Surf Perch.

farofffisher

farofffisher

Steelhead
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Hello,
I was viewing some older postings and saw a "surf perch" thread.
I'm in Oregon and prefer north coast areas.
I am somewhat familiar of how to read some water types on the coast and understand tides etc.
Any tips for time of year and fly types?
Appreciate any reply
Thanks
 
farofffisher said:
Hello,
I was viewing some older postings and saw a "surf perch" thread.
I'm in Oregon and prefer north coast areas.
I am somewhat familiar of how to read some water types on the coast and understand tides etc.
Any tips for time of year and fly types?
Appreciate any reply
Thanks
Click to expand...
Paging @clarkman ...
 
Used to surf fish with gear quite a bit. As for fly fishing, I've had some success, but I've still got a lot to learn.

That said here are a few things I can say regarding the limited success so far.

1) Surfperch love the color orange. Possibly because mole crab eggs are bright reddish/orange, but who knows. Hard to go wrong with anything weighted tied with orange estaz.

2) They are extremely adept at hiding in foamy water, sometimes very shallow and literally on the beach. In spite of hooking perch in knee deep water with the leader almost at the rod tip. I can only remember seeing them only once or twice.

3) Thanks to point 2, long casts are not always necessary. Ideally, you find them in shallow on an incoming tide feeding on mole crabs. So finding a patch of mole crabs with tide tide out is a great place to try.

4) You already mentioned the importance of reading the water. Beach structure is surprisingly varied, with some parallels to reading river water.
 
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Thanks for the reply.
I think you mentioning color is a good observation.
I have used Shrimp patterns that seem to be more effective when an orange "beard" is added
flats fishing.
Spring seams to be the best time is that correct?
I've read that some locations are barren of fish except into summer.
 
Hard to say for sure. I've heard Spring is the best season, but have done the bulk of my surf fishing in the summer and early fall. A beach we used to camp by almost every year, usually in July or August, was not particularly productive, and sometimes seemingly barren. I've also heard they move into bays and estuaries to spawn - IIRC, early summer. Hoping someone who actually knows will chime in.
 
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Go to the beach you are going to fish at low tide and get the lay of the land. Mark the location of depressions and any structure that might be present and use that information to your advantage.

As for fly fishing for surf perch, is it really worth it? I see them being a lot like crappie fishing in that they can actually be caught with flies but it is so much more efficient with spinning gear. Plus sand and fly reels don't play well together.
 
I know down in Winchester Bay they are fished by folks anchored in boats.
I think June/July.
I saw a pretty interesting fly pattern "Mole Crab".
Looks like fun.
Did you have a fly you liked?
 
iveofione said:
Go to the beach you are going to fish at low tide and get the lay of the land. Mark the location of depressions and any structure that might be present and use that information to your advantage.

As for fly fishing for surf perch, is it really worth it? I see them being a lot like crappie fishing in that they can actually be caught with flies but it is so much more efficient with spinning gear. Plus sand and fly reels don't play well together.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info.
I would worry about the gear...good point.
 
Look up Glenn Yoshimoto and his old website Zen fly fishing. Much of the equipment listed is dated, but it's got the most comprehensive information anywhere, much of which has been covered in the links below from this site. Plus Lee Baermann's website (Fly Fish The Surf).

most of your answers are also here and here.

They're actually a blast on flies and once you get enough time on the water to figure it out, flies can be far more effective in many areas than a spinning rod. It's not any harder on your fly gear than any other saltwater fishing....just don't jam your reel into a sand castle and you'll be fine.

SP.jpg
surf perch.jpg

You get the idea....

This reminds me, I really need to do that again....been a few years.
 
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I’ve been razor clam/surf perch fishing on Washington Pacific coast beaches since the 60’s back as a kid with my folks. We’d dig our razors then cut the tip of the necks for bait. We used spinning rods, chest waders pyramid sinkers rigged with two hooks and when the big waves rolled in, we’d runout with them, cast as far as you could then leave the bail open and head back up the beach where the waves were more manageable. With the big waves and wind, where we fished would be hard to fly cast. Besides….several years ago, I got knocked over by a set of rouge waves. I leaned forward so I wouldn’t get pushed over backwards to tumble only to get hit by the next wave. It was pushing me up the beach underwater feet first, I planted my right foot down and tore my hamstring in two places! Don’t mess with Mother Nature….she can be a real nasty bitch!! And really be careful for logs!
 
Bambooflyguy said:
I’ve been razor clam/surf perch fishing on Washington Pacific coast beaches since the 60’s back as a kid with my folks. We’d dig our razors then cut the tip of the necks for bait. We used spinning rods, chest waders pyramid sinkers rigged with two hooks and when the big waves rolled in, we’d runout with them, cast as far as you could then leave the bail open and head back up the beach where the waves were more manageable. With the big waves and wind, where we fished would be hard to fly cast. Besides….several years ago, I got knocked over by a set of rouge waves. I leaned forward so I wouldn’t get pushed over backwards to tumble only to get hit by the next wave. It was pushing me up the beach underwater feet first, I planted my right foot down and tore my hamstring in two places! Don’t mess with Mother Nature….she can be a real nasty bitch!! And really be careful for logs!
Click to expand...
I have nothing but respect for mother nature...
Never hurts to be reminded
 
So after reviewing a fair amount of threads here as well as elsewhere it appears that perch could be a year round
fishery.
am I reading that correctly?
I have a chance to stay in Lincoln City soon and would love a chance to fish
 
well, they're there year-round. just be careful of that winter swell. Personally, I wouldn't ever target them in the winter due to that. If the swell is down (like, waaay down)....
 
JohnB said:
This is my favorite photo that's been posted on this and the old site. For anyone that doesn't know surf perch are viviparous. Meaning they give live birth.
Click to expand...
thanks!

The ultimate game of "peek-a-boo"
 
clarkman said:
Look up Glenn Yoshimoto and his old website Zen fly fishing. Much of the equipment listed is dated, but it's got the most comprehensive information anywhere, much of which has been covered in the links below from this site. Plus Lee Baermann's website (Fly Fish The Surf).

most of your answers are also here and here.

They're actually a blast on flies and once you get enough time on the water to figure it out, flies can be far more effective in many areas than a spinning rod. It's not any harder on your fly gear than any other saltwater fishing....just don't jam your reel into a sand castle and you'll be fine.

View attachment 140374
View attachment 140375

You get the idea....

This reminds me, I really need to do that again....been a few years.
Click to expand...
Does that second photo count as a double?
 
JohnB said:
This is my favorite photo that's been posted on this and the old site. For anyone that doesn't know surf perch are viviparous. Meaning they give live birth.
Click to expand...
LOL, baby perch is peeking out of Moma Perch.
 
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