This is pretty basic info. If you know a few techniques, you probably know all I know, but...

Winter is a great time to fish for perch. You'll usually get the bigger ones (2-3 lb barred) this time of year. Sunset Beach is a good place to start in the Monterey Bay. But from what I've heard, the ocean has been too rough recently for good perching.

My tackle setup for surfperch is a med action baitcast rod (I use 7' but want to get a 8-9 footer for this) and a baitcast reel loaded with 8 lb test. The small line diameter lets you cast easier. I use a carolina rig with a 1/2 - 1 1/2 oz egg sinker. A lot of people use those sliding plastic collars and a bank sinker, but I like the plain old egg sinker. For bait/lure my favorite is a 3 inch Charlie Brewer Slider grub in pumpkinseed. The one with the little knob tail. I thread it on a #6-8 Gamakatsu baitholder hook. I like to have about 4 feet between the sinker and grub.

Besides grubs, shrimp seems to be real popular. And, of course, sand crabs.

From my experience, best times to fish is early in the morning and around high tide. The fish seem to bunch together. I don't know if the roam in packs or what, but I've seen times where you fish an area without a hit for a while, then come back a half hour later and you can't keep them off your hook.

Have fun,

Nicolo