Perch Fishing at the Clambake: A Beginner's Guide
Every year at the Clambake we hold a Perch Derby, and every year somebody catches their first fish in it. If you've never surf fished before, this guide has everything you need to get started.
What you'll need
Bring a spinning rod and reel if you have one. I bring artificial sandworms, hooks, and sliding sinkers for everyone, and I'm always around to help get rods set up.
Need a rod? This 8-foot rod (https://a.co/0fAFoNpE) is a great, inexpensive starter for surf perch. You can toss light bait out with it and feel every bite.
You'll also want sun protection, comfortable clothes, and shoes that can get wet. If you're 16 or older, you'll need a California fishing license (more on that below). A bead, swivel, leader line, and basic tackle round out the kit. Not sure what you need? Just ask me.
Your rig: the Carolina rig
We use a simple setup called a Carolina rig. Slide a sinker onto your line, add a swivel, tie on a short leader with a hook, and you're ready for bait. Start with a 1/2 to 1 oz sliding egg sinker, a small bead to protect the knot, a barrel swivel, 18 to 24 inches of leader, and a size 4 or 6 hook. Thread a 2-inch Gulp! sandworm onto the hook so the body covers the shank and the point stays exposed.
The knot: improved clinch
This is the one knot worth learning. Thread through the eye, wrap 5 to 7 times, through the small loop, back through the big loop, moisten, tighten, trim. If knots aren't your thing, find me at the beach and I'll tie them all day.
How to catch a perch
Here's what most beginners don't realize: you don't have to cast far. Perch feed in the shallow water where waves break and wash back out.
• Fish the wash. Look for where the waves churn up the sand.
• Keep your bait moving. Cast out, let the sinker settle, then slowly reel in with pauses.
• Feel the bite. You'll feel a little tap, tap, tap. When a fish takes it, lift gently and reel steadily.
• Move around. No bites in 10 to 15 minutes? Try another spot down the beach.
• Watch the waves. Keep an eye on the surf, give swimmers space, and cast away from other beachgoers. Adults, keep kids supervised.
Catch it, cook it, eat it
Surfperch are genuinely good eating. Release the smaller ones carefully. If you keep one, it has to be legal: know your fish and respect the limits. I'll help with safe hook removal, cleaning, and cooking right at camp. When in doubt, ask before you keep a fish.
Fishing licenses
Anyone 16 or older needs a California sport fishing license. Kids under 16 fish free. The easy option is a one-day license ($21.09). Just make sure you select the derby day: https://wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales
Derby rules
The derby runs Saturday morning until 4 PM. Longest eligible surfperch wins. Measure from the tip of the nose (mouth closed) to the end of the longest part of the tail, and take a photo of your fish on the measuring device.
Current CDFW Southern Region regulations: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/Southern