Most six-pack outfits around Monterey Bay are taking vacations right now, waiting for April’s rockfish and (hopefully) salmon openers. The bigger charter outfits continue to send boats out most days of the week, and especially on the weekends. In Monterey, Chris’ fishing Trips is still going strong with catches of Petrale sole. Last week they reported up to 25 sole on one trip as well as 24 Dungeness on another. Both forays included “lots of sanddabs.” Chris’ catch so many sandabs they  don’t even count them anymore. In Santa Cruz, Stagnaro’s Sportfishing is on the sanddab hunt as well. Owner Ken Stagnaro put it simply, saying, “Excellent dabs this weekend! Anglers on Legacy caught 425 on Saturday and 450 on Sunday. Good quality.”

An increasing number of very serious ocean anglers are turning towards surfcasting for mid-winter action. Leaving their boats on the trailer or at the dock, they instead head to their local beaches with light tackle and high hopes of landing a personal best perch. There are a variety  of surf perch and sea perch available in Monterey Bay and adjacent locales. Most common are the barred surfperch. It is almost humorous that vastly experienced big-game anglers find delight in pursuing the smallest saltwater gamefish in our area, but everything is relative. After catching 10-15 eight-inch perch, when one suddenly gets a grab from a 15-incher, the excitement and sense of accomplishment as we fight the fish can be equal to catching a big halibut, vermilion or salmon. Besides, they are quite tasty when cooked correctly!

And what could be better than walking a long stretch of deserted beach at dawn, studying the nearshore waves and currents looking for that perfect habitat holding feeding perch. Especially when a correct guess results in an immediate hookup? Or multiple hookups one after the other. There is satisfaction in knowing one can do things right. Warming with the rising sun, and watching our beloved ocean come alive for the day and seeing leaping dolphins or blowing whales only adds to the cachet. Watching the astonishing variety of birds waking up and getting about their business is also a favorite side activity.  Plus, these birds are another important possible indicator of where and when to cast. Watching for feeding sea lions and seals can provide a good idea of how close to the beach your perch might be. As the season progresses, larger species become a definite possibility. Striped bass, of course will inhabit the same areas as feeding perch. Later in spring and during the summer, basking halibut can be located where the water is warm and clear.

Above all in the surfcasting game, value lies in the simplicity and availability of getting in some fishing action (or at least a really nice walk on the beach). Using light gear and a strap tackle bag we can travel and cover a lot of beachfront quickly. Keeping tackle to the minimum simplifies the process as well. Best of all, the beach is always there, and it’s free. No gassing up the boat, no charter fees and relying on our individual learning and experience brings a satisfaction like no other.