UTERSurfperch fishing in Southern California
In Southern California, surfperch peak December–April and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Barred surfperch — the winter surf fishery; Gulp sandworms on a Carolina rig in the troughs.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Surfperch in Southern California, month by month
- JanuaryPeakBarred surfperch — the winter surf fishery; Gulp sandworms on a Carolina rig in the troughs.
- FebruaryPeakSurf perch peak; halibut start moving shallow. Perch on every sandy beach; drift the bays for early halibut on a warm afternoon.
- MarchPeakPeak before they drop their young.
- AprilPeak
- MayLeavingTapering.
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberArrivingBack in the troughs as the winter swells sort the sand.
- DecemberPeakPeak.
Where to fish surfperch near San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach
A sheltered bight of kelp forests, sand flats and harbors, with the Channel Islands, Catalina and San Clemente 20–60 miles out and the offshore banks (Tanner, Cortes, the 9-Mile, the 43) beyond. The long-range sportboat fleet out of San Diego is its heart.
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 Southern California?
Peak season is December–April. Surfperch are here year-round. January: Barred surfperch — the winter surf fishery; Gulp sandworms on a Carolina rig in the troughs.
Where do surfperch hold in Southern California?
Look on beach / surf, fishing pier, dock / pilings — around San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Oxnard, Santa Barbara.
What is the best bait for surfperch in Southern California?
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 Southern California?
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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