SFCMcGan
12/19/2017 8:44:00 AMSurf fishing is the best! Yeah.. chest waders with a tight chest belt will help alot... use inexpensive reels.. they will always get sand in them... I use a dropshot rig with hooks 6" and 12" above the weight. and gulp 2" sand worms so much fun!
TrackerPro16
12/19/2017 8:49:30 AMWhat kind of weight and how heavy are you using? How far out are you casting? Along the beach or out in the surf? Many questions! Ha, ha! I was using a drop shot rig as well...
SFCMcGan
12/19/2017 2:37:12 PMI use a 2 or 4oz cannon ball sinker... a 10'6" fenwick spinning rod with a cabelas "salt Striker" spinning reel loaded with braid (I use a cannon release to prevent braid casting cuts). I stand approx thigh deep in the surf... I can reliably cast 150' with 2oz weights.. but truthfully... I usually get the hits about 50' out when reeling in slow and steady. NEVER turn your back on the ocean surf.... NEVER!
Ripleyboy
12/19/2017 12:21:20 PMI am planning on giving surf fishing a try soon. No crowds....plenty of fish....and good eating. Next up....my gear. Surf rods don't look expensive given how long they are. The biggest expense will be my waders.
Should be fun.
Should be fun.
The Quadfather
12/19/2017 1:23:13 PMTrackerpro, I prefer the pyramid shaped weights, usually about 2 oz. i believe. You got it on drop shot rig... Def! Chest waders.
Cast straight out, your best length cast.
You dojt have to cast past the breaking waves, u wont be able to, LOL. No worries.. those perch are all over out there.
Length of rod is greatest factor in your cast distance.
Cast straight out, your best length cast.
You dojt have to cast past the breaking waves, u wont be able to, LOL. No worries.. those perch are all over out there.
Length of rod is greatest factor in your cast distance.
bob johansen
12/19/2017 4:06:35 PMI used to catch a lot of perch after a clam tide and dig. I kept the tip of the neck when cleaning the clams and used them for bait. Many perch gather after a clam dig to find tid-bits left from broken clams.
branweeds
12/20/2017 3:43:13 PMSand crabs on a bait holder hook work really well too. Fished for Redtail Surf Perch this summer and had really good luck with them.
branweeds
12/21/2017 9:37:50 AMSand crabs on a bait holder hook work really well too. Fished for Redtail Surf Perch this summer and had really good luck with them.
bigyfish
12/21/2017 10:11:16 PM2 ounce pyramid weight is best. The shape keeps the sinker from rolling in the surf and current. Sand shrimp are easily the best bait. Try using the pyramid weight like slip sinker setup with 24 inch leader, or dropshot. it all works when using sand shrimp. use a good casting pole, the giant surf casting poles are not necessary. I have had luck at times casting off the south side of the south jetty at high slack tide. The other comments posted are good ones too.
ONCOfisher
12/22/2017 11:07:41 AMThey're tons of fun with a lighter gear - like an 8 foot light spinning outfit set-up with a Carolina style rig with just enough weight to get it into the troth (I've even seen dudes with like a 6ft ultralight setup - it gives the perch "a fighting chance"). You don't need to cast far really, just into that slack spot right after the wave break - you can sometimes see their fins running back and forth through the troth. GULP sandworms (especially the shorter ones) stay on the hook forever and you can get a good 4-5 fish with just one before having to replace it.
Most people find that their flesh can be "mushy" and some recommend to ice the fish as soon as you catch it - I've tried that and found some improvement. But if you fry them up nice and crispy they sure are good. I like to filet them - and find that they are kinda like crappie. Find a school of them and it can get downright fast and furious - loads of fun.
Most people find that their flesh can be "mushy" and some recommend to ice the fish as soon as you catch it - I've tried that and found some improvement. But if you fry them up nice and crispy they sure are good. I like to filet them - and find that they are kinda like crappie. Find a school of them and it can get downright fast and furious - loads of fun.