Home Forums Fishing Saltwater surf fishing the Oregon coast ?

Was down on the beach near Florence a while back, and several guys were surf fishing and, catching fish!

Anyone give me a few pointers for surf fishing here in Oregon ?

Such as bait, rod/reel, hooks, line and sinkers . Best tides, etc. ?

Thanks! Looks like something this old retired Goat might enjoy !

Virgil B.

Surf perch I'm guessing? Weight on bottom, a couple hooks up the line 12" apart. Most use sand shrimp for bait.

Your best bet is to hit the local bait shop. They'll hook you up. They want you addicted.

Thanks Fireball !

Yes, Surf Perch will be what I'm after.

Local shop has a 10 foot rod/ reel combo, with line for $55.

Figure this would be about right for a "starter" outfit, without investing too much money.

The clerk said he surf fished whenever Salmon/Steelhead aren't running.

Got advice from him on bait, sinkers, and hooks.

I'll be fishing off the sandy beach. Should be FUN!

Virgil B.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/docs/odfwoutdoorssurfperchflyerfinal.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyBMDwhQgQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjWtTIoR3qU

I do some surf perch fishing off WA coast. Its a lot of fun and they eat great. I like gulp sand worms because they stay on the hook well.

Above video has some good basic advice.

You can go to your local bi mart for some basic waders if you dont already have them.

If you dont dig for razor clams that is a blast too since you're on beach. Ive combined fishing fo perch and clamming when season is open.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/where_how/razor_clam.asp

have fun. Really enjoyable way to spend day

ribka;

Thanks !

Went to my local shop (Mazama's in Eugene) yesterday and bought the last 10 foot pole/reel combo they had in stock.

Got sinkers, power bait, hooks. etc.

Can't WAIT to go give it a try !

Virgil B.

You're going to have a ball.

Surf perch fishing can be lots of fun when you find the fish. I'm still a rookie at it but from what I've learned is to hit the beach during low tide to see what is out there. You want to find some areas that have small holes or troughs that the fish will be in and then fish the incoming for best results. Also, better if the surf isn't too big. Sounds like you already have the rod and reel for it, gulp sand worms seem to be popular and I use razor clam necks which also work great. Up here on the north coast I usually try to do the razor clamming on the low/minus tide then when the tide turns I switch to surf perch, makes for a fun day on the beach!!

thats the ticket!

Good advice about finding the troughs and holes during low tide and fshing them when high tide comes in.

More good information!

Thanks guys!

I'm getting excited to give this a try!

Virgil B.

I've had good luck with surf perch on the central california coast using basic fresh water spinning gear. A 6&1/2 or 7' medium light rod, 2500 size spinning reel and six or eight lb mono. I use Berkley "Gulp" scented camo or red blood worms or plastic grubs on a "Carolina" rig; tie a barrel swivel on the end of your line with a 4 to 6 ft leader on the other end of the swivel. Put a small plastic sliding bead above a sliding sinker and a #4 or # 6 hook on the end of the leader. The bead should be between the barrel swivel and sinker. Pretty much what you'd use for fresh water bass. Rinse your rod and reel off each day with fresh water when you're done.

In my experience you don't need to make real long casts or use heavy tackle and I've seen a lot of people catching surf perch with tackle as I've described above. Surf Perch are good fighters but a two pounder's considerably above average and they're often caught in the surf in very shallow water. I'm not saying that's the only way to fish for surf perch but it's worked well for me.

There are lot of good you tube videos on west coast surf perch fishing

Here you go...


http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=1503794





P

Good reading! Thanks!

Good reading! Thanks!

If you get tired of bottom fishing try some shallow running minnow/sardine type lures. The Lucky Craft, "Flash Minnow 110" Sardine Saltwater Series is supposed to be very good for "bigger" surf perch and other species like stripers. There's some good you tube videos of it catching them. Doesn't look like there's much technique to it, just chunk it out and bring it back with a slow steady retrieve. I haven't tried one yet but will give it a shot next month. It better work, like all Lucky Craft lures it's not cheap.

'Nother newbie question:

I watched a video on filleting a Perch, and the guy said the meat was bloody red, because he didn't "bleed" the fish enough.

Don't want to bother gutting if I'm going to fillet 'em, IF I don't need to.

Trying to figure it out. I'm new to this.

Thanks! Virgil B.

Every fish I keep gets its gills cut before it goes in the fish box. The less blood in the meat the better they eat. A pair of scissors works great. Snip snip, in the box. On ice, too.





P

Pharmseller;

Thanks! Sounds like just cutting off the gills will bleed 'em without having to gut them.

Virgil B.

I bleed everything. I only gut salmon. Everything else gets filleted ungutted.




P

Headed to Reedsport in the morning for surf perch...Will give a report..

Appreciate it!

I'll be fishing south of Florence soon as my fishing buddy gets back for vacation.

Virgil B.

It was a good day..I think we just found a big school because there were seals working them also...We got there a couple hours before high tide and fished through until the bite died down about a hour after high..

2 ounces of weight on the bottom then 2 droppers up the line...Fished Berkeley 2 " Gulp Camo Sandworms...Caught a couple doubles also...Always fun.. LOL

nice

looks like good weather too

cant beat a day like that!

They spawn in the bays. Watch the fishing report and when the spawn is on you can catch buckets full in the bay. Ideally you would need a boat though.

Santiam:

Thanks for the report!

Looks like you guys has a ball! And.... caught a bunch of fish!

Will be going over next week to give it a try.

Virgil B.

Went back today..Took a bit to find them,but when I did it was fast and furious...

Looks like a good time. How are they for eating?

Kind of a pain to fillet,but other than that not bad..

Fun stuff!

Finally got a chance to go surf fishing yesterday.

Went over the sea wall at south jetty access road, south of Florence.

I had several bites, but didn't hook anything. My buddy caught two serf perch.

At least I got to try out my new rod/reel and got some casting practice.

We were using the same bait and set-ups.

Will be going back soon, to give it another try.

Fun times even if I didn't catch anything this time.

Virgil B.

Haven't been there so don't know what the beach looks like..You want a beach that drops off fairly fast...I fish just south of there at Sparrow Park...Kinda cool because you can drive the beach...The beach seems a little steeper about a quarter mile before the North Jetty at Winchester and we seem to do good there... Ocean conditions look favorable for Friday and am planning on hitting it...

Cool vid.
I will admit I was wondering, "a helmet?"

Makes sense now.

Thanks.

Santiam;

Thanks for the tips!

We were fishing where it was fairly flat. We fished in one spot where water from a small stream flowed into the sea, and it was really flat there.

NO bites at all.

Will look for steeper beaches. This is a FUN learning process!

Virgil B.

Another good day...Caught our 30 fish limit and threw back more than that...

Looks like you guys had a ball!...Again !

And, caught a BUNCH of fish !

Gotta get down south a little farther, and try it down there.

Looks like you guys caught several doubles!

Gotta check out regs. on driving on the beach. Do I need an off road sticker and a flag on my truck?

Virgil B.

Well,that is a good question and have researched it myself without luck...I see as many without flags as with..Had folks tell me they are not needed and had folks tell me they were..

The first couple times I didn't have anything...Then I bought a cheap flag at WalMart (for bicycles,5 bucks) and zip tie that to my CB antennae.. Now I am considering just paying the 10 bucks for a permit for just in case..

Right now there are few people down there but as the weather improves so will the people and, law enforcement..LOL

Time your trip so you have wet sand to drive on,out and back.., You have one small creek to cross,but it is not a problem.. The road to the beach is kinda rough in spots..

Thanks Santiam!

I know you have to have an off-road sticker and flag for driving on the sand dunes.

I have an off-road sticker and flag on my sandrail, and my buddy has the same on his Jeep.

My truck is a Tacoma 4X4 TRD, w/airlock rear end, so I think it will do OK on firm sand.

Best to just buy the sticker, and mount a flag, to make sure.

I have an Oregon off-road license.

Can't WAIT to get back over and give it another try!

Virgil B.

A good surf report is something a surf fisherman can't live without..I use this,

https://magicseaweed.com/Winchester-Bay-Surf-Report/319/

Looks like a good window Tues,Wen and Thur...

We will probably go tomorrow because of the timing of high tide..

Chilly today on the beach..

Looks like a fun time was had!

We're planning a trip over on the first. Supposed to be a good fishing day, according to the tide book.

Virgil B.

OK, A word for your safety:

Along the northern coast they have what is called "SLEEPER WAVES" they are very large and come out of nowhere. I have heard reports of several people being wiped off the beach and never seen again. The "SLEEPERS" are just that and do not just appear or are related to big surf. So just keep and be aware.

I keep one eye on my line, and the other on the waves!

I have a very healthy respect for the power of the ocean.

Thanks for the heads up! Always a good idea to watch closely.

Virgil B.

My greatest fear is that after I make a cast,the tsunami sirens will go off..

Well, this has been a very nice little thread. I am new to W Oregon but far from new to fishing. Maybe interested folks could meet up and fish a bit together. Any interest?

Looking at the surf forecast ,it doesn't look like anybody is fishing for a while...

Happy Birthday Bill (Uncas)!

Went over, and found Sparrow park road yesterday. It's only about 20 minutes from Florence.

The beach access was flat, but soft sand. No problem in four wheel drive.

We got there too early, and the tide was out.

Did see one seal, and thought that was a good "sign"

Didn't get any bites, and tried several spots along the beach.

Will be going back closer to high tide to try again, later in the month.

Fun trip, and fun exploring.

Virgil B.

You're winning! Have fun!

We went yesterday and limited again,,Sparrow park... Got there 3 hours before high tide and fished through high until the bite died about a hour after high..

However.our usual spot was very slow and we traveled the beach until we found them,then it was good fishing..

Wished you had done better..

Looks like another fun, and successful trip!

We'll be going back over toward the end of the month, about the 28th.

Looks like a good tide and a big "dot" in the tide book.


Virgil B.

Good videos Santiam, thanks.

We just got back from fishing for surf perch at Cayucos on the central Ca. coast. Pretty windy with some rain, hard to get out as far as you were with the light gear and Carolina rigs we were using but we caught some fish. Not as many as in your videos but a couple that were the biggest I've ever caught. One estimated at two pounds and another at three. The older I get the more I like surf perch fishing. Very basic without a lot of high tech stuff. If you're using those Gulp camo sandworms and keep moving you'll usually get some fish.

Good reading...that looks like a good time without having to invest a lot of money in expensive equipment. Thanks guys.

Heading back over to the coast next Monday to give it another try.

Should be a fun time!

Virgil B.

Good luck..Looking forward to your report...We went back over Friday and limited...Didn't post any pics because I have plenty on here already..LOL

We were half mile or so North of the North jetty...

Santiam;

Thanks for the tip on location! 'course one never knows for sure where the fish are going to be.

Virgil B.

Humboldt county. Sand crab, costco peeled uncooked shrimp or horseneck clam pieces works the best for me.

Allan

Went surf fishing at Sparrow Park road yesterday morning.

We got there just before high tide and fished for about 2 hours.

Between the three of us we probably caught over 30 fish.

When the tide was about 1/2 way out, the bite died off.

We through back lots of fish, but filleted out some of the bigger ones.

I caught the first dubble of the day, and both buddies caught dubbles.

A fun time was had!

Virgil B.

Cool...You planning another trip yet??

Looks like we will be going over about the middle of April.

We all had a ball! And all want to go again!.

Seemed like it was "fish on" every two minutes!

One buddy is still working and two of us are retired.

Gotta plan around the working guy's schedule.

Thanks again for sharing the information on this spot!

Virgil B.

Well the Oregon weather is getting pretty nice! We were day tripping the coast this week, Newport to Cannon beach. Low tides and just a few surf anglers and clammers. Everyone we saw was leaving...a few had limited success. Any updates?