Barred surfperch Amphistichus argenteus
5 of 19worth the trip today
Best right now at Santa Cruz Main Beach, California. Water is inside the 50–68° range barred surfperch like at 5 of the 17 spots with a live reading.
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About barred surfperch
The staple of the California surf — caught right in the wash on sand crabs, bloodworms, and small grubs. A year-round, shore-accessible fishery that needs no boat; best on a building tide into structure and troughs.
Amphistichus argenteus, family Embiotocidae.
Barred surfperch, spot by spot
All 19 spots with barred surfperch in season, scored for barred surfperch, best first.
67° water · 6 mph wind · incoming tide
68° water · 10 mph wind
68° water · 10 mph wind
15 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
68° water · 10 mph wind
6 mph wind · incoming tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 15 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
76° water · 20 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
The water they want
Barred surfperch feed from about 50° to 68°F and best near 60°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 5 of 17 are inside the range.
How they feed
- Water50–68°F, best near 60°
- TideIncoming
- MoonEither
- DepthUsually 1–12 ft
- Active monthsYear-round
Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works
Keep or release
- California10 a dayNo minimum size. 20/person/day in combination of all surfperch (shiner perch separate), with no more than 10 of any one species. Open year-round.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source · 17 days since checked
Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. Barred surfperch are fished at spots in 1 state: California.
Fished in the same water
Species people target at the same spots as barred surfperch, and how they’re doing today.
California halibutParalichthys californicus8 of 25 spots worth the trip
Best now at Santa Cruz Main Beach, CA100
Bites in 55–72° water
Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus1 of 7 spots worth the trip
Best now at Redondo Beach, CA92
Bites in 60–74° water
RockfishSebastes spp.1 of 18 spots worth the trip
Best now at Sitka, AK88
Bites in 45–58° water
LingcodOphiodon elongatus1 of 15 spots worth the trip
Best now at Sitka, AK88
Bites in 45–58° water