I was using the same set up (bottom fishing with shrimp) while fishing for Shiner Perch today in the Burrard Inlet. Didn't catch as much as anticipate... wished the shrimp stayed on the hook a bit better while those little buggers nipped at it.
What fun,
For little shiners my kids always used hotdogs ,works like a charm.
But for the bigger Pilings Peach.. the ones that can grow a couple of pounds or more , the best bait is tiny crabs.
At low tide , turn a few rocks over and collect them up.
I think the little black and white spotted ones are the best. lol
But seriously....
If you really want to catch a perch.....tiny crabs...and tiny hooks, just hook them right thru the shell.
They stay on the hook and the perch really have to work at to get the meat out.
and if there was every a fish, that you need to set the hook with, it's a perch.
scrappy little things
: )