Anyone surf fishing on the coast?

[jmpurser]

I thought I'd run out to Westport next week. I've got a surf rod I'm dying to try out and I hear surf perch run all year. Anyone been there recently or have any suggestions about locations, gear, or other fish? It will be my first trip out there.

Thanks,

John

[Dave]

I was there from 10-04 through 10-11. I stayed at Grayland Beach State Park in a camp site right on the edge of the ocean dunes just 100 feet from the beach. I was on the beach daily. I saw one guy give it a try but he didn't last long casting into the giant waves. I also checked out the south jetty in Westport where I hear they fish. I never saw anyone fishing the jetty and often the waves were crashing over the jetty. I was in Westport almost every day that I was there. I saw a few fishing the public pier in Westport (float 20) but didn't see if they had harvested anything. Lastly I saw several on the marina's floats waiting for the silvers to swim by. They were catching Jack salmon in the 16 inch range but that was it. The silvers wern't in and the few schools that swam by were small. Ill bet they are in thick now so your timing might be great for that fishery. So, I returned from my trip and read several responses I received from folks on this web site regarding fishing Westport’s surf. Sp after my trip was over and I was back home I learned that one place to catch surf perch is in Half Moon Bay. The bay is in Westport between the south jetty and the marina. The water is much calmer and bait presentation there should be no problem. I did check out this bay while I was there but didn't fish because I didn't know that was the place to do it. I also saw no one else fishing Half Moon Bay while I was there. I just watched the surfers and took lots of pictures. Anyways, Half Moon Bay might be the ticket. Good luck.

[jmpurser]

Thanks Dave. If the waves are running big I'll hit half moon bay. Maybe we can get together for a trip over there some time.

John

[Fish-or-man?]

I swear by the south jetty, but if there are waves crashing over it steer clear obviously, ha ha. I'll be staying in Westport this weekend (26th-28th) for the clam tides, and will do some fishing of the south jetty if waves permit. If it isn't typhoing out there I'd recommend casting sand shrimp with the biggest weight you can get away with on an incoming or slack tide. I say that because you want to get out far as possible, which you probably already knew. I like fishing off of the south side of the south jetty, casting into the waves, due to the obvious luxury of not having to get beaten up by standing in the waves. I think everytime I've tried surf fishing in the waves I've gotten knocked on my butt at least once. I didn't know halfmoon bay was good surf perch habitat until reading Dave's last post! So I'll have to give that try if I can't get out on the big jetty.

I'll let you know how I do! Tight lines jmurper!

[jmpurser]

Thanks Fish-or-man? I'll look forward to your report. One of the reasons I'm going during the week is to avoid the clammers who I hear can get kinda thick.

I think the Jetty is out for me. I've got a bad back and I just don't see me clambering around on those rocks. On the other hand I do have a surf rod so I should be able to reach out fairly well from dry sand to fish holding water. Right now I'm planning on running up there Tuesday but I'm keeping an eye on the weather as well.

[Dave]

John, Let us know how you did. I live 5 hours from Westport so it's an effort for me to make it there. My wife and I try to go once a year for a week during the off season. I say off season referring to the camping season. We like to stay on the state park when it is less busy, (not so many screaming kids and loud families who don't care about anyone but themselves), so going in the summer is out for me. I will let you know when we plan to go again next year. Maybe in late September. I want to try Half Moon bay which I am told is a good area for perch. Will watch for your post results.

Dave

[jmpurser]

I had to call off the trip this week. Between the back and VA trips it just wasn't going to happen. Now I'm tracking the weather for next week.

[Fish-or-man?]

I was in Westport this weekend, but Saturday I didn't fish and on Sunday I only targeted sea bass. I didn't see anybody surf perch fishing either. Sooo I'm no help at all.