UTERSurfperch fishing in Northern California Coast
In Northern California Coast, surfperch peak April–August and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Redtail surfperch on the Humboldt and Del Norte beaches.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Surfperch in Northern California Coast, month by month
- JanuaryAroundWinter steelhead in the lower Smith and Eel. Lower river and tidewater after the rain drops and greens; boat groundfish closed for winter.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArrivingLate steelhead; the surf wakes up. Last winter fish; redtail perch start on the Humboldt beaches.
- AprilPeakRedtail surfperch on the Humboldt and Del Norte beaches.
- MayPeakRockfish and ling open; first kings and halibut. Shallow reefs off Fort Bragg and Trinidad; troll for the first kings when the krill shows.
- JunePeakPeak — sand crabs and clam necks.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberLeavingLeaving.
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish surfperch near Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove
An exposed, wild coast of rocky headlands, pinnacles and a few harbors — Bodega, Noyo, Shelter Cove, Humboldt Bay, Crescent City — with the Eel, Klamath and Smith rivers coming out through sand bars.
What to use for surfperch
- Sand crabs (Pacific mole crabs)A soft-shell sand crab on a #4 to #2 hook, Carolina rig, cast just behind the first break — the corbina and barred surfperch bait.
- Ghost shrimpThreaded on a #4 to 1/0 baitholder hook on a Carolina rig in the surf or the bay — the surfperch, corbina and sturgeon bait.
- Leader15–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–2/0
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 50–66°F water, best at 54–62°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch surfperch in Northern California Coast?
Peak season is April–August. Surfperch are here year-round. April: Redtail surfperch on the Humboldt and Del Norte beaches.
Where do surfperch hold in Northern California Coast?
Look on beach / surf, fishing pier, pass / inlet — around Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove, Eureka, Trinidad, Crescent City.
What is the best bait for surfperch in Northern California Coast?
Live bait: sand crabs (pacific mole crabs), ghost shrimp. Sand crabs (Pacific mole crabs): A soft-shell sand crab on a #4 to #2 hook, Carolina rig, cast just behind the first break — the corbina and barred surfperch bait. Tackle: leader 15–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–2/0, braid 10–20 lb.
What are the rules for surfperch in Northern California Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
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