Finicky perch

[223MB]

Been having a hard time lately triggering a bite from the jumbos, can watch them come up, bump he hook and stare at it but no bites.
What are some tips and tricks to trigger bites? I’ve switched up lures, baits, even used freshwater shrimp that I found inside the gut of a few I managed to catch but with little success.

[thorne]

I have noticed the same thing, and all of a sudden one day they started hitting like crazy for about 3 hours, then......there they sat. Wish I had a better answer, but I have noticed Jumbo just eat when they want to and for the rest of the time.....is Nappy Time. You have fortunately fought 2/3rds of the fight.

1) You found Perch
2) you found Jumbos
3) Catch them!

Most of the time getting to Step 1 right now is very very lucky!

[223MB]

Originally Posted by thorne

I have noticed the same thing, and all of a sudden one day they started hitting like crazy for about 3 hours, then......there they sat. Wish I had a better answer, but I have noticed Jumbo just eat when they want to and for the rest of the time.....is Nappy Time. You have fortunately fought 2/3rds of the fight.

1) You found Perch
2) you found Jumbos
3) Catch them!

Most of the time getting to Step 1 right now is very very lucky!

At his particular lake over the years I have caught many over 13,
A couple 14’s as well but these fish are often so picky and just Cruze by your hooks. I have honestly tried everything and was just wondering if anyone has any secrets haha.

But then there’s other lakes around that hold mostly 8-10” and you can’t keep them off the hook, it’s so bizarre. I guess it’s like the big white tails, they didn’t get big by being stupid.

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Reminds me of Long lake frustrations.

[DOGFISH]

You just have to be there at the right time. We caught today but it was work. The jumbo's have so much food they have all kinds of time to cruise around and look at hooks.We caught some 11 and 12" Perch today and will have a nice feed of fish in the AM.

[Red Bullets]

Only suggestions...

Finicky big perch will sometime respond to the most natural looking baits instead of the colorful hooks and maggots. They don't have to decide what they are looking at and come in easier.

If you are seeing emerald or spottail shiners down the hole catch a few for fresh bait. And keep the dead shiner bait looking as natural as possible in your presentation. Even try laying the minnow right on the bottom for the perch to pick up. They'll swim a couple feet before stopping to swallow the minnow. Then set the hook.

You won't catch as many little perch using minnows, although a mid sized perch will eat a one inch minnow pretty quick too.

[Sundancefisher]

Fish a micro leech or a chironimid with a couple maggots. Drop to bottom and do an ultra slow wiggle up. Imitates an emerging bug. Very effective.

[RavYak]

I have a couple tricks that might work. Take me out and we can try them out.

[super mario]

Originally Posted by RavYak

I have a couple tricks that might work. Take me out and we can try them out.

x2 lol

[Talking moose]

Just go to lac la nonne in 25-35 fow and toss anything down.

[PlayDoh]

I’ve been looking hard to find some, but no dice. At Crawling valley and McGregor, so I know I’ll be lucky to see any and if their bigger than my lure getting them to bite will be near impossible.
I’m really just interested in finding them, and from what I’ve gathered they should be out from the weeds now, in 15-30 ft. What I’m interested in, is do they spend all their time out there? Do they feed out deeper now, and in and by weeds?
I would think they would head into the weeds at dusk, at any time of year. Considering Walleye and Pike come in to the weeds at dusk, I’d imagine it’s in part for perch. They are tasty so can’t blame them.
Maybe I’d just be better off driving north and get on a lake that has a decent population, lol.

[smith88]

I have found that a red hook with some black wire and a piece of worm has been worked for me. Perch have taken it over same hook with maggots. Worms in cold water are tougher than maggots and I have been able to catch multiple fish with one piece.