using a matching 9' rod.

Spinning is usually better in this case since you'll be throwing really light weights.

Tom

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I use 1 or 1.5 oz

I never go above 3/4oz when using grubs for perch. Anything more and you lose sensitivity for detecting strikes. Try using light tackle when grubbing for perch. You'll be amazed at how much more you'll feel the hits and get hooked up. Light tackle makes the fight more interesting too.

Tom

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I believe it's a matter of personal comfort. I like to throw spinning tackle with weights up to about 3/4 oz. When the surf is big I'll switch to my baitcaster. Sometimes 2 oz is needed. You can also fish the drop-shot for the perch. You can feel every bite and they are easy to hook. You're line doesn't get all frayed by having the sinker roll around in the sand against the swivel. With a carolina rig the grub is not always in contact due to the turbulent surf. A lot of times you're only feeling the fish let go, because he's been hanging on to it with the slack in the line. If the fish are real tight, a small pea headed jig also works good, especially in a tide that is all the way high or all the way low.
Sometimes the corbina like this with a small orange or pink colored plastic that mimicks a small ghost shrimp. I fish these on light line like 4 or even ultralight like 2 pound. They are about as spooky of fish there is, and don't like terminal tackle like swivels and sinkers. You can put a small peice of mussel on one of these peaheads and heat it up with one of those little torches like you fix plastic baits with. This makes the mussel stay on real good. Good Luck and don't eat too many of those little bony things.

Amazing how much emphasis is put on the light tackle recently. Don't get me wrong...I surf angle with light Shimano Spinners, Graphite Salmon/Steelhead Rods and 4#-6# P-Line.

I love the light tackle approach because to me its more about sport.I catch and release now where before almost anything legal was in the frying pan.

Let me say this...either Corbina have gotten a heck of alot smarter in the past 40 years or I've become oblivious to the techniques of the surf.

Back in the 60's, My Dad would trot out to the Oceanside Pier during the summer months with 5oz Pyramid Sinkers...20lb# line ...Fresh Mussel...#6 bronze baitholder hooks swivels and absolutely slay the Corbina...Spotfin Croaker...and what ever else was around.

My point being...Corbina are not as wary and spooky as one might think. Pop had a saying though. If you can see em you can't catch em. However, even that philosophy proved wrong a time or two.

Pop would be shocked to see how I approach surf species (plastics) these days. Another era...another time. But oh there were some real whoppers back then when there was no such thing as designer gear.

Like I said, I prefer the light stuff but don't let anyone fool you into believing that Corbina are some sort of mystic species because they're not.

If I'm into believing anything, I worry that their numbers have been decreased because of over fishing and pollution. When I was a kid...didn't worry about eating them...now...must admit I'm concerned.

Tight Lines!

Hi Aztecwin,

Thanks for the down to earth comments and recollections. It's a good reminder for when I go out tomorrow amoungst the herd that it ain't always the fancy smancy tackle or latest tricked out rig that gets one that tug.


JapanRon

Didn't mean to come on so strong in that post. Feel a little foolish (Barnie) but had a few brewkies and seemed like the right thing at the time. :D

I hit Carlsbad State Beach this morning with much better results than yesterday. I must have caught 30 Perch but no Godzillas. I bought a Shimano Sedona 2000FA Spinner to go along with my new 8'3" HMXS Fenwick Salmon/Steelhead Rod that I got on sale through www.tacklethief.com thanks to Catfish. Wow...sweet little outfit!

The grub of choice today was a Mojo 1.5" I don't know the name of it. Its a goldish yellow with gold flake. I call it the pineapple express! lol. The Bards were just slamming the tar out of them. Like Amish Ed in another post, I had no luck today with the nosehook method so I reverted back to the old way with the #8 Mustad hooks and they started chewin' pretty good. Don't know why but I'll continue to try both in the future.

That stretch of beach between the two jetties just north of the Power Plant is pretty sweet. Easy access, free parking, and lots of sand.

Tight Lines Everyone!

Aztecwin,

All comments are welcome. After all, people have different preferences. I have a 8.5' spinning Salmon/Steelhead rod that worked fine but since I prefer to use 1 or 1.5 oz weight during bigger waves and I didn't like the weight on the index finger when casting, I bought a 8.75' Fenwick baitcasting rod similar to yours. I think it's will be great throwing lures too. I can't wait to try it out. I was actually looking to buy 9.5' but 8.75' is the longes Fenwick make for this type of rod.

Bearcat

Hi there bearcat,

I fool around with tackle quite a bit and have started modifying some old rods I have little use for now into ones that I can try new types of fishing with.

One way to make a rod longer than it's original length is to add a butt extension. This worked perfectly when I converted a flyrod into a noodling spinning rod. However, if you have a steelhead rod with a long foregrip you may be able to get that extra 6 to 8inches with the butt extension. Repositioning of the reel seat is not impossible, especially if it's a Fuji. Heat works! then add cork handle spacers and or rings?


JapanRon