🐟 Barred Surfperch

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🐟 Barred Surfperch

Amphistichus argenteus

Also called:

• Surfperch

• Barred Perch

• “BSP” (by SoCal regulars)

This is the king of Pacific surf fishing.

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🌎 Where They Live

Found along the Pacific Coast:

• Southern California

• Central & Northern California

• Oregon

• Baja

They live right in the:

• Breaking surf

• Sandy beaches

• Troughs between sandbars

• Near structure like jetties & piers

They stay in shallow water — often 1–6 feet deep.

Yes… that close.

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📏 Size

• Common: 10–14 inches

• Good fish: 14–17 inches

• Trophy: 4–5+ lbs

Thick-bodied, powerful for their size.

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🎨 Identification

• Silver body

• Dark vertical bars along sides

• Deep body shape

• Small mouth

• Rounded tail

Those black bars are the giveaway.

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🍽 What They Eat

Surf zone feeders:

• Sand crabs (mole crabs) 🦀

• Clams

• Mussels

• Sand worms

• Small crustaceans

They patrol the wash looking for exposed prey.

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🎣 How to Catch Barred Surfperch

This is timing + reading water.

Best bait:

• Sand crabs (prime choice)

• Gulp sandworms

• Bloodworms

• Shrimp pieces

Rig:

• Carolina rig

• 1–3 oz egg sinker

• 12–24” leader

• Size 2–1/0 hook

Technique:

• Cast into troughs

• Target edges of breaking waves

• Fish moving water

• Retrieve slowly or let waves work bait

Look for:

• Dark water lanes

• Foam lines

• Rip currents

• Cuts in sandbars

They feed aggressively during tide movement.

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🔥 Why They Matter

• Most popular surf fish in California

• Accessible from shore

• Great beginner species

• Excellent eating

They are the foundation of West Coast beach fishing.

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🧠 Interesting Fact

Barred Surfperch give birth to live young — not eggs. They are one of the few live-bearing saltwater fish.