Gage has reconnoitered a new couple of holes in the area bracketed by the gatehouse and the first few campsites and he likes what he sees. While I unfortunately do not have a hand for a size comparison, I'm assured the good perch were 10-12 inches, with mediocre amounts. The swell made the going tough, but rest assured, Gage's prowess carried him through, though he insists that better weather would've improved his numbers. He was hoping to land stripers, as it is getting to be that time again but he was disappointed. On the subject of weather, it's been deteriorating fast, with higher swells yet on the horizon. Conditions should improve by Tuesday if the forecast holds.
Crab snares are slowly but steadily pulling in Dungeness for those braving the intermittent rain. No one went out in a boat today to try the bay and I hope no one tries until the weather lies down. So, I don't have a fresh bay report for you.
Had one special request for Gage's preferred recipe for perch. It's worth nothing that he's pretty big on catch and release, but the few he holds onto are typically large. Per Gage: "I would scale, gut, and take off the head and then either pan fry in butter or bread it first." Feel free to comment your favorite if you've got one.
Surf perch accept flavor very well, so with that said smoked paprika, and pepper flakes cooked in hot avacado oil till outside is crisp and crunchy
ReplyDeleteAlso I'd like to add, that the winter striper run wasn't very good, I fished over a dozen days and only had one taker, a small 1-2lb. Striper🤔
ReplyDeleteGage, be careful... you may be getting close to Guru status and you know what that means...
ReplyDeleteI made a print of one of those fish... Behold it in all it's first attempt glory:
ReplyDeletehttp://sinkingsensation.com/stuff/gyotaku.jpg
And as with rock fish I maintain that it's better to cook perch whole, "bone in". Lots more meat that way. Channel your inner Balineasian and put a few slits on each side of the scaled and cleaned fish and then put some garlic salt, siracha, hot sauce, harissa paste (my favorite) or whatever you have on and in the fish, then grill it. Personally I don't use aluminum foil but some people do. Bonus points for cooking it over some nice smoky wood and/or for putting some herbs inside the fish.
ReplyDeleteWith rock fish or large perch like these, one fish is a meal for one.
The best way to cook perch! Salt and pepper the perch, take a piece of sheetrock toss it on the grill, place perch onto, when the perch starts to flake toss the fish and eat the sheetrock.
ReplyDeleteJust kidding, but I filet my fish so I can check for parasites. People have gotten messed up eating rock fish sushi. Bad!!
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember Nancy Reagan telling me to just say no to rock fish sushi.
ReplyDeleteOur local salmon, after a day or two in the freezer, on the other hand...
At least he didn't say to cook the fish in the hand and then eat he hand....
ReplyDeleteHey, guys. I know this is off topic but I was wondering if there is a place at Lawson's where I could take my daughter's boyfriend shark fishing? He's a senior in high school and really likes to fish. He wants to catch a leopard shark. Any advice on where to go and a good rig to use? I have a heavy 10' surf rod and spinning reel that would probably be usable to cast out a ways. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGage and I both like the mudflats off of the seawall (especially at low tide) and from Tom's Point. Tom's is better but requires a walk from here. A couple of weeks with minimal rain would help the fishing. Sardines and squid on 30lb mono or wire leader.
DeleteCan anyone please help me what do I need to start catching strippers
ReplyDeleteFor strippers, the best thing by far is bills - $1s, $5s, and $10s all work pretty well. $100s are the best to really hook into a good one. Whatever you do, avoid coins.
DeleteIn other news, I've always had success with stripers using swimbaits (gag's grabber mambo minnow in olive is a favorite in clear water), needlefish, and poppers, all reeled quickly in the surf or around structure with moving water. Chartreuse Clouser minnows are the ticket if you're fly fishing. Don't forget to let the big mamas free to have more babies when you hook into anything 40''+ (I let anything 30''+ go after I inconvenience them with a picture. Good luck!
Luckily salmon now take credit cards. I think they're charging Shrimp Boat about $50 per pound.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Willy. I'm coming out Saturday and hopefully Sunday (if it isn't raining too hard). Gonna try Tom's for leopards and will stop in for directions. I also set up a light surf rod and might try my hand at perch fishing out on the beach front. -Mark Trail
ReplyDeleteI've read on this blog that SP Minnows are good for stripers. Are the sinking or floating SP minnows the way to go? I usually use bucktail jigs, Krocodile spoons or poppers and don't have much time throwing minnow plugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Steve