Barred Surf Perch

[edit] Species Name:

Barred Suf Pearch

[edit] Common Names:

also known as barred perch, silver perch, surfperch, sand perch, silver surfperch,

[edit] Scientific Name:

(Amphistichus argenteus)

[edit] Family or Group:

are of the family Embiotocidae (Surfperches).

[edit] Basic Description:

The head of surfperch is blunt and the mouth is very small compared to other game fish

[edit] Size:

They average around a pound in size, but may reach a hefty five pounds where they are not heavily fished. Generally a two pound fish is a prize.

[edit] Distribution and Habitat:

You can find Barred Surfperch in most Pacific coastal waters with sandy beaches. Barred Surfperch feed in the surf zone. They also mate in the surf zone and return to the surf zone to give birth. I think that they give birth there so that the live young have immediate exposure to areas that are rich in food supplies so that they can start feeding immediately.

[edit] Habits:

Reports indicate that Barred Surfperch are found as deep as 495 feet (151 meters per Reference 1). This might explain why on occasion you can find no signs of life in an area that held a lot of perch.

[edit] Angling Value:

The barred surf perch is one of the most popular fishes in southern California among surf fishermen. It lives mostly in the surf zone, but may be caught anywhere from inches deep sudsy surf out into fairly deep water. It feeds mainly on sand crabs, sand worms and other invertebrates but will also eat small fish when it can get them.

[edit] Best Angling Methods:

They will accept a wide variety of baits, including the aforementioned foods, clams, mussels, shrimp and chunks of cut bait, like anchovies. Many anglers prefer to fish them with artificials. They readily whack a wide variety of spinners, spoons. jigs, soft plastics and flies.

[edit] Table Quality:

[edit] Commercial Value:

[edit] Notes:

--TubeDude 11:28, 5 March 2008 (CST)