goatmilklover Loc: southern oregon

New to southern Oregon. Used to be a commercial salmon fisherman. Ate so many of them that now i can't eat them unless they are smoked, can barely eat trout. Love catfish and panfish. Want to get into the ocean fishing, especially surf perch as I have been told that they taste like a crappie. My niece married a boy from Poland. He taught me how to book a carp by leaving the skin attached at the tails but taking the scales and bones out. Soak overnight in apple juice then smoke over a apple wood fire. Most people won't eat them but the meat was very mild and tasty. They are sure good fighters.
Would like to meet somebody.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

interesting user name. and now you've met me. I spend a little of my fishing time pursuing the surf perch. I'm just learning to do it up here on the northern coast, which is way different from SoCal where I used to fish for em. They are fairly easy to catch, the hardest part up here is finding a spot that's not too difficult to get to. Beaches and fishable surf can be rare up here. There's a good book available through Amazon called surf fishing: the light line revolution, it's like 6.99 and it's got a lot of good information in it about the perch. Well worth the money. By a guy name of Bill Varney out of LA. I don't know if they taste like crappie, but they are tasty. I use pretty light gear, a long (8 ft or so) rod and light casting or spinning rod, 20 pound braid and 10 pound leader, or no leader, they don't seem to mind. And if you do happen to hook into a striper or a halibut then the fun really begins. Let us hear how you do. Welcome to the stage and post some photos.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Welcome to the Forum, gml. Sorry, I can't help you out, good luck.

DB Ed Loc: Brock, Nebraska southeast ne

Welcome gml no surf perch here

Jeremy Loc: America

Southern Oregon has a lot of lakes and rivers to target Trout. Surf Fishing is possible too. You just need to get with the locals down there. I have caught Surf Perch on Washington side of Columbia River up here. We caught the Salt water worms (they have teeth and hurt) to use for bait.

goatmilklover Loc: southern oregon

Caught 5 trout in less than 2 hrs today, 14-16 inchers, nice pan size. I give them to my elderly neighbors. I have only been able to find small, hand size bluegills around here, so I am still looking as I prefer them over trout. Think that I will go to Bandon tomorrow and see if I can check it out., find out where the jettys are and where I can reach the surf without people. New to surf fishing, never heard of a worm with teeth.

goatmilklover Loc: southern oregon

Tried a bunch of names and they were all rejected, since I raise dairy goats I tried this name, it fits.
Thanks for tips and I will see if I can find the book.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

They don't actually have teeth, they have mandibles, pincers, and they're pretty good with em. But they can't hurt you very badly, they're not poison or anything, kinda like a pincher bug if you have any experience with those things. Just be aware. Or get some of the Berkley artificials, they work, sometimes the perch prefer them. Sand crabs also very good bait because that's what they mostly feed on.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Welcome to "the State of Jefferson", (the locals' story, joke & dream) goatmilklover. I am a Medford-ite.
Gotta be a shame when you have "eaten so much salmon...." , feel for ya' buddy...LOL !
Trying to learn surf perch myself, this year. Rumor has it Gold Beach up to Reedsport, Winchester Bay is decent area. Another buddy mentioned Brookings, but the beaches can get a bit crowded there. Sand crabs, real or Gulp!, drop-shot rig with 2-5oz lead, seems to be the rig of choice. I hear Sputnik (spider) sinkers are best, but I can't find locally, only on-line.... maybe AT the coast, Rogue Outdoor Store in Gold Beach ? I have pyramids and coin-type but the coins slip and pyramids do as well, 'til you get to 4oz+...not exactly "my thing to fling" at that size. I like a 9'-10' rod and use heavy mono.
Feel free to PM me, maybe we can wet a line sometime. If it's inland, I have boats for rivers and lakes and love to share.

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

Hello from Junction City. OR I to love surf fishing tho I don't know much about it Just get lucky once in a while I love fishing the coast lakes in Oregon have a boat and lots of gear

OpielostinLA Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Besides worms and sand crabs what other bait could you use? And what size hook do you suggest, 4 or 6 or even smaller?

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

4 or even a 2. 6 I think is a little small. Depends on what you're throwing. If you want to throw a lure, try a Luckycraft surf pointer. Anything out there will hit it, even the perch, but be ready for stripers and halibut because they like em also. There are quite a few good videos on YouTube - spend some time on there. The larger kastmasters are also good in the surf, easy to throw and fish love em. Talk to the locals. They'll let you know and probably even share. Folks have always been good to me for the most part.

DeanK1 Loc: Lincoln City, OR

Mole crabs and Berkley sandworms work well up here in northerh oregon. There are even opportunities to catch striped surf perch in the mouths of the rivers in my area. Lots of fun to catch. Incoming tides are best.

Good luck! Go get em!

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

Family used to dig razor clams at low tide and fish the incoming tide using the tips of the clam siphons as bait. Tough and stay on the hook. I'd usually end up removing the fish and storing them for everyone else as the bite was fast and furious.

Geomike Loc: Forest Ranch, CA

Hi. Have you ever tried grubbin’ up some perch? You can use bass/panfish plastic grubs to catch surf perch – no kidding. See photo for example of rig and set-up. Slide an egg sinker onto your main line and then tie on a snap swivel to stop the sinker. The sinker weight depends on the wave energy. I use up to one ounce for heavy surf and down to ¼ ounce for light surf. Tie up some 3’ leaders by snelling (see earlier post) some bait holder hooks (barbs on shank hold baits better) on 8-10# test mono or fluorocarbon. Then tie a perfection loop knot (see UTube) at the other end. You should make several of these because you may loose a few. I use Gamakatsu size 8 up to size 2 depending on the size of the grub and fish. I use 3” and 2” grubs most of the time and grubs with salt or scent (Power grubs) work the best. Greens and browns work best but Motor Oil red flake is the most consistent color. When you slide the grubs onto the hooks, bring the hook point out near the end of the body so you have room to slide the grub up and over the hook eye and knot – again holds better. I mainly use a 9’ foot surf rod and Penn reel – easier to handle when casting and reeling. I have used my bass spinning gear when surf is light – more fun. Cast out in between wave sets or waves will sweep sinker in too soon. You want the sinker on the bottom. Start reeling as soon as sinker hits. Keep reeling slowly and when you feel the back surge keep tension on the line or reel slowly. The perch swim in front of the back wash to pick off food. I’ve seen them do this when SCUBA diving in Monterey Bay. Give this a try – it’s fun!