I'm excited to post my first fish report on this site. It was my first fishing trip in about 2 years. Thanks to all of you who post for your tips and info-sharing. It helped me prepare.

In particular, I'd like to thank Eric's Tackle in Ventura, and Larry Heron for providing the tips and strategies that I used yesterday.

On to the report: Yesterday my dad and I went fishing at La Conchita (near Carpenteria), after the high tide (around 2pm). We caught four perch, one was about 1.25 pounds. We used 6lb p-line, with 1.5" motoroil grubs, carolina rigged. I was getting lots of bites, but none of them stayed hooked. So I switched to a Berkely Power-Grub, 2", and it seemed like the flavor encouraged the fish to keep the grub in their mouth longer.

Next time, I'm going to use the Procure scent Larry recommended, I think that will help keep the fish interested. It was great to be fishing again. I look forward to posting more reports in the future, and if anyone has any tips for hooking those perch that just barely nibble your grubs, I'd love to hear it.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

Has anyone tried Spectra for the light tackle surf fishing? You would certainly feel the slightest nibble and the zero stretch would make for strong hooksets.

Fishslayer

I've been fishing Power pro in the surf for perch, which is a braided line, and I do feel a lot more of those small nibbles with this low stretch line. My suggestion for the small bites, especially if you are fishing a braided or super line is to reel right through the nibbles, and when it feels like the fish has mouthed the bait, then set the hook. It works for me about 70% of the time. This especially helps when you are getting bit by the potato chip sized perch.

Tight Lines

In the SD surf, I always fish my 2# ultralight trout rig for the perch. Since casts are rarely more than 30 or 40', low stretch line is not necessary IMO.

Also, if I'm getting short bit on a 1.5 or 2" grub, I'll step down to a 1" and a slightly smaller hook. Perch have small mouths and unless they're big perch, a 2" grub is a good sized meal.

TL,
Adam

Another method to cut down on the short bites could be to cut off part of the tail on the grub. Use the whole body with just part, or none of the tail still attached.

Jon