[jimhx720]

I need to know the best way to rig for perch when just using minnows. I was using a #12 treble hooked through the back just behind the top fin with a split shot. Out of three perch I had come into my hole yesterday I caught only one. I watched the other two try to take the minnow and they would suck it in head first and it seemed when they got to the treble it would stop them form taking it the rest of the way and they would spit it out. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[slowpoke]

There are manys ways to rig a minnow. Try small bare hook and hook minnow through the lips, also you can use a jig. I don't use treble hooks for perch.

 

[jimhx720]

I'm pretty new to ice fishing for perch and just trying to figure this stuff out as I go along. Thanks for the tips. What size hook should I use?

 

[rivrat1959]

#1- Don't use a treble hook, use a regular hook or small teardrop.

#2- Use a waxworm or wiggler

GO SMALL!!! If they're finicky you will outfish the guy next to you that is fishing minnows, if you fish waxies, wigglers or any small grubs. I've seen it a millian times.
I hardly ever even use minnows anymore unless the jumbos are piled in an area.

 

[hoffie1]

You can also use just the head.Give it a jig every few seconds or try just the eye of a perch.As slowpoke said I would stay away from trebles for perch.Hook size I would use at least a size 8.

hoffie

 

[woodsman rick]

I fished Hubbard Lake yesterday for perch, in the one hole I used wigglers the other I used minnows. In the minnow hole I used a small teardrop and hooked the minnow at the dorsel fin or lips. I cought around 50 fish (20 or so keepers), all but a handful were cought on the wigglers. There were times I couldn't get the wiggler down the hole to deep water (10') fast enough for the fish and they would not hit the minnow.

Rick

 

[Ralph Smith]

I've had perch in the hole that would suck at the minnow, and not take the whole thing in, then spit it back out and swim away. The wouldn't get to the hook. And I've found hooking them through the lips, makes them get the jig head, or line to hook in their mouth first, and they know something is up(this is when their finicky). What I did was pinch the head off your minnow, and take the teardrop or tiny jig and go through the back of head tward front and up and out top lip of minnow. This keeps the hook in perfect postion for when the start feeling at it softly, the hook is set right through the roof of their mouth every time

 

[rambo]

If you are using minnows a #10 hook behind the dorsal a small split shot , the smallest bobber that works , and leave the bail open . Let the pearch run 8-10 feet of line before you set the hook. That works for me when they are very light biting. Good luck!

 

[1-CHANCE]

Using minnows, I use about a 6-8 sz. (teardrop) hook and hook it through the gills. If your careful you can do this with out killing the minnow and you'll get a lot of action out of it.
I forgot who told me how to hook them this way it's been along time but it has always worked for me. I must have caught 80 perch today by Bayport, but there were only about 20 percent keepers. Most of them were caught with waxworms.

 

[Frantz]

I ahve not been on these boards very long, but I fish EVERYTHING Except Walleye and Pike size fish using a variety of small glow jigs and iether waxwors, mousies or wigglers. I tried the who minw thing, and it was just more profuctive and cheaper to fish the gubs type bais. Works good with a little stinger hook with another or differant bait on it.

 

[jimhx720]

Thanks a ton for all the responses and ideas. I am stopping by Gander Mountain on my way home from work this evening to upgrade my arsenal and put some of these suggestions into effect Saturday morning. Since wigglers got such a good word form more than one person, I think that is going to be my primary approach.
Thanks again to everyone.

 

[StumpJumper]

Wigglers Rule, period