Deep water perch riggin'....

[gunrod]

I've only fished the bigger ponds for them during the ice. It was easy since you have no wind and need no weight other than a tear drop. How do you guys rig for perch on Erie and LSC in deeper water (like 19 feet)? What kind of weight do you use?

[sfw1960]

GunRod....
Though I'm on the other side of the state ~ a perch is a perch!

I try to fish when the wind isn't whippin' (early morn') and employ the SAME techniques used on the hardwater - but with a 10' SteelY rod instead , and I do bring a pair of 24" ice rods - if the bite is really tough.
If the wind is lumpy -use a jiggin' rod . I'd recommend a swedish pimple or a jiggin' rap in sizes 2-5 depending on the "chop" - and if they are biting really lite - rig a pimple with a short 2-3" dropper with an ice jig in place of the treble....keep your finger on the line & stay in contact with the bait!
The traditional pyramid sinker or big bell type with a double spreader work , but I feel they detract from when you have light bites.....
Sometimes over here we have to fish 60 FOW for 'em!

Go git 'em GR ....:evilsmile
:D Robert :D

[The Whale]

3/8 oz Bell off of a spreader. 3/16 oz on bottom of a slip rig.

[gunrod]

Thanks.... I like the pimple idea. I have quite a few of those and jigs. That sounds like a pretty good rig.

I'll try the spreader method too.

[Rondevous]

My long gone old timer buddy used 16 penny nails.

He swore by them and sharpened hooks with light line.

[CMFish51]

Anything over 15 FOW in Erie we use Crappie rigs. Put a 1/2 to 3/4 oz. sinker (depending on waves and depth) on and attach a hook on the same snap as the sinker, and pound the bottom, then hold it just off the bottom an inch or two, then repeat. Doing this, stirs up the bottom, making the ever so curious perch come check it out, and when the bottom clears a little bit, there is lunch hanging out on or near the bottom. You will catch perch on the other two hooks, but 75% of the fish will be caught on that bottom hook. Also, when you are in the deeper waters, use fireline. The mono stretches too much and the quick lite biters are gone before you know it...

[monkeypuke]

I use the made-up perch rig with the heavy mono & crimps,with various colored beads at the hook,I've bought them at Jay's & Frank's ,use a 3/4 oz bell sinker ,I use my 9ft. lite steelhead rod.drop it to bottom take up the slack & keep a little tension on the rod tip I believe the sinker pounding the bottom helps the bite on tough days

[fishinmachine2]

I like to make my own rigs. I use a # 7 or # 8 tru-turn off-set hook and a 1/4 or 3/8 oz bell sinker. Keep the sinker on the bottom and then tie the first hook 4 to 5 in. above the sinker and then the second hook the same distance above the first hook. Then when your sinker is on the bottom you know your hooks are just up off the bottom. I use this rig alot on Erie and Saginaw bay.It also worked good on lake Michigan. Make sur you use a soft enough pole so you can see the soft bite. Good Luck!!

Scott