I typically do alright for perch. Here's some issues that could be occurring: An obstacle for a lot of folks is getting out far enough. I wear chest waiters and am usually standing in but deep-water (I come a little back inland after I cast if seas are rough). Location could also be an issue. I think they like laying in deeper pools. When you cast you should fee like you're in a bit deeper water that you're currently standing in. I find areas where freshwater streams enter the ocean are good-- always seem to get some fish fishing near them. I also often drive down the coast when the water is murky to find clearer water too. If they are there they'll usually bite, so if you don't get a bite in 20 minutes I'd recommend moving. Good luck! I think it took me three times before I got any the first time.

Bait isn't your problem. Most consistent days will coincide with a SMALL wave swell. Fish the incoming tide 90 minutes before high tide and up to 90 minutes afterwards. I've had good days right by the casino in Ocean Shores as well as north on Copalis Beach. Damon Point is good too if you don't want to cast out too far and don't have waders. It's a long walk though! This Wed/Thursday (7-31/8-1) is a week that looks great with calmer conditions forecasted and long intervals between wave sets. Ideal high tide times for AM to early afternoon/evening fishing session according to tide book. I've killed it with DOUBLE hookups on days when all 3 of these factors are in line. I agree with Fish-or-man also, clearer water helps so fish see bait when darting in and out of waves. If its polluted (i.e. foamy...YUCK) or murky, the surf perch stay away and bites are minimal at the least. Ditto for overly windy areas and bigger set waves over 4-5 feet. Weekend Fri/Sat/Sun (8-2 to 8-4) shapes up too but the time between waves breaking is shorter. We could be looking at a week or so of better surf perch conditions starting Tuesday evening so get out there again if you can! You can check my older post on surf perch which has more details. I'll be out there either Wed. or Thurs. and will post my results. Hopefully I can hit one of the weekend days too...TAKE WHAT YOU CAN EAT AND LEAVE THE REST TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY! Tight lines...

At Westport I've done the best in late summer by fishing off of E Ocean Shores Blvd NW along the N Jetty of Grays Harbor. There is a parking area near the sewage treatment plant and a trail going down to the jetty. The perch are not the red tailed surf perch but look more like a piling perch with horizontal lines. We caught two 5 gal buckets full of 12-16" perch for 4 folks and 3 keeper crabs on sand shrip pieces. We used standard spinning drift rods with 2-3 oz prymid sinkers on a 18" droper and a 12" leader with a #6 mustad 7904-BR (old ref. 7904) double hook with a safety pin on the back of the shank. Excellent for small sand shrimp or tails. The trick is to get there at low tide and look for sandy pocket areas where the rock has fallen away from the jetty. Cast 30-50' out so your sinker sets next to the rock on the sand otherwise you'll hang up. The perch hang close to the rocks. The crab seemed to be farther out. I used a line tangle snare with a couple of trebble hooks buried in it. Had we had a long handled net we would have limited on crab. The crab will hold on until you're close in and then let go when you attempt to lift them from the water. Good luck