It's All Good:

There are many colors of Big Hammer perch grubs and all will get bit at one time or other. Have a range of darker colors for low light conditions or for when the water is cloudy. Switch to lighter colors for brighter conditions. Motor Oil Red (#28) is a good basic choice. I switch to Motor Oil Green (#92), Motor Oil Christmas (#94) when it gets a bit brighter and then go to Clear Red (#16) when it's high sun. Sometimes a specific color is required for when the fish are focused on particular forage.  Blue Pearl (#240), Pearl (#55) or Glowbug (#69) can be good choices during the spring as they resemble both newly birthed perch fry and sand crabs. An unusual color that has had very good results in a wide array of conditions is Sea Wolf (#60). Experiment and find some colors that you have confidence in.

From left to right: Motor Oil Red, Motor Oil Green, Motor Oil Gold, Motor Oil Christmas, Clear Red, Sea Wolf and Glowbug.

Something Smells:

I use scents because they work, especially in tougher bites when fish aren't aggressive. I prefer Pro-Cure's Sand Shrimp Super Gel.

Location, Location, Location:

Almost all sand beaches hold surfperch, croaker, corbina and halibut somewhere along them. Be sure to move around and cover the whole beach. Many times 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. Sometimes they are only 15 feet off the dry sand. Look for deeper troughs or "holes"-darker water areas with less wave activity. Fish tend to congregate and feed in these areas. Sand clouds in the water mean stirred-up food-and feeding fish. Points where two receding waves wash into each other and back out are good. Cast into these areas and begin a slow to medium steady retrieve letting the sinker ride along the bottom. Try casting on an angle across the areas to cover more water. If you are bit-typically a tap or series of taps-keep reeling and then swing lightly to set the hook so you don't snap your line. Fish on!

Fish hold in the deeper, darker water and charge up to feed in the rip clouds marked by the red arrows. Notice how close to the beach this is occurring.

Beyond Grubs and Carolina-rigs:

In addition to grubs and Carolina-rigging an effective alternative is the 3 inch Big Hammer™ swimbait rigged on a 3/16 or 1/4 oz. Hammer head™.  In most cases I will start the day with the grub and switch over to the swimbait if it is a good bite, the average fish are on the larger side, the fish are close to shore, or if I am just tired of fishing the Carolina-rig.

Just tie it straight to your main line and cast and retrieve.  There are 4 basic retrieve styles.  Try each one in the order listed until you find the one that is working for the day.  The first retrieve is to just simply cast and reel.  Start off with a medium speed grind.  If there are no takers try slowing down, then try speeding up.  The second retrieve is exactly like the first retrieve except you will want to shake the rod tip during the retrieve.  The third retrieve is much like the first except for a quick pause every 3 or 4 cranks of the handle.  The fourth is to let the swimbait sink to the bottom after the cast, once it hits the bottom give the reel 2 or 3 quick cranks, pause and let it hit the bottom again.  Continue this pattern all the way in.

Most of the colors of swimbaits will catch surfperch but some of the favorites are Sea Wolf (#60), Blue Shad (#38), Wookie Wacker (#2), Motor Oil Red (#28), Silverside (#75), and Strawberry (#58).

While Carolina-rigging Big Hammer Perch Grubs will nearly always outfish (especially in quantity) the swimbaits.  There have been occasions where the bite is wide open on the swimbaits but they will practically not even touch the grub.

3 lb. class Barred Surfperch caught by Jeff Barr at Goleta Beach on a Wookie Wacker colored 3 inch Big Hammer swimbait.

Double your chances:

One last method that should not be overlooked is the "Drop-Shot" or "Spider Hitch" rig.  This rig allows the angler to fish a traditional perch grub and at the same time fish a 3 inch Big Hammer swimbait for larger perch or other species such as halibut or white seabass. It also increases the chance of catching “follower” fish which are usually larger than the hooked fish.  Click here for instructions illustrating how to tie a spider hitch knot.

Drop-Shot Surf Rig		Spider Hitch Surf Rig

Do Unto Others:

Take these tips, combine them with what you learn from others and get out there. Please remember to practice catch and release to help preserve the fishery and your future fun. Good fishing!

Rigging Instructions - click here to view printable rigging instructions in .pdf format.

Questions - Click here to send a message to David.

Click here to return to the techniques directory.

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