Weekend Perch fishing marathon

[Gone Fishing]

Took a vacation day Friday and headed out to the Canadian waters of lake Erie in search of some of those big jumbos they get over there. It was a cool overcast day with a 15 – 20 mph SW wind that kicked up a nice 3 – 4 ft chop on the lake. Looked like all the right ingredients for a great day of Perch. Well, somebody forgot to tell the Perch how perfect of a day it was. The fish we caught were all 10 to 13 ½ inches but they were few and far between. Ended up with 60 in 4 hrs of hard fishing. It seemed every time we get some fish going, our anchor would slip (should of brought my anchor with me). Anyway a slow day but I hope to get back up there again before the snow and ice get here.
Saturday I headed out to my stomping grounds on the Canadian side of the Pond. Made quite a few moves and ended up with a 2 man limit by early afternoon.
Sunday I decided to try a spot off the Johnson where I caught some nice fish a couple weeks ago. Started out slow with a lot of small fish but then the Perch Goddess sent a nice school directly under my boat. Nobody around me was doing much but we started pulling fish 2 and 3 at a time. Lots of throw backs but lots of jumbos in the mix as well. Ended up with a 3 man limit with approximately half the fish over 10 inches with many in the 12 inch class and a few over 13. All in all, a pretty good weekend with lots of tasty dinners as a reward.

Hey ESOX, it’s tough sticking to the Perch fishing when I keep hearing about all these big Skis guys are catching. Gotcha picked up a beautiful 37 lber on Saturday and Brad (Yellow Belly) got a hawg 39 lber on Sunday. Makes me want to break out the big baits and go for a troll!

[Ed Michrina]

Good job Gone Fishing. The Perch don't seem as predictable as in years past. sounds like you did your penance and it paid off.
I'll be out harassing the deer Tues-Thurs, but will prob give the boat thing one last try Fri/Sat or Sun.

[Gone Fishing]

Originally posted by Ed Michrina
The Perch don't seem as predictable as in years past.

Hey Ed, I know what you mean about not as predicable. Seems like many of the weed beds off the Bassett and around the weather buoy are just not there this year. There are some good beds between the Johnson and the Ruscom but the fish seem to be congregated in small areas. If you don’t land on them, it’s a real struggle to get your fish. Anyway, I probably won’t be out till next weekend so maybe we’ll see you out there. Good luck on your quest for venison!

[Fried Fillets]

I also have found that the perch don't seem to be grouped in large numbers. Last week, we caught fish but it was far from steady action. And as John said, the Bassett has been very quiet, maybe that will change yet, who knows. I also have found that the size is down from last year, plus they don't seem as "thick" as they were last fall. With all that being said, I need another week off to obtain more data!:D

[northern_outdoorsman]

Good Job John! I got your phone message but Had my Daughters this weekend so I couldn't go...Maybe next time!:cool:

[salmonslammer]

Nice going!!!! I hope to get out this weekend. I have got a score to settle with them little yellow bellied minnow suckers:)

[ESOX]

[i]Hey ESOX, it’s tough sticking to the Perch fishing when I keep hearing about all these big Skis guys are catching. Gotcha picked up a beautiful 37 lber on Saturday and Brad (Yellow Belly) got a hawg 39 lber on Sunday. Makes me want to break out the big baits and go for a troll! [/B]

Yep. it's hawg time. Unfortunately I was unable to only three days on my week off. We lost a screamer in the dumps in 12' just east of the grass hump. had it on for a while, with it pulling drag the whole time, it finally shook loose. I didn't have the rod in my hands, but I could tell she was a PIG!:) Had two hours to kill yesterday morning and managed a couple of little 12-15# from shore. Had another good one on (my guess would be 25# or so) but some.............well you know, in a boat ran over my line despite my yelling and waving at him.:(