Flies for Barred Surfperch & California Surf Fishing

         Barred Surfperch ~ Corbina ~ Croaker ~ Striped Bass ~ Halibut ~ Shark

Rootbeer / Squirrel Krystal Shrimp ~ Barred Surfperch Fly tied by Steven Bird 

     Fly fishing the California surf for barred surfperch is a growing facet of our sport gaining deserved popularity. Though in recent years developing quickly, the sport is still relatively young and there is not yet the fully matured fly fishing tradition along with signature fly patterns that has grown around more established saltwater game like, say, bonefish or striped bass. However, the scene is changing fast as more designers discover the pleasures of fly fishing the California surf. Here is a brief listing of my own designs.  

                                                        

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The Krystal Shrimp Series

Built on the classic Crazy Charlie pattern (no material applied under the 'belly'), Krystal Shrimp were designed specifically for barred perch, though have also proven effective for corbina and all surf species, including halibut – they catch bay bass and California bonefish as well. Rockfish too. This pattern was featured in California Fly Fisher magazine. I fish these in sizes #2, #4 and #6, in the following colors:

Rootbeer / Squirrel

Red & Pink

Purple

Gray/Pink & Olive

Little Perch (stripers!)

Purple Haze Rootbeer

Pink

By-The-Wind Sailor

Designed to simulate by-the-wind sailor jellyfish, this color is a year-round starter, but particularly killing when wind sailors are washing up on the beach. If you see jellies in the drift line just above the wet sand, tie this one on. By-the-wind sailor 'hatches' generally take place through spring and into early summer. Sometimes, after a rough weather/sea period, the beach will be covered with these -- a happy circumstance for savvy surf anglers. And it's strange, in the biologist's papers these aren't listed on the surfperch menu, yet when they are present surfperch munch them like five-year-olds gobbling grape gummies -- even in less than ideal surf conditions. And you can expect by-the-wind sailor hatches to attract the big 'squaremouth' grade of perch to the beach.

By-The-Wind Sailor

 

Big Sur Shrimp

The Big Sur Shrimp is a retro nod to the California beach casting pioneers who did well on ‘Comet’ style patterns. And this style still deserves a place in the arsenal of canny surf casters. Some days, a Comet will outfish bonefish or Clouser style flies. When wet, it looks very similar to the popular motor oil grub (like a punk rock motor oil grub on acid), a good seaworm imitation. I like to fish this one as a trailer behind a Krystal Shrimp. 

Big Sur Shrimp

Greenie

Featured in California Fly Fisher magazine, the Greenie is a classic natural bucktail sardina. Anything that eats baitfish will eat the Greenie. My go-to surf striper fly. Also good offshore. (I caught a 35lb Chinook at Morro Bay on a Greenie.) Also good for calico bass, barracuda, bonito, white seabass, yellowtail and tuna. Kills in the Baja surf as well. I tie this one in #2 (about 4” long).        

Bucktail Greenie