04-12-2003, 10:29 PM
[cool]A lot of the most successful surf perch addicts throw nothing but light tackle and small plastics. The 1 1/2 inch or 2 inch sizes will get the most hits, but you catch some bigger ones on the larger baits...and some shallow halibut too.
Some of the favorite colors are greens and browns. I have done well with the motor oil with red flakes. I also like smoke sparkle, with a glitter head. Plain whites, yellows, oranges, hot pinks and chartreuse will all work at times too. Basic black can be a good color, and a combo with black and chartreuse or black and white.
If you use the swimming plastics, like the Hammers, use colors that imitate small 'chovies or smelts. It's surprising how big of plastics a slab perch will hit in the surf.
You can fish the plastics on jig heads, or you can rig them "split shot", "Carolina" or "drop shot" style...adding weight on the line and pinning the plastic to an unweighted hook...just like fishing bait. There is a lot of technique involved, depending on the depth the fish are cruising, the action of the waves and current. If you don't have to cast far, don't. Many surf casters throw way over the most active fish. Light tackle and a quiet approach will put you into some decent fish in water less than knee deep.
Also, think small spinners. There are a lot of light spinners that work very well in the surf zone.
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Some of the favorite colors are greens and browns. I have done well with the motor oil with red flakes. I also like smoke sparkle, with a glitter head. Plain whites, yellows, oranges, hot pinks and chartreuse will all work at times too. Basic black can be a good color, and a combo with black and chartreuse or black and white.
If you use the swimming plastics, like the Hammers, use colors that imitate small 'chovies or smelts. It's surprising how big of plastics a slab perch will hit in the surf.
You can fish the plastics on jig heads, or you can rig them "split shot", "Carolina" or "drop shot" style...adding weight on the line and pinning the plastic to an unweighted hook...just like fishing bait. There is a lot of technique involved, depending on the depth the fish are cruising, the action of the waves and current. If you don't have to cast far, don't. Many surf casters throw way over the most active fish. Light tackle and a quiet approach will put you into some decent fish in water less than knee deep.
Also, think small spinners. There are a lot of light spinners that work very well in the surf zone.
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