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I spent my Thanksgiving weekend out at the ocean. We stayed in Seabrook, located maybe 1 mile from Copalis/Moclips, etc. Whenever I go to the ocean I always pack a surf casting outfit to take a little time to enjoy some fishing for the surf perch. I think that you can be succesful at this type of fishing most nearly any Washington coast beach. I brought with me razor clam necks which I purchase at the grocery store here in Seattle. At 17 bucks a pound they are pricey bait... but it all goes towards a nice time at the beach,lol. This seems to be the bait of choice if you do your homework, as the razor clams are all over these beaches, thus the fish feed on them. (fyi, don't harvest clams from the beach unless you are aware of the harvesting season. It is very stricly controlled.)
Anyway... I left my son sleeping and slipped down to the beach below Seabrook. At this time of year the surf is VERY rough. Many people even where life jackets while fishing in the surf. Be careful. I rigged up a drop shot rig with a weight at the bottom about the size of your eyeball. Two hooks about that, at 12 and 20" from weight. Between razor clam necks and Squid... clam necks are by far the better bait. Use the most muscley part of the neck in order to stay on the hook. My technique is to time the surf.... as it retracts... run out there to where your comfortable (safety).. cast that sucker as fas as possilbe. I think I through it about 150'. You will think that it is not far enough due to the waves breaking like 700' past where you cast.
No worries..... once it hits the water, leave the bail open,, and run back to safety. Close bail... tighten up slack. These little fish hit pretty hard. There is no mistaking a bite or not. Considering you have 300' of line out, I set the hook hard. It was hits on nearly every cast. I admit that I only kept one fish, due to the fact that my hooks were to big. Otherwise the bucket would easily be filled. People recommend an incoming tide, as the fish are scouring the sand for those clam necks. It's a fun way to fish, and if you saw the surf you would say, "No way will I catch fish in that." They're out there and it's easy. Very good tasting fish for breakfast.

afk

11/28/2010 6:30:00 PM

Sounds like an adventure! Thanks for the report.

BMGW

11/28/2010 7:05:00 PM

Nice report, good to see someone after the surfies. They will come in a lot closer than you think because they turn on their sides and ride the trough under the water they move really fast thats why they hit so hard, they like sand shrimp even better as that is their staple diet but clam necks are a close second but for bait they can't be beat because they are so hard to get off the hook. Good job! Now how do you like to fix your surf perch??

Toni

11/28/2010 7:08:00 PM

Nice report. I haven't fished in the surf since I was in my 20's by my Grandparent's property. They were good eating.

danm

11/28/2010 7:33:00 PM

Thank you for the report!. I have to go try it myself. What time of year is best to fish for surf perch? What is the average size?

The Quadfather

11/28/2010 9:26:00 PM

Danm, I hear that it is OK year 'round. They say the hardest time is in rough (winter surf) when it chops up the beach, and the water becomes brown. Of course that is right like it was this weekend, and I did fine. Just go for it.

natetreat

11/28/2010 9:44:00 PM

Aaaaaahhh I love fishin' for the surfies! they get really big out there by Westport, I grew up out there. They get like 2 feet long sometimes! They really like sand shrimp too, but the surf perch aren't that picky at all, I usually just use night crawlers or pile worms, on account of they're usually free. Where are you getting your clam necks in Seattle? Awesome times, thanks for the report, always a pleasure to read.

kenbarb

11/28/2010 10:56:00 PM

Good report Quadfather, sure sounds like a lot of fun.

The Quadfather

11/29/2010 10:05:00 AM

Nate, clam necks in Seattle can be had at most of your better grocery stores. Particularly Central Market in the Shoreline area of Aurora. Or Ballard Market. Not likely at Safeway.

coretron22

11/29/2010 7:18:00 PM

thanks! really interesting and informative post.

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