Fish

Redtail surfperch

Mojarra de cola roja (surfperch)

Amphistichus rhodoterus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–2 lb.

Depth

1–20 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Oval, silvery surfperch with 8–11 reddish-brown vertical bars on the sides and a bright pinkish-red tail and fins.
Typical size: 1–2 lb.
Maximum size: About 16 in and around 3 lb.
Diet: Sand crabs, clams and worms.
Behavior: Schools in the surf of sandy beaches; females give birth to live young in summer.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Central & Northern California, Oregon & Washington and British Columbia. Sandy surf beaches and bay mouths from central California to Vancouver Island.
Habitat: Sandy surf beaches and bay mouths from central California to Vancouver Island.
Depth: 1–20 ft.
Fishing depth: In the surf troughs.
Best season: Winter and spring are best, when big schools gather to spawn.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: Incoming tide, especially the first hours.
Best weather / conditions: Moderate surf.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Sand crabs, clam necks, sandworms and scented artificial sandworms.
Best artificial lures: Small grubs on a Carolina rig.
Tackle setup: 9–11 ft surf rod.
Hook size: Size 4–1.
Line: 10–15 lb.
Leader: 8–10 lb.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Sandy surf beaches and bay mouths from central California to Vancouver Island.
Rig up: 9–11 ft surf rod. 8–10 lb.
Pick your bait: Sand crabs, clam necks, sandworms and scented artificial sandworms. Lures: Small grubs on a Carolina rig.
Fish it: Cast a two-hook surf perch rig into the troughs and keep a tight line; perch bite fast.
Time it: Daytime. Incoming tide, especially the first hours.

Fishing techniques: Cast a two-hook surf perch rig into the troughs and keep a tight line; perch bite fast.
BigJoe's tip: Look for the deeper, darker troughs between sandbars.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Sweet, white meat; fried whole or filleted.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Cold water and sneaker waves on Pacific Northwest beaches — never turn your back on the ocean.
Regulations: Surfperch have special limits in California, Oregon and Washington, and some areas close in summer for pupping. Check local rules. Rules are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (a tidal waters sport fishing licence in British Columbia), and the Washington, Oregon and California wildlife agencies with NOAA Fisheries. Groundfish seasons, depth limits and closed areas change often — check before you go.
Conservation: Live-bearing fish have few young; follow limits.

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Sources & photo credits