Nice Marone. Skunkasaurus and I hit up Manresa beach yesterday, didn't do too hot though. We caught about 4-5 perch each but nothing big. I'm glad you had a chance to get out perch fishing and landed some big perch.

Just curious, where is Zmodowski??

My apologies...spelled Zmudowski state beach

South of Manresa and Sunset but north of Moss Landing. You can find it on Google Maps. Been there 4 times. It's where I caught my first stiper in the surf. I suggest going there at high tide only. I went there at low once and it was pretty much un-fishable, to many weeds out there when it was low...

I have heard from many people that you need to be really careful about what you leave in your car. People break into cars a lot here. When you go on the road, you will see why...it's pretty secluded.

I just put a sign on my car that says "If you break into this car, I will eat your children" They usually leave my truck alone.

hey bang if we go, you're driving

LOL...looks like I'm going to need a sign to put on as well if this place is that notorious for car break-ins. The thieves always know where to look and secluded area is numero uno as always.

so as far as the weeds/kelp goes, does it actually get better at high tide? just asking because I was at Carmel beach 4th of july weekend and the kelp was bad throughout the day, making it nearly un-fishable. just wondering if this place has days where it is completely un-fishable throughout the day so I can be prepared with a backup spot.

in any case, thanks for the helpful info.

skunk - i call shotgun and dubs.

I took Marce there after I caught a striper in the surf last year and it was low tide. Just so happens, my first trip was at the perfect time, 2 hours before high tide. During the low, every cast, I would bring up the weeds...it was weird. Totally new to this but definitely not a spot you want to be at during a low tide.

I am heading to Pajaro Beach on Saturday morning. It just north of Zmudowski. You can see it from Zmudowski...looks good. This weekend has a high tide is at 10am. Might want to make an early trip to get the best shot at getting some fish. Plus that beach has parking spots near houses, so probably not so much of a break in your car spot.

Actually, look like where I wanted to go is a private beach. Guess I am going back to Zmudowski and walking north.

the beach is private or access is private?

i thought all CA beach homes have easements on them that allow anyone to walk the beach like a sidewalk (maybe this is what you meant by walk north)

marone the beach that I think that you are talking about is off of the Riverside Rd exit..It is on beach Rd.If you are coming from the north .take the riverside exit and then turn right by the Chevron.Go down to the light and turn left on beach rd,Then go all the way till it ends at the beach. theres a park there. but it does not open untill 8 am i think.But you can park outside of the park .there is about 10 spaces and additional parking on the road.there is some kind of a dunes colony across the street.So your car is in a safer place than zmudowski.The beach is close right over the hill.I went there last week and got a couple of bites.there are some nice holes .like zmudowski and your right next to the dunes colony.Ikinda like the place and right next to where you park they have bathrooms and outside showers .its cool and you pay no fee unlike sunset and manressa.And it is not a private beach.

Thanks man!

Marone,

Great Report and Pictures!!!!!!! I know some guys don't like to catch perch but it's just like going crappie fishing. It's just fun to do. When you find a school of fish it can be non stop action. You should check out a 10' or 10.6
light action steelhead rod (brand of your choice). It's a whippy action but it's great for perch and it allows you to cast out a little further if you need to. It makes for a challenging fight if you hook a striped bass.

That beach you were at holds some big perch. Guys have been catching stripers out there using sand crabs!!!!!

Let us know how you do on the next outing.

Glenn

Fished Manresa from 1pm until 6pm. The water was on the rise when I arrived. I caught 2 big perch both solid 2 pounders. Total fish caught was 32!!!!!!! Camo Sandworm did the trick.

Awesome report Glenn! Glad to hear the bite is coming back.

A shame about the thieving. I used to have that problem a few times when I was younger and lived in those places they target. I was even going to set up an electrical device or blades under the door handles till I found out they can sue you for doing this even though they broke in to your car. One method used to be getting a car alarm pager but by the time you get back it's too late.
Grat's on the nice perch. I have to get out to the beach again. It's been 2 years since.

Hey Guys!

I've been sick with a cough/cold for the past three weeks. Just about got this cold beat. Friends of mine have been sending emails and it seems that the perch bite is still more consistent in the Watsonville/Santa Cruz area.

There's been a lot of seaweed around the local Monterey/Seaside beaches. I'm hoping to get out there next weekend. First stop will be Manresa Beach.

Keep on posting. Since I haven't been able to fish I've been turning to you guys.....

I have been out in the Watsonville area a couple of times last week and caught a couple of nice ones. One was about 1lb and the other was 1.6lb caught on different days with a few other small guys in between.

I'm still new to surf fishing so any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am seeing some different rigs used out there and am not sure if one is more effective than the other.
The rig I use is carolina with an egg sinker, but I have seen guys with those red sliders with a pyramid or torpedo type weight hooked up. Is there a difference or is this personal preference?