  Great article!

I'm stoked.  Might even have to buy a 10' noodle rod like Alex uses in my pursuit of these feisty little gamefish.  Good job, Alex.  You will definitely be a contender in the 2d  Annual Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Derby this year.  The date is almost set, probably the 1st week of February.  Mike Baxter is negotiating for the Santa Cruz Yacht Club for use of that facility for the awards ceremony and BBQ.  The BIGGEST derby for the smallest gamefish.  It's a blast! 

Last year we had 155 entrants fishing on one of the worst days of the Winter.  50 kt gusts, rain and a 10 foot swell.  Bob Hirsch won the contest with 54 inches of perch limit, including one 15 3/4 inch moster caught with grass shrimp down by Seaside.  2d place was like 50 inches from a guy fishing Cowell's Beach.  The Derby benefits the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, and there will be great prizes donated from manufaturers and retailers in the Bay Area.

You're a little ahead of the curve, here, Bill.  We're just now getting the Ops plan together. 

Thanks Alex for the tips, I might go practice later this afternoon.


Allen

Aww come on Allen us dad's to be need to map out of fishing days months in advance  Save up the WAF, get a little bonus WAF etc....

If you need some help let me know.

Good article and good news -- glad to see the Sand Crab is on again this year!  Allen, if you need any help getting it together, I'd be happy to help.

I've been out 6 or 8 times for perch already this year, although it's a bit early for the hot BSP bite.  I've been using a telescopic rod that fits perfectly into one of my bicycle saddle bags and scooting the 1.5 miles down into Capitola to see what I can see.  Haven't managed a BSP yet, although I hit a bunch of little shiner perch.

I cannot wait for that hot BSP bite!    

Alex,

Nice article and great pictures!!!

I remember the days of the the 3 oz pyramid sinker, sand spikes and sand crabs!!!  We typically did better on the incoming and outgoing high tide, as low tide often left some of the holes un exposed.

While bait fishing, I also remember a lot of the hits occured in really, really close, just behind the backwash of the surf where the perch are feeding in the churning water.  It took awhile to learn this, but as I was getting outfished by the old guys, I learned not to "over cast" beyond the fish.

Stuart

Good job, Alex.  You really know your stuff!

http://http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=3

A great intro to surf perching by Alex Vlasco. Covers the basic tackle and techniques needed to fight and land these great wintertime sportfish.





Growing up near the beaches of the Monterey Bay the sea shore was my play ground. My dad and grandpa used to take me along with them when they went fishing off the beach. I could remember seeing  all the fisherman and their long, long fishing poles and their sand spikes all lined-up on the beach. As dad and grandpa would set up their poles I would run up and down the beach looking into the buckets of all the other fishermen. I would always be so excited to see all the . . .

Thanks for sharring some of your secrets Alex

Brian 3Dog

Great article the pictures got me excited. One type of fishing I've have never tried I used to fish SF Bay for some huge perch at Alameda rock wall and T.I but never in the surf. Now I have something to try when the rivers are too muddy for steelies.
I bet that last picture with the reel stuck in the sand really made Alan T. crindge

I put my money on Rockhopper,,,
He has game in this area..

Fun fish to catch...

We need to get out there and practice, Matt!

I just started perch grubbing this year, so I'm not sure what the best times in our area are.

With all the 6 day work weeks I have for the next two or three months fishing is gonna be tough.

Especially since Bob and I have our friend's boat for awhile. Those few days off will probably be spent chasing sturgeon.

Did Rock Hopper and Bob just give us kayak anglers the finger from a powerboat?  Maybe I should repost that photo on the "Pier fishing in California" where Rock Hopper is a regular, I'm sure they'd love to see it.

Brian

Maybe I should repost that photo on the "Pier fishing in California" where Rock Hopper is a regular, I'm sure they'd love to see it.

Brian

Pescare would delete it in a heartbeat!

Hope the picture doesn't offend anyone. I didn't think it was any worse than the smiley that gives you the double bird! 

Oh, it wasn't being flipped the bird that I saw as offending.

Actually, I'm not offended at all, it's just that on the pier fishing board people don't even dare write the word "boat" in their posts, let alone post photos of themselves on one.  The bird flipping was just a nice touch.

Brian

Sorry for the newbie question, but I\'d love some specs / example models of what exactly y\'all consider to be a ~10\' \"ultra light noodle rod.\"