I have got my perch fishing location dialed in good, and can consistently get lots of bites - I just can't get many fish to the boat.
At first I was using old-style baitholder hooks with cut bait. Then after finding what an improvement circle hooks made for catfish, I bought some small circle hooks for perch fishing.
So far the circle hooks have helped some, but not much. Strangely, most of the perch I do bring to the boat on circle hooks have swallowed the hook. I put my rod in a holder, and waited for the fish to set the hook before picking it up. I have been careful not to cover the hook point with bait. I'm guessing that between the perch's soft bite and my ultra-light rod, there isn't enough pressure there to punch the hook in until they swallow it and take off?
Any advice?
Thanks.
Paul
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I got some #6 Kahle hooks and found they hook perch better than anything else I tried. Bluegill, too. I was catching 3 to 1 until my family switched to that hook one day, then we all got fish.
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I have noticed that very small treble hooks really increase my catch ratio. Just bait it the same way with the hook tips exposed and you should see a dramatic increase in hook ups. Good luck and if this is a location that could handle a few more fisherman I would love a PM on where. Beer battered perch is hard to beat!
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I use small jigs tipped with cutbait. I have a two pole permit. I have set the poles in rod holders but hook up way more holding the poles in my hands. I dont miss too many but i do miss them.
Holding the poles in your hand is the best way. Dont for get to yell "fish on" after setting the hook.
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[#0000FF]I might make the suggestion that you can often hook more fish...and bigger fish...by simply tipping a small jig or spoon with a piece of worm. I am a semi serious perch jerker and I use mostly 1 1/2 inch tube jigs on 1/16 oz. heads on size 4 hooks. A half inch piece of crawler on the hook seals the deal. The fish are attracted by the size and color of the jig and munch the bait...getting the hook.
One of the deadliest color combos I have found is the red and chartreuse plastic...made by Southern Pro...the Lil Hustler. With a red glitter head I make, I call it the RC Killer. (see last pic) It catches lots of other species too...as will many of the jigs or small spoons with a bit of crawler.
One of the keys to more hookups is to be patient. Unless the fish are slurping in the baited jig as soon as it gets down you may have to finess them. Smaller fish...and some larger fish...will first nibble at the bit of worm...with a characteristic "rattle rattle" kind of bite. Don't set the hook on those. Wait until you feel solid weight or the fish does a strong pulldown. Then snap your wrist to set the hook.
With the baited jig you will hook almost all fish in the lip, for easy hook removal. Just make sure your hooks are kept sharp and use only enough bait to get the fish to bite. Otherwise you will feed more than you bring home to feed you.
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Hey TD, good advice and thanks for the pics. I like that jig head/hook in the last couple pics but don't know that I've seen it in Boise area shops or on internet. Who makes em and who is your source? You mentioned the key is the small chunk of worm which is true but for me the ticket has been the chartrues crappie niblets either with a piece of worm or on a jig with or without a tube. This has been the case for me over many years on various waters. Again, thanks for sharing.
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[#0000FF]Those crappie bits DO work well...both in open water and under the ice. I also neglected to suggest a piece of perch meat. Often works better for the bigger fish and is harder for them to get off the hook.
Doubt you will find those jig heads anywhere. The red glitter models are my own invention. I make all of my own jigheads. I have about 45 jig molds and can whup up just about any size, shape and color I need. Don't have to rely on Cabelas or Sportsmans to tell me what I NEED. Ha!
Another thing is that I pour most of my jigs on Matzuo sickle hooks these days...gold, red or black nickel...depending on head color. They are super sharp right out of the box and have a fairly small barb...enough to hold fish on but less to enable easy hook removal...from fish or flesh. I find I got a lot more hookups per strike ratio than with any other hooks I have tried.
I have attached some pics of some of the sizes and colors I make up in those minnow head jigs. They are ideal for tubes...with the barb at the back. I have also been using wobble jig heads a lot the last couple of years and they are super for perch. A great flutter on the fall and they zig and zag on the lift. See pic.
Shoot me a PM and maybe I can send you a few trinkets to try.
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Thanks for all the tips, guys.I'll be doing some hook shopping, and will try the baited jig idea too. The suggestions to not put my rods on holders makes sense too, as I have caught a few while jigging for crappie and have had a better connection rate at those times.
Steve, I sent you a PM.
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2 lb Fireline (RULES) !
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I have found that what I have success for perch on in the winter also works really well in the summer. I use silver Swedish pimples, larger ones tipped with a little bit of crawler and jig them just like through the ice.
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I don't see any mention of perch eyeballs being used as bait. That's been a hot bait from time to time over the years for perch. I still carry a little homemade tool in my tackle bag which is nothing more than a paper clip taped to the end of a pencil. The open end of the paper clip works great in scooping out the eyeball.
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+1 on the eyeball. It's has been my best perch bait by far. 2nd would be a small piece of night crawler, followed by cut bait.