Tackle
Perch rigs for live bait try minnows, earthworms, grubs etc.Use #4 or #6 hooks
Panfish Rigs
Rigs are a productive and easy way to catch many different species of fish. We suggest 2 types of rigs:
- Live bait rigs/Crappie rigs
- Float rigs
Live bait rigs/Crappie rigs
Start by attaching the Crappie rig to your main line, and add about a 1/2 ounce casting sinker to the bottom of the rig. Simply add a minnow or piece of worm to the hooks and drop it over the side. Let the rig sink to the bottom and take up the slack in the line so the rig will standup straight.
Bobber Rigs
Bobber rigs can be effective for Perch and are a great way to get kids started fishing. Use a Mini-Shy Bite Float by Thill, but any type will work for pan fish. First, figure out how deep you want your bait off the bottom and tie the bobber stop knot on your line at that depth. Slip on the bobber stop bead and then the slip bobber and a hook. Put a good size split shot about a foot or two above it. Bait the hook and throw it all over the side. Make sure you have some slack in the line to allow the bobber to bounce up and down during a bite. You can fish a bobber rig next to the boat or toss it away from the boat. Bobber rigs work great if you want a relaxing day of fishing or for kids. If the bobber goes under water, set the hook, period. If the bobber continuously bounces a few times in a row, set the hook during the bounces. If after attempting to set the hook, you did not hook the fish, check the bait. If it’s still there, get it back down quickly; the fish may still be interested. If the bait is gone, re-bait the hook and get it back in the water. School is in session and a class maybe waiting for your worm to come on down!
Don’t like the idea of using live bait? Try casting
Casting- You can also use a variety of plastics such as a Crappie kit. Panfish kits also work well to locate them. Some people use this method to locate a school, once they do, they switch to vertical fishing because for them it’s most effective method.
Where can I find the fish?
I invite you to see the fishing hot spots page for a list of places to fish on a lake
License
See our fishing license page for a link to your site fishing license policy.
Well, that’s all, if you’ve read this entire page, followed all the links, you should be ready to out and catch some Perch! Now that wasn’t too complicated was it? We hope this article was clear and enjoyable. If you have any comments? Send us a feedback, we’d love to hear from you! If you haven’t already, please don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter.
© 2005, Scott Gaines. All rights reserved.