UTERSurfperch fishing in Washington Coast and Puget Sound
In Washington Coast and Puget Sound, surfperch peak April–June and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Redtail perch on the Long Beach and Ocean Shores beaches.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Surfperch in Washington Coast and Puget Sound, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakRedtail perch on the Long Beach and Ocean Shores beaches.
- MayPeakPeak.
- JunePeak
- JulyLeavingLeaving.
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish surfperch near Ilwaco, Westport, La Push
An exposed outer coast (Westport, La Push, Neah Bay), the Columbia mouth and Willapa Bay at the south end, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound and Hood Canal — deep, cold fjords with points, kelp and steep shelves.
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 Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Peak season is April–June. Surfperch are here year-round. April: Redtail perch on the Long Beach and Ocean Shores beaches.
Where do surfperch hold in Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Look on beach / surf, fishing pier, dock / pilings, pass / inlet — around Ilwaco, Westport, La Push, Neah Bay, Sekiu, Seattle.
What is the best bait for surfperch in Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
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 Washington Coast and Puget Sound?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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