Bait Fishing

When waters are ice-free, worms and minnows are the most widely used baits. Since these fish are on the small side, African night crawlers are not needed. Small garden worms or small pieces of night crawlers will attract their attention.

Start fishing on bottom and work up until fish are found. Because perch strikes freely, a taut line is necessary. Minnows can be worked in the same manner. Give them a little freedom with added leader between weight and bait. They can be baited by hooking them on the back just behind and slightly below the dorsal fin, or through both lips, leaving the minnow free to swim about and to stay alive longer.

It's not uncommon to see bobbers used with live bait. This takes the worry out of being close or the possibility of snags that may be under the surface. Lead line can be set to keep bait just above any obstacles that may cause problems. Using a small bobber allows fish to pull it under or at least move it, letting the angler know the bait has been taken. Always adjust your bobber to the size and weight of your bait.

Jigs are also successful at all times of the year. Allow them to sink to bottom and gently raise and lower the rod tip. Sometimes a variety of retrieves are effective -- straight, undulating, hopping, etc. In some cases, perch have shown a liking to certain colors of jigs. Yellow or white are top choices, but off-colors are effective in certain conditions.

Feathered, rubber, and in between, jigs work well as long as they are small. One-sixteenth to one-quarter weights (for big perch in current areas or under windy conditions) will do the trick. In general, use lighter jigs for shallow water and heavier ones for deeper water. Some jigs on the market are laced with silver or gold tinsel which may help to attract the fish by imitating the flash of an injured baitfish. These tinsel jigs are especially effective in dirty water.

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