Winter storms and large swells have shifted sand and brought barred surf perch. There is something about walking the beach between winter storms as the ocean rages and clouds form a backdrop while fishing for winter perch. The energy from the ocean as you comb the beach in search of treasures and fish is exciting. Walking the beach for perch is also a great way to burn a few holiday calories.
It has been a great winter for barred surf perch. Both the incoming “flood tide” and the peak of high tide seem to be the best times for perch. An angler’s most common approach is to look for the holes or rip currents to fish for perch although there are times they may be found up on the flats or crest of sand bars. Sometimes they are caught close to shore while other times perch may be favoring the further casts. The key is to be mobile; as the sand and waves shift, keep moving until you find the most productive area. Perch roam the beaches as fast as the ocean current so it helps to keep moving and find the best pattern.
As quick as perch move and the ocean changes, techniques for perch have remained the same for years. There are two techniques that continue to work; using bait or artificial lures. Bait anglers prefer shrimp of all types. Sand Shrimp, ghost shrimp, cocktail shrimp as well as chunks of prawn all work. As Bubba Blue from the movie Forrest Gump said, “Shrimp is the food of the sea.” Sand crabs and pile worms also work well as perch bait.
Anglers using artificial lures for perch tend to use “grubs.” Grubs are soft rubber lures and also come in many shapes and sizes. Brown or motor oil color is the most popular while new soft baits like Berkley Gulp sand worm or artificial sand crabs have been working well. Again, comb the beach, look for holes, rip tides or areas that are producing bites and fish. When the perch bite is when you may be hooking fish on every cast. Barred perch range in size from eight inch half pound models all the way up to 16 inchers that will tip the scale over two pounds. The limit is 10 fish and only the amount you will eat should be kept.
The 12th annual Sand Crab Classic is open for entries and is a great way to meet other perch anglers. The competition is fun and friendly with a dash of seriousness mixed in. The event donates all proceeds to Monetery Bay Salmon and Trout Project and is a fun way to give back. Entries started the first of the year and will close February 8th.The event usually sells out to a limited amount of people. Find more information online at www.theletsgofishingradioshow.com and at local tackle stores.
Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 20 years. Contact him at
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