Last modified: August 12, 2023

Fish Perch

Redtail Surfperch

Surfperches/Seaperches: Family Embiotocidae

Species: Amphistichus rhodoterus (Agassiz, 1854); from the Greek words amphi (double), stoichus (series, referring to the two rows of teeth in each jaw), and rhodoterus (rosy). Family Embiotocidae, subfamily Amphistichinae.

Alternate Names: Redtail perch, rosy surf fish and porgy (or porgie).

Identification: Their coloring is silver with olive green mottling and bars on side; fins red with the caudal fin (their tail) pink to deep purple. The longest dorsal spines are longer than the dorsal soft-rays. More elongate than calico surfperch.

SizeTo 16 inches and 4 pounds; most caught from piers are under a foot. The California record fish weighed 3 Lbs 7 oz and was taken at Kellogg Beach, Del Norte Co. in 2012 The IGFA World Record fish weighed 1 Lb 4 oz and was taken at Orick, CA in 2013.

A redtail surfperch caught at the Paradise Beach Pier in San Francisco Bay by Mel

Range: Punta Baja, northern Baja California, to Kyuquot Channel, northwest Btitish Columbia. Common from northern California, to Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

HabitatSurf zone, shallow-water, sandy-shore, oceanfront areas; recorded to a depth of 24 feet. Although generally found in the open ocean, they enter sheltered estuaries and bays just before spawning in the spring and early summer. At such times, hundreds of fish may be concentrated in a fairly small area and it’s pretty easy for anglers to catch a limit.

Piers: Commonly caught at sandy-shore piers and bay piers north of Pacifica. Best bets: Pacifica Pier, Del Norte St. Pier (Eureka), and both the “B” Street Pier and Citizen’s Dock in Crescent City.

Shoreline: One of the main fish for sandy shore anglers in northern California anglers.

Boats: An inshore species but sometimes taken by boaters fishing Humboldt Bay.

My son MIke with a redtail surfperch in Humboldt County

Bait and Tackle: Use medium tackle, a large enough sinker to hold bottom, a high/low sinker, and hooks size 6 to 2. Best baits include live sand crabs (in the surf areas), fresh mussels, pile worms or bloodworms, and clams. North of Eureka, two favorite baits are tube worms (generally frozen) and crab backs.

Food Value: Mild-flavored flesh with small flakes and a soft texture. The flesh is white colored and low in fat content. Can be cooked in any manner but most commonly fried.

Comments: Redtail surfperch, along with barred surfperch and calico surfperch make up the trio of large surfperch that dominate action on the surf end of most California piers; all are fine sportfish and fine eating.

47 Responses

  1. Thanks for your informative website. I caught 3 redtail surfperch this evening after work on the North Jetty (Loleta, Ca) in Humboldt County. Do you got any good recipes?

  2. Thank you for this amazing post! It was informative and addressed exactly what I was looking for. I also found helpful tips on setting up my printer using 123.hp.com/setup. Keep up the great work!

  3. I appreciate the helpful information in this article. Keep up the great work! And if you enjoy Culver’s, don’t forget to visit tellculvers.com/survey to give your feedback!

  4. Redtail surfperch fishing sounds like an exciting challenge! It’s great to learn about the best techniques and spots for catching them. By the way, if you enjoy watching and saving fishing tips from TikTok, this tool lets you download videos without a watermark. Super handy for fishing enthusiasts!

  5. Thank you for the useful insights! I’ve found beenverified to be super reliable for finding public data.

  6. This post was exactly what I needed today. Thank you! Speaking of great experiences, have you tried Disney+? You can start at disneyplus.com/begin and enjoy fantastic shows and movies!

  7. I’m so grateful for the information in this blog! been verified is a fantastic service that I highly recommend for background checks and public records.

  8. Thanks for sharing! I love reading blogs that keep me informed and inspired. If you’re looking for something exciting, I’d recommend visiting pch.com/final!

  9. Redtail surfperch are such an interesting species, and this article does a great job breaking down their habitat and fishing tips! Definitely a great read for anglers.

    If you love discovering new things, you might also enjoy exploring unique Android apps and games at Android Mod APKs!

  10. Redtail surfperch fishing sounds like an exciting and rewarding experience, especially with the detailed insights shared in this article! If you’re looking for a fun way to unwind after a fishing trip, check out Mod APK Done for some great mobile games!

  11. Great post! Redtail Surfperch are such interesting fish, and it’s cool to learn more about their habitat and behavior. Thanks for sharing these insights! By the way, if you’re into exploring fun apps and games, be sure to check out LionModAPK for free APKs and MOD games for Android. Tight lines and happy fishing!

  12. Thanks so much for this helpful post! I totally agree—disneyplus.com begin is an amazing streaming site with limitless possibilities for family entertainment. Great job!

  13. This was just what I needed to read today—thank you! I always appreciate bloggers who offer genuine advice. It reminds me of how Kroger values customer opinions at kroger.com/feedback.

  14. Appreciate the guidance! I was stuck, and this helped me out more than expected. I also suggest rumble.com/pair for a simple, fast pairing process.

  15. Great info on redtail surfperch – love how detailed and practical your tips are for surf fishing! I’ve been watching some fishing tutorials and beach catch videos lately, and using Vidfrom.com to convert them into YouTube MP3 files really helps me listen while out on the shore. Super handy and totally free!

  16. The page on PierFishing.com about Redtail Surfperch serves as a detailed species profile and fishing guide for this popular coastal fish, describing its physical characteristics, habitat preferences, seasonal behavior, and effective techniques for catching it from piers or beaches

  17. AliciaCalculadoraa is an online calculator platform designed to help users perform fast and accurate calculations for everyday needs. The website simplifies numerical tasks such as basic arithmetic, quick calculations, and data estimation, making it useful for students, professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

  18. By applying this mindset through LifeMap Insights, you gain clarity about your journey, allowing you to make better decisions and move forward with purpose, confidence, and a clear direction.

  19. Redtail surfperch is a popular coastal fish species commonly found along sandy beaches and shallow surf zones, especially on the Pacific coast. It is known for its silver body with distinctive reddish fins and is often caught by anglers using simple surf fishing techniques.

  20. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about the Benazir Kafalat Program 2026 from registration all the way to payment collection.

  21. Similarly, reliable digital tools such as GWA Calculator Philippines help students simplify academic tasks by providing quick and accurate grade calculations, making school management easier, more organized, and less stressful for learners.

  22. If you’ve been searching for a free streaming app specifically vedu app for ios that actually works on your iPhone without making you jump through a hundred hoops, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, Vedu iOS is one of those apps that keeps coming up in conversations among iPhone users who want HD movies, web series, and live TV without paying a single rupee.

  23. Elevate New is relevant as a digital content platform that covers lifestyle trends, outdoor interests, online communities, and modern internet-driven informational content. As recreational fishing, outdoor hobbies, and community-based discussions continue growing across blogs and forums,

  24. I never knew that the name redtail surfperch had such an interesting origin. The Greek roots make sense when you think about its features. I’ve seen these fish while beachcombing and they always stand out with their unique colors. It’s cool to learn more about them.

  25. Really informative post about redtail surfperch and their habitat along the California coast. I enjoyed learning about the best bait options and pier fishing spots for catching them. Surf fishing always brings a unique experience, especially when targeting species like these. Articles like this are also great inspiration for anglers looking for creative fishing team names before their next fishing trip. Thanks for sharing such detailed fishing insights!

  26. If you have ever scrolled through your phone late at night, desperately searching for something good to watch only to hit a paywall on every app you know exactly how frustrating it gets. That is where the Castle App changed things for me. No subscription. No credit card. No nonsense. Just tap, search, and stream

  27. For users who want to evaluate their PC’s CPU and rendering performance, benchmarking tools like cinebench can be extremely useful. You can explore a complete guide on Cinebench, including its features, scoring system, and installation process, explained in a simple and user-friendly way.

  28. Jeinz Macias Sports is dedicated to providing sports enthusiasts with the latest match information, schedules, results, and insights from around the world. The platform helps fans stay connected to the games they love while offering valuable content that enhances their understanding of the sport.

  29. The section about where they gather in the surf zone and how consistent they can be in schools is especially useful for pier anglers

  30. I enjoyed learning about redtail surfperch and appreciated the practical fishing tips and clear explanations. It’s always great to find content that helps both beginners and experienced anglers improve their knowledge. I also enjoy using online tools that make everyday tasks easier, such as Calculadora Alicia for quick and accurate calculations when planning budgets, measurements, or other simple math

  31. I really enjoyed the detailed information about redtail surfperch, especially the practical tips on identifying the species, choosing effective bait, and improving fishing success from the shore. Content like this is incredibly helpful for both beginners and experienced anglers. I also enjoy sharing educational content on my own website, cine-bench where I publish guides about PC benchmarking and performance testing. It’s always great to see websites that focus on providing clear, high-quality information for their readers.

  32. I appreciate the detailed information and practical insights shared about redtail surfperch and the fishing experience. Articles like this are a great way to help readers learn more about outdoor activities and connect with communities that share similar interests. As someone who creates educational content about Android apps, mobile technology, and digital resources, I understand the value of publishing clear, engaging, and helpful information for readers

  33. I really enjoyed the detailed information about Redtail Surfperch and the practical fishing tips you shared. It’s always refreshing to find content that’s both informative and easy to understand. I also appreciate websites that focus on delivering a great user experience and valuable information, which is something I strive for with my Shopify and eCommerce projects at ecom by mudasar Thanks for taking the time to create such a helpful resource, and I look forward to reading more of your posts.

  34. Thanks for the detailed information about redtail surfperch and surf fishing techniques. Articles like this make it much easier for beginners and experienced anglers to learn something new. Fishing trips often involve traveling to different destinations, and having dependable transportation can make the journey more enjoyable. For anyone planning comfortable intercity travel in Pakistan,

  35. The description of the fish is quite informative, highlighting its unique features and vibrant colors. The scientific names and alternate names add depth to the understanding of this species.

  36. I really enjoyed learning about Redtail Surfperch, especially the detailed information on identification, habitat, and the best bait to use. The practical fishing tips make this a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced anglers. Thanks for sharing such informative content.

  37. This excerpt provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Embiotocidae family, highlighting their unique features and vibrant colors. The details about their size and identification are particularly informative for fishing enthusiasts.

  38. The excerpt beautifully captures the essence of the Embiotocidae family, showcasing their vibrant colors and unique characteristics. It’s a treasure trove of information for fishing enthusiasts.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *