Kidding Around with Perch-part 4

Trick or Treats

Cold fronts, an overabundance of forage, clear water or too much fishing pressure will usually make perch sluggish. Although these fish can be enticed to approach aggressive and/or large presentations, they usually can’t be goaded into striking them. If they do hit, they often won’t fully inhale the lure, and the result is a missed fish.

Have a second rod on standby rigged with a small horizontal ice jig, such as a Lindy Techni-Glo Fat Boy or a Northland Forage Minnow Fry, tipped with a tiny offering of a waxworm or a Berkley Power Natural Maggot. The slow rate of fall and easy-to-inhale features of this presentation will usually result in a follow-up strike and a positive hook up.

To pull this off in deep water, use this same offering and a six-inch piece of Berkley Vanish 3-pound test to attach this same small offering to a hook less rattling spoon. Northland’s Buckshot Rattling Spoon and the Lindy Rattl’r Spoon are both great choices. Drop it back down in place of the unsuccessful presentation, and get ready to set the hook. Sluggish perch a knockin’? Trick ‘em with a spoon and treat ‘em to a tidbit.

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