ILB,
Carolina rig is the way to go. It's simple and easy to fish. Basically boils down to preference. If you are the type of fisherman that likes to move along the beach at a good pace then egg sinker is fine. I know guys that use the red slider and pyramid sinkers. They fish a little slower and let it sit out there.

I've read post where guys say you need to keep a steady retrieve back in with a carolina rig but I beg to differ. There have been many times when I figured out where the fish were and would cast out and let the carolina rig sit dead in the water. The wave action is enough to move my grub around and get the little tail on the grub moving.

I like to keep it simple....carolina rig.

Glenn

The weather change means the larger perch will be in close to shore. Now is the time to get your perch gear ready. The fun part of grubbing for perch is it's low maintenance. You just grab your stuff and go!!!!

Just a little safety tip for guys/gals new to surf fishing. The Monterey Bay shoreline changes in the winter. Due to the wave/current/tide activity some areas of the beach that are normally flat in the summer now have drop offs into deep water. The wave action has a lot more power behind it and the tidal flow can be a lot higher than normal. An average high tide in the summer may be 4.0 to 5.5. In the winter the high tides can reach 6.0 to 7's. This are tides I don't bother fishing because it is very rough water. The significance of knowing your tidal flow is many of the beaches have eroded to the point at high tide the water hits the base of the sand dunes. If you not careful and start fishing when the tide is low you could find yourself with nowhere to run when high tides peaks and your caught between the crashing surfline and the steep dunes. This is more the case if you fish between Marina Beach south towards Seaside.

You may hear people say, "Watch out because the waves can knock you down!" I've seen more fisherman get into trouble by standing way to close to the waters edge and letting water rush past them as they stand in one place. What they don't realize is the tides surge. You can stand in one place and have water surge past you only getting knee deep. Then out of no where the big one comes in and your in waist deep water. It's the tidal flow going back out to see that pulls you to your knees then rolls you down into the surf. Good swimmer or not it doesn't matter when you rolling down the breach in the water.

If you look down the beach you will see the high and low spots in the winter time. The low spots are where the water surges the highest so try to stand on the humps. Or at least be aware of where you are standing and keep an eye on the wave action. Never turn your back on the ocean. Walk way up on the beach if you need to clear a tangle or retie a hook.

Just wanted to throw that out there. Our beaches are eroding at a fast rate and our tidal flows are rising. Winter time is not a good time to take small kids out fishing with you!!!!!!!!!

Have fun this winter. It's the time the perch action is off the hook! But more importantly be safe doing it.

Glenn

Great advice Glenn.
I'm ready for some winter surf perch fishing. See ya in the surf. Safety First....

thanks for the info Glenn...when I was younger, I had no knowledge of any of that and had many close calls nearly getting swept into the ocean, not just from the water, but the kelp washed up and tangled around my legs and it was so big that when the water was going back out, it just pulled me down but luckily there were some rocks nearby that I was able to grab onto. If it weren't for those rocks, theres no way I could have resisted the strength of the heavy kelp tangled on my leg plus the water going back out.

in any case, I was thinking of heading out to HMB one of these weekends for some surf fishing. just waiting for a nice day when its not raining. will post a report once I get out there.

I think we need a SJB Surfcasting Fling very soon.

I agree.

I've seen more than one guy get pulled down in the surf and have helped a few from getting sucked all the way down. If you're going to help someone don't try to pull them up the beach. Plan your feet, lean back into the beach and pin the person to the ground. if you try to pull someone against the receding surf you'll get pulled in too.

I hate to be dramatic but every year there is either a near drowning or drowning at Marina Beach. The sad thing is it's all preventable.

On a happier note....A buddy of mine cut out of work early and hit Manresa Beach this afternoon. He missed the hight tide at noon and was fishing the outgoing tide. The red tide was gone and the water was clear of any seaweed.....Oh ya, did I mention he caught a striper!!!! The striped bass are still hanging around that beach.

I'm heading out tomorrow to target some perch but hope to get a bonus striper!!!!!! I'll post a report. Heading to Manrea. The plan is to try out the left side of the parking near the condos. A lot of sand crabs were seen in that area.

Glenn

Manresa was clear of any red tide and no seaweed in sight! Caught a nice limit of perch and also caught a nice bonus.....STRIPER!!!!! It wasn't the biggest fish ever but its perfect for the BBQ. It was 22 inches. I hooked another one that was bigger. Played it for a while then I pulled the hook out of its mouth trying to horse it up onto the beach. I take one any day.

Glenn

way to go glenn! did you catch that on your perch setup using a grub/pile worm or another setup? man, I've been wanting to catch a striper...I should hit up manresa.

IB,

I knew the striper were still hanging around the area because I've been out and witnessed guys catching them this past week. I usually use a # 2 baitholder hook with a 1.5" motor oil grub. I've had strikes that I know for sure were stripers but couldn't get that #2 hook to set in. This time out I switched to a owner mosquito hook. I believe it was a #2. I threaded on a whole 6" camo saltwater worm (Gulp) and fished the whole worm. When I caught the fish fish I knew for sure it was a solid hook up....there was no doubt about it. I'm glad I switched out hooks.

I've caught striped bass with a #2 baitholder and a grub before but I've missed more that I've caught with that small hook. I normally don't use a whole camo worm but likeI said, I knew the stripers were there so I wanted to make it as appetizing as possible. Next time out I'm going to throw my favorite striper jig, White Hair Raiser with a tail. I've caught more striped bass with that simple lure than anything else I have in my bag.

Two weeks ago a guys using sand crabs caught 2 20lb stripers in the same day. So the bigger fish are out there to. I guess there is still time to catch that last minute striper.....

Glenn

Glenn,
Nice catch my friend! The last two times I've gone to manresa I did not catch a thing. I was working past the bridge using Berkely camo sandworms 4", Kalins motor oil grubs, 2" sandworms and a few other plastics but never got any hook ups?
I might be going out this saturday. If I do I'm going to got to manresa again. I'll probably stop by san jose and pick up some grass shrimp before I go. I've caught some perch with them. Do you ever use grass shrimp?
Another question. How do you cook and prepare your perch?
Scale and gut them for sure. Do you cut the fins off? Do you keep the head on? Pan fry or grill? Thanks in advance. Just wanted to check....just in case I catch some on saturday!
Thanks Glenn!

GhostSlayer

When I was at manresa, I had the most luck with the 2" camo sandworms on a #4 octopus hook for perch, but it seems like most grubs & worms work there. Of course, grass shrimp or regular white shrimp works great too.

I usually scale, gut, and remove all fins prior to cooking. I know there's many different ways to cook fish, but I usually grill or steam them. Also, sprinkling some salt and putting it in the fridge for couple hours helps as well.

Thanks iBangBangU.
Apprecitate the input. Yeah the 4" camo sandworms I would cut in half. I tried nose hooking them as well as threading them on....no luck.
The last time I went out some guy was using clams and he had caught a couple. I rigged up some leaders for saturday last night. I'll be taking leaders with #6 & #4 Owner Mosquito hooks and a few with Gami #2 Octopus hooks. I'm hoping I can get some action.
Cool, thanks for the cooking tips!

GhostSlayer

scale em....gut em....then fry em....and/or bake em wrapped in foil with soy sauce, olive oil and top it with scallion and ginger(julienne).....mmmmmmm yummmmm!

Thanks for the replies fellas!
I'll be heading to manresa tomorrow for some perch. I'll have an extra pole soaking out there to see if I can get myself a striper....but mainly I'll be going for perch.
I'm going to hit up Fishery Supply in San Jose for some grass shrimp tonight just so I don't have to go tomorrow morning. I hope I can keep the grass shrimp alive until tomorrow morning?
You guys have any tips on keeping them alive until tomorrow?
I'll post a report as soon as I get back from my fishing adventure....
Tight Lines!

GhostSlayer