Perch Near Jensen Beach?

baitin

Looking for delicious perch tacos.

Recently moved here from Inland Valley North San Diego California where driving out to catch surfperch(usually Amphistichus argenteus) for some crispy tacos was always a good time. I know there are many, many tasty fish around here(major reason I moved here along with my wifes family being here) but have been craving some perch tacos(saltwater, though I am craving ringers, crappie and gill tails too! I need to get out to Savannas asap).

I see there are at least 2 kinds of perch found around here, Silver(Bairdiella chrysoura) and Sand(Diplectrum formosum). Are either of these comparable in size/taste/etc to the Pacific surfperch? I have not had a chance to fish the surf yet, but have already spent a lot of time in the intracoastal. Loving it so far. So much life here its beautiful. I have eaten a fair share of sheepshead, blue swimming crab and snapper so far. If the wind closes out I may be able to try for my first snook before tomorrow ends. haha

My neighbor had mentioned catching some small sized fish on the intracoastal(said it was great bait haha) in the mangroves that he said reminded him of an elongated bluegill and I thought he may have been referring to Sand Perch. Do they come into the intracoastal? Any tips or suggestions on targeting the little tacos is appreciated.

Sand Perch

mandaferret

No offense, but this post is a biologist's nightmare.
Pacific Surfperch are under the family Embiotocidae. They only live in the Pacific.
True Perch are of the family Percidae and live farther north and primarily in freshwater.
Silver Perch is a type of croaker, Sciaenidae, most closely related to seatrout. They used to be very common here, usually referred to as sugar trout. In the past ten years, I have seen one, which was only about 2" long. I have no idea what happened to them, perhaps over fishing.
Sand Perch are a member of the grouper family, Serranidae. They are uncommon here, but can be locally abundant.
As for a fish similar to surfperch, habitat and feeding behavior is most similar to our mojarras. I have never eaten surfperch, so I cannot make any sort of comparison.

Tripleclean

I'd send you to Rubio's or tell you to go up to San Pedro and hit the fishmarket!

but your here....;(

baitin

mandaferret wrote: »

No offense, but this post is a biologist's nightmare.
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None taken. I agree, that is why I posted the binomina instead of just saying "perch" and also the mention of craving ringers, what we called Yellow Perch(Perca flavescens) at Crowley Lake in the Sierras, as you said, in the Percidae family.

I figured if they all went by 'perch' of some sort, that they may all be considered 'panfish'.

Thanks for the info. Sad about the Silver, "sugar trout" makes it sound extra tasty.

baitin

Found some at Palm City Bridge last night. Was not targeting or even expecting it! Small circle hook and some bits of dead shrimp from the afternoon, about six inches of water opposite the bridge lights within one foot of the concrete piling. I plan on taking my cane pole with me next time and do some vertical jigging with small live shrimp.

I was in my trunks so I did not have a camera on me as I was wading just before going over to the bridge. I really need one of those float cases for my phone.