Kidding Around with Perch-part 5

Reverse psychology

Kamikaze perch will sometimes rise 15 feet to hit a descending lure. Perch can see a long way, especially in the clear water of winter. Use this to your advantage the next time they get stubborn. Reel your lure up to the hole, and on a slack line, drop it back down again. Let it fall all the way to the bottom. This will usually get their attention – causing them to swim from great distances to see what’s up. Take the lure away from them again, back to the surface, and repeat the process.

Pay close attention to your flasher or underwater camera. If you notice a fish that is rising to meet the lure, hit the brakes about a foot above it, and start slowly pumping and swimming the lure upward. The aggressor will usually follow and strike. If you see the reverse happening -- a fish following the lure down after the lure passes it on the drop, let it sit on the bottom until the fish gets there. You’ll be amazed how many will slurp it off the bottom. Now look who the sucker is!

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