Sand Perch fishing in Florida

Sand perch are small, tan sea basses with blue and orange lines on the face, living over sand, shell and scattered rubble around both coasts. From shore they turn up off long piers, jetties and bridges in the deeper water, most often on the Gulf side and through the warm months. They bite readily through the day and take almost any small bait, which makes them a fun fish for kids and a common bycatch when bottom fishing for snapper and grunts. Fish a double-drop bottom rig or sabiki with size 4–6 hooks and 1–2 oz of lead, baited with small pieces of shrimp or squid, and drop it to the bottom beside the pier. Light spinning tackle with 8–12 lb line is plenty. They are edible if bony but rarely reach a pound; many anglers keep a few alive as bait for grouper and flounder. Their gill covers and dorsal spines are sharp, so handle them with a wet towel.