Sand Perch, Diplectrum formosum

Coastal anglers of all skill levels will attest that the Sunshine State is not only home to a wide array of prized inshore, near-shore, and offshore gamefish, but also provides perfect habitat for dozens of both migratory and resident baitfish species. The most popular that immediately come to mind are mullet, sardines, cigar minnows, etc. but there is also a wide array of less popular choices which, when you can get your hands on them, produce equally outstanding results. One in particular is the sand perch.

Often referred to as squirrelfish by Florida’s West Coast angling community, sand perch range from North Carolina to Uruguay, and throughout most of the Gulf of Mexico, though are rarely seen in the Caribbean. Sand perch, as their name implies, prefer fairly shallow habitat over sandy bottom with sporadic grass patches lying at the base of natural and artificial bottom formations. The species does not tolerate cold water and begins heading offshore into deeper water with the onset of winter. Maximum age of sand perch has been recorded at six years old with spawning rituals regularly occurring during the late spring and summer months. Interestingly, sand perch have both male and female organs all at the same time! This is known as being a hermaphrodite.

To the eye, sand perch are quite appealing with electric blue cheek markings and orange and blue sides. Though sand perch rarely exceed ten inches in length, they have a relatively large mouth and extremely sharp gill plates - so be careful when handling them

Scientific studies show that shrimp and crabs make up the majority of the sand perch’s diet, especially for the youngsters. Larger adult specimens also regularly consume juvenile bottom fishes. Sand perch are characteristically territorial and generally set up shop in one particular area where they carry out their entire life cycles.

Although fairly large numbers are taken incidentally both inshore and on the snapper and grouper banks off both coasts of Florida, and the fact that they make quite good table fare, sand perch are generally not regarded as a food fish because of their relatively small size and difficulty to clean. Rather, sand perch make excellent bait, particularly for grouper, large snapper, tarpon, cobia, and snook. The only trick is, getting your hands on them.

Sand perch can typically be caught on almost any sandy bottom and also frequent rocky shoals and inlets. This fish also spends much of its time in or near holes under rocks, often excavating these shelters by lying beside the rock and vibrating its body to fan the sand away. During the summer months, concentrations of sand perch are often found roaming along the beach in four feet to twelve feet of water. They are also commonly seen inland near mangroves. You can usually just stop your boat and drop baits overboard and be into squirrel fish - but if you haven't caught one in the first few minutes, move on to another likely location. Shore-bound anglers often find sand perch along encrusted sea walls. Catching them with the use of a cast net is an effective technique for obtaining a days supply, as is cut shrimp and squid on basic hook and line

Sand perch can also be found in deeper water up to twenty-five feet in depth, but again, only in areas featuring sandy bottom with sporadic patches of sea grass. The best way to specifically target sand perch is to place a pinfish trap in an area where you've caught a few by hook and line, or simply test the trap in different locales of patchy sand and grass in water depths of seven to fifteen feet until you find a healthy concentration. Although you will find sand perch schooled up, they are hardly ever seen in dense populations like pinfish, so catching large numbers of only squirrelfish would be highly unlikely. One can expect to see an average of about six to twelve at any given location at any given time.

When bottom fishing for grouper and snapper with sand perch, hook them through the back in front of the dorsal fin and lower them into the depths. If a cobia or king mackerel doesn’t inhale the bait on the way down, then hold on tight, because a big grouper, snapper, or powerful amberjack surely will once the offering knocks on their front door. Sand perch are also effective when filleted and used as freshly cut chunk baits, though they shine the brightest as frisky live baits.

Many East Coast anglers will tell you that sand perch are one of their favorite go-to baits for giant inlet snook. Livelined into the rocks, over the years, sand perch have accounted for countless trophy linesiders, and continue to do so today.