About a month ago a friend of mine came by to show me the 21" Redtail surfperch he caught fishing in the surf just north of here. That's the biggest one I've ever seen. I measured it myself.
I got on the computer that night and found this.
16 inches
Size and age
Redtail surfperch grow to at least 2.1 kg (4.5 pounds), 41 cm total length (16 inches); and reach the age of 14 years.
The largest redtail surfperch recorded measured 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) and 4 pounds 1 ounce (1.84 kilograms).
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I know that's not right because I've caught many over 16". Up to 18".