When I was a child perch fishing meant simple fishing. A can of red worms was the bait of choice and my setup was a simple hook, sinker and bobber. When you found one fish you usually found more than enough for a tasty meal. They hit readily, fought with intensity and were great to eat. When I relocated here, I found a whole new type of perch fishing. While not quite the same, they too provide for some fantastic fishing. Yes the state does harbor decent populations of yellow perch in the inland lakes, but the surrounding saltwater also has very good populations of their own type of perch.

There are actually three types of saltwater perch available to Washington anglers; the red-tailed surf, pile, and striped sea perch. While bigger than their freshwater cousins, they provide ample opportunity when other fishing is not open.

The red-tailed perch is most common along our Pacific coast. These hard fighting fish travel the shallows in search of food churned up by the breaking waves. The best way to fish for them is pay attention to the waves. As you are looking out at the water, you will see the waves break twice. Once well offshore and the other closer to the beach. Waders are a good piece of gear to have, unless you don’t mind getting a little wet. Wade out as far as you can and chuck your bait somewhere between these breakers.

Let the water carry your bait toward shore, taking up the slack as it travels shoreward. You need not be very elaborate with your bait, clam necks, shrimp or sand worms work great. These are the types of materials the fish routinely see the waves dredge up from the bottom. To hook up your setup, run an egg sinker up the main line. Attach a barrel swivel to prevent the weight from moving down to the hook. To the other end of the swivel, attach about 18 to 24 inches of leader terminating on a bait hook. This allows you to stay near the bottom, while your bait will rise just above it. You will know once you hook into one of these fish. They are extremely hard fighters and will produce line stripping runs as they try to head back out to sea. Keep your rod tip up and steadily take line as you back up toward the shore. Netting these will be near impossible, so your best bet is to try and beach them.

Pile and striped perch are more common around the island. They frequent docks and pilings in search of food. In the spring months they come to the shallows to have their young in the rocky bottoms. The perch do not lay eggs, they give birth to their fry live. The little fish need a place to hide and the large rocks provide ample hiding places for the young. The incoming tide is the best time to go after them with small baits the best.

Piling worms are my favorite bait, but shrimp, clam necks and even nightcrawlers will work in a pinch. Be prepared to lose tackle when fishing the rocks. The setup I have found that lessens the cost to the angler is when you attach your hook, leave about a foot or two “tag line” off the main line. To this attach enough split shot to get your bait down near the bottom. If you get hung up, you can often get by with losing only the weights. If you do snag, do not try and pull it out. Your best bet is to let out some line and see if it will float free. You will lose some tackle so come prepared. These fish are great fighters also, and when hooked will head for the rocks. You must keep your tip high and steady pressure, because once they get into the rocks, chances are you will lose your terminal gear.

You will be able to recognize a striped perch by their deep purple color and vibrant stripes along the side. Pile perch are more silver with dark stripes running laterally along the body. One of the best places I used to catch perch was from the jetty at the Keystone Ferry dock. Be sure to check to make sure it is open and be wary of divers using the underwater park.

Ample populations, good fighters and great eating make our sea perch a great quarry. If you remember perch fishing as a kid, then grab a can of worms, some lead weights and make some new memories with a youngster.

Pete Sobotta is an avid outdoorsman and frequent contributor to the News-Times.