Surf Jiggin' (Fuzzy?): Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

I was just wondering if anyone had tried marabou jigs on surfperch yet? I have flyfished the surf with red and yellow marabou flies (with dumbell eyes). These flies behave the same way as jigs due to their heavy head sections. The problem with flyfishing the surf is the wind. I usually use an 8 wt because of the wind, but a 6 or 7 wt would be more fun for the fish. That is where jigs could be good. I fish bait for surfperch on a light rod with thin (14#/2#) diameter line. It is surprising, but if you know where to find them surfperch can be found very close. A spinning rod could help you fish a little easier in the wind. One problem is that the jigs (I figure about 1/8 or 1/16) won’t cast well in the wind, but weight could be added above for casting ease.

If anyone is planning to go to the beach and maybe give this a try, look for troughs at low tide then fish them as it comes in. April is my favorite month, if you can find a calm day. My favorite flies are #4 and #6 with red and yellow marabou. I assume jigs would work in the same colors (look a little like sand shrimp). Move the fly/lure quickly with a jigging motion (no float of course). One time south of Grayland I was surprised by a 6# coho that grabbed my fly. Catching a salmon on a flyrod in the surf is pretty wild.

Surfperch aren’t the greatest sportfish, but they more than make up for it in taste. They do hit a moving lure/fly extremely hard, just imagine them as bluegills on steroids (they have to be to live where they live). If you can find a school, you found dinner. Please let me know if anyone here does this kind of thing, I might be the only one. I will make a few trips in April/May.

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"Painter of light, my a$$!"