Elephant Rock Pier 11/23

[StripeDoc]

Did not make it to Martinez today (hopefully going to try tomorrow morning) but did get in some fishing at Elephant Rock this afternoon.

Spent all morning searching for a bait shop that sells pile worms on the peninsula; finally ended up finding them at Jailhouse Deli & Grocery in South SF. They were quite large and looked fresh so I bought a dozen.

Arrived at Elephant Rock around 1:15pm, with a little over an hour to go before the low. First cast (towards Caprice) had a nice hit on a pile worm, while second cast produced a big fat Pile Perch! Setup was a Carolina rig with a #8 flouro leader and size 6 hook on my steelhead spinning rod.

Unfortunately the bite died as the tide slacked; the only action on my other rod (high/low with squid strips dropped straight down by the rock) was red rock crabs, and I only had a handful of small pecks on the worms for the rest of the session.

I loved this pier (very fishy - lots of structure + moving water) and the surroundings could not be more scenic. Had it all to myself for the first hour, then was joined by some grandparents teaching two young children to fish. Weather was 64 degrees with blue skies... couldn’t ask for a better day.

I will be enjoying a nice fried fish dinner tonight w/ crab pasta and will definitely be returning!

 

[Red Fish]

Did not make it to Martinez today (hopefully going to try tomorrow morning) but did get in some fishing at Elephant Rock this afternoon.

Spent all morning searching for a bait shop that sells pile worms on the peninsula; finally ended up finding them at Jailhouse Deli & Grocery in South SF. They were quite large and looked fresh so I bought a dozen.

Arrived at Elephant Rock around 1:15pm, with a little over an hour to go before the low. First cast (towards Caprice) had a nice hit on a pile worm, while second cast produced a big fat Pile Perch! Setup was a Carolina rig with a #8 flouro leader and size 6 hook on my steelhead spinning rod.

Unfortunately the bite died as the tide slacked; the only action on my other rod (high/low with squid strips dropped straight down by the rock) was red rock crabs, and I only had a handful of small pecks on the worms for the rest of the session.

I loved this pier (very fishy - lots of structure + moving water) and the surroundings could not be more scenic. Had it all to myself for the first hour, then was joined by some grandparents teaching two young children to fish. Weather was 64 degrees with blue skies... couldn’t ask for a better day.

I will be enjoying a nice fried fish dinner tonight w/ crab pasta and will definitely be returning!

Thanks for the report. I almost stopped by there on my way back from Baker Beach but the water was already low at 3 when I crossed the GG Bridge back through Sausalito/Tiburon.

 

[StripeDoc]

Update: will be releasing future pile perch...

Bled, iced immediately, filleted and panko breaded / fried but still tasted somewhat “off.” I am a fish eater who grew up on bluefish and stronger tasting fish like king mackerel but something about the mushy texture and funky taste undertones didn’t do it for me. Did not let it go to waste but would be way down my list of preferred dinners.

At least the crab pasta was tasty!

 

[Red Fish]

Update: will be releasing future pile perch...

Bled, iced immediately, filleted and panko breaded / fried but still tasted somewhat “off.” I am a fish eater who grew up on bluefish and stronger tasting fish like king mackerel but something about the mushy texture and funky taste undertones didn’t do it for me. Did not let it go to waste but would be way down my list of preferred dinners.

At least the crab pasta was tasty!

Okay, all good information. Hmm... some people that have caught fish at Ft. Baker Pier have mentioned an “iodine taste.” Perch at Berkeley Pier and the vicinity used to be a targeted and prized catch many years ago. I believe the limit was (20) back then. Most kept were about a foot or larger. Now, knowing what the common SF Bay species are, most big perch caught were a majority of blacks. After that, pile, and a few rubberlip that came in from the ocean. All of these perch were big and the ones kept were 10-17”. I liked to filet and deep fry mine (when I was able to catch them as I was still learning). Although the texture was not as firm as halibut or cod, it was not mushy. Not a fish I would bake. You could probably grill for a fish taco.
Now, I don’t really keep local perch because they don’t migrate to the ocean and absorb a lot of Bay toxins. Migrating perch like Barred, Redtail, Rubberlip, I will make a meal out of these.

 

[SunnyvaleMatthew]

It won't help with the flavor, but I like to indirect grill surfperch on a Weber charcoal grill, skin on. The grill draws a lot of hot, dry air over the fish and helps firm it up.

 

[ILYA]

Okay, all good information. Hmm... some people that have caught fish at Ft. Baker Pier have mentioned an “iodine taste.” Perch at Berkeley Pier and the vicinity used to be a targeted and prized catch many years ago. I believe the limit was (20) back then. Most kept were about a foot or larger. Now, knowing what the common SF Bay species are, most big perch caught were a majority of blacks. After that, pile, and a few rubberlip that came in from the ocean. All of these perch were big and the ones kept were 10-17”. I liked to filet and deep fry mine (when I was able to catch them as I was still learning). Although the texture was not as firm as halibut or cod, it was not mushy. Not a fish I would bake. You could probably grill for a fish taco.
Now, I don’t really keep local perch because they don’t migrate to the ocean and absorb a lot of Bay toxins. Migrating perch like Barred, Redtail, Rubberlip, I will make a meal out of these.

What about Rainbow perch? Is it local or migrating? Thanks.

 

[Red Fish]

What about Rainbow perch? Is it local or migrating? Thanks.

My understanding is that ocean species such as Rainbow (not to be confused with striped) migrate into the Bay in the winter to spawn (and then return to the ocean).

 

[Ken Jones]

Most perch species move in and out of the bay.

 

[ILYA]

My understanding is that ocean species such as Rainbow (not to be confused with striped) migrate into the Bay in the winter to spawn (and then return to the ocean).

Thank you! I like fish the perch on the Crissy Field

My understanding is that ocean species such as Rainbow (not to be confused with striped) migrate into the Bay in the winter to spawn (and then return to the ocean).

Thank you! I like to fish perch on Crissy Fields at the March - April and rainbow perch is the best prize here. (Sometimes rubberlips). Everybody has to be careful: females could have babies inside and must be released. If patrol found them, you will pay penalty for each baby like for adult exceeding limit.

 

[Red Fish]

The left photo is a striped perch. The right it is a rainbow. Both compliments of Ken Jones. Remember April 1 -August 1 is closed season perch fishing (because of spawning) in SF Bay (except shiner perch). Ocean is open all year.

 

[ILYA]

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The left photo is a striped perch. The right it is a rainbow. Both compliments of a Ken Jones. Remember April 1 -August 1 is closed season perch fishing (because of spawning) in SF Bay (except shiner perch). Ocean is open all year.