Species guide · California
Surfperch fishing in California
Embiotocidae (mainly Amphistichus spp.), a surf species also called perch, surf perch and barred perch. Listed for the Northern California and Southern California regions. Peak season, about 2 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge at 74, one of 11 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Northern California
Peak season, about 2 more weeks- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: May, Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.
Research notes, Northern California region
Redtail surfperch dominate Del Norte to Mendocino beaches with CRFS catch highest March through September. Barred surfperch dominate Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo beaches and are caught year-round; statewide CRFS barred surfperch catch is fairly flat with highs in July, September and November.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Southern California
Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks- Jan: Peak season
- Feb: Peak season
- Mar: Peak season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Off season
- Aug: Off season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Peak season
Peak: Dec to Mar. In season (shoulder or peak): Sep to Jun.
Research notes, Southern California region
Almost all barred surfperch. Older CDFG studies found December and January the best months in southern California, when large females move into the surf before giving birth in spring. Summer catches drop as corbina and croaker take over the surf zone.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 11
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's surfperch score this hour.
Best window today 5-7 PM (74) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (77) · 30 named spots
Best window today 5-8 PM (71) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (75) · 159 named spots
Best window today 5-6 PM (70) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (80) · 28 named spots
Best window today 5-7 PM (69) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (74) · 28 named spots
Best window today 5-7 PM (68) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (80) · 27 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (62) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (74) · 50 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (57) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (68) · 61 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (53) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (66) · 9 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (52) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (66) · 17 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (51) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (64) · 117 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 48°F to 70°F, best between 52°F and 64°F.
- Water depth
- 2 to 30 ft of water.
- Structure
- Surf, beach, rip, jetty, pier, bay and estuary, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with moderate current.ODFW: best fishing is often on an incoming tide, especially an hour or two before high tide, when wave wash stirs up sand crabs and worms. Use low tide to scout troughs, holes and places where the beach cuts inward.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Surfperch feed in the troughs and holes within about 30 feet of the waterline, just outside the first set of breakers. Cast a two-hook high-low or Carolina rig with size 4 to 2 hooks and a 1 to 6 ounce pyramid sinker and let the surge work it through the trough. Fish the incoming tide on beaches with a steep drop, and switch to jetties, pilings and bays when the surf is too big.
- Methods
- surf casting, bottom fishing, pier fishing, jetty fishing
- Lures
- Gulp sandworm, 1 to 3 inch plastic grubs, small swimbaits
- Bait
- sand crabs (mole crabs), marine worms, sand shrimp, mussels, clam necks
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 16, 2026.
No reviewed surfperch rule for California is on file yet. Check with CDFW before you keep one.