For surf fishing Stripers and Perch in the Bay Area, the rod is the most critical piece of equipment, followed closely by the reel, line, and lure. From mid-May through mid-October, Stripers commonly move out to ocean beaches to feed on anchovies and sand crabs. As ocean temperatures drop, they migrate back into the Bay and Delta, then return to the coast again the following spring.
I typically target Stripers along the beaches from Ocean Beach to Monterey between May and November. During the winter months, I shift my focus to Perch, primarily using jerkbaits around the Santa Cruz beaches. Winter surf conditions are often too rough in San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, making those areas less suitable for fishing.
During striper season (May–November), you need a specialized rod that can handle both heavy 2.5 oz Mikey jigs and lighter 20 g jerkbaits—and few rods do this better than high-quality JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) models. One of the top choices for summer surf striper fishing is the Daiwa 25 SKYHIGH 10'6" Medium. This rod excels at long-distance casting with 2.5 oz (70 g) Mikey jigs while still performing exceptionally well with lighter 0.75 oz (20 g) jerkbaits, offering outstanding versatility and control.
For winter surf perch fishing with jerkbaits, I usually use the Shimano Moonshot 9'6" ML. I’ve landed a 31-inch striper on the 9'6" Moonshot, proving it has more than enough strength to handle a large fish. However, I prefer a lighter, more finesse-oriented rod for winter perch fishing, as it provides better sensitivity and comfort for lighter lures.
2025 Model Daiwa 25 SKYHIGH 106M – NorthOne
Weight: 166g (5.8oz)
Lure Weight: 10–50g (0.35–1.8oz)
2021 Model Shimano Moonshot S96ML – NorthOne (Winter Perch Fishing)
Weight: 151g (5.3oz)
Lure Weight: 6–32g (0.2–1.13oz)
Other Good Rods
2025 Model Okuma HAWAIIAN CUSTOM RODS 10.7ft (HWM-S-1072MHBSB) Sky Blue Color - Okuma
Weight: 232g (8.2oz)
Lure Weight: 14–57g (0.5–2oz)
2023 Model Okuma Rockaway SP 10ft (RSP-S-1002M+) - Okuma
Weight: 214g (7.56oz)
Lure Weight: 14–85g (0.5–3oz)
As for reels, I currently use Shimano Vanford 24 5K, and Daiwa Fuego 4000. For line, I pair them with Daiwa J-Braid—30lb for Striper fishing and 20lb for Perch fishing.
It’s important to know how to properly tear down and clean your reels. You can find helpful YouTube videos that walk through the teardown and cleaning process for your specific reel. I personally do a full teardown and cleaning at least once every two months.
Shimano 24 Vanford 5K Amazon Weight: 7.9 oz (224 g)
Daiwa MQ 4000 Amazon Weight: 9.9 oz (282 g)
Daiwa Fuego LT 4000 Amazon Weight: 8.1 oz (235 g)
When it comes to Striper lures, I'm a big fan of the Duo Tide Minnow series—check out eBay for some great finds. My go-to models are the Lance 140S (sinking) and 140SF (slow floating), along with the 140mm Slim Flyers and the 120mm Lance, both in sinking and slow-floating versions.
If you're targeting Stripers from the surf, it's important to carry a variety of lures. You’ll need a mix of floating, slow-sinking, and slow-floating plugs, along with heavier metal lures like the 2 to 2.5 oz Mikey Jig, bucktails, and Kastmasters for long-distance casting.
I sell a variety of Striper and Perch lures on Facebook Marketplace—just search "myom" to find my listings. In addition to my own lures, I also enjoy using a few other favorites.
I use 140mm to 120mm for striper and 120mm to 110mm for winter perch.
Duo Tide Minnow (Lance 140SF, 140S, 120SF, 120S, 110S)
LUCKY CRAFT FlashMinnow 110 (Matallic Sardine, Super Glow Sardine)
Shimano World Diver Flash Boost 115mm
LUCKY CRAFT FlashMinnow 130MRS (Matallic Sardine)
Shimano Current Sniper Stick 120S (Wonder Candy)
Yo-Zuri Hydro Monster Shot 95mm and 110mm
For the winter paddle tail Perch fishing, these are what I like.
1.5 oz no-roll sinker eBay
Charlie Brewer's Crappie Slider (Motor Oil Red Glitter) Crappie Slider
Z-Man Crusteaz (Motor Oil Color) DiscountTackle
8mm Crystal Glass Beads Amazon
If you’re targeting big winter Perch, using 100mm to 120mm jerkbaits is key. These are some of my favorite lures for the season. I also sell some of the best winter Perch jerkbaits—check them out on Facebook Marketplace by searching "myom".
While most surf fishermen wear waders, I’ve been using a neoprene wetsuit vest and pants for the past five years—and I prefer it for several reasons. One major advantage is that I can comfortably walk long distances on the beach, and neoprene gear tends to last much longer than traditional waders.
After each fishing session, I rinse off the sand, let the wetsuit dry in the sun for 24 hours, then shake out any remaining debris. I’ll also run it through the washer and dryer, and it’s ready to go for the next trip.
For footwear, I wear neoprene socks with a layering system: first, a thin 100% polyester sock to prevent rubbing against the neoprene; then the neoprene sock itself; and finally, another polyester sock over the top to protect the neoprene from sand and pebbles. I finish it off with Croc-style sandals for comfort and easy drainage.