Amorous Amphistichus argenteus: Winter Perchin' in Southern California

Love is in the air; or more specifically, in the water.  As discarded Christmas trees dry curbside in the Southern California sun, barred surf perch (Amphistichus argenteus) move in to begin their pre-Valentine's Day spawn in the shallow surf along sandy beaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego.  These scrappy fish, which range from hand-sized fish (mostly males) to big, beautiful "slabs" (larger females), stack up in the surf zone looking for a mate... and occupying their down time gorging on sand crabs, small fish, bean clams, and anything small enough to fit in their mouths.

When the waves and conditions allow it (which is more often than not in SoCal's mild winter days between storms), fishing for barred surf perch with light tackle provides plenty of sport for these fish, which range from about a half-pound to upwards of three pounds for the larger models. 4 lb. test with a Carolina rig is perfect for flipping a sand crab or a plastic grub to these voracious fish. Fishing is generally best two hours before and two hours after high tide. And you don't have to fire-off a 100 yard cast; these fish can be hooked in ankle-deep water on a slow retrieve with a small plastic grub (Big Hammer™ 1¾" Perch Grubs #28 Motor Oil Red or #92 Motor Oil Green are my favorites).

The author with a fat barred surf perch caught on a Big Hammer Perch Grub, Ventura, CA.

As the tide falls, sand crab beds often become exposed, betrayed by the small "Vs" in the sand as the small crustaceans dig back in as the wave recedes. Fishing directly in front of these beds, particularly if there is a trough, deep spot, or depression in the bottom, is practically a sure-thing if the fish are home. If they're not, walk down the beach and find the fish. Where there's one, there are almost always more.

Ben and brother Dan with a nice double on fat slabs, Ventura, CA.