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.