Pesky Perch

It's annoying when you throw a worm in brush piles and the machine gun bites from perch start. I try not to set the hook pre maturely but sometimes they run with it and you have to set it even though you know it's a perch. What do y'all do? Ignore the bites? Set every time you feel something? Any kinda work they will leave alone?

When they are there and aggressive there isnt much you can do. But, if they are there, bass are usually close by imo

If they're big enough, sounds like you need a fish fry.

Try to slowly pull it out of their mouth so they don't destroy your bait, if they pull back rip their lip could be a bass.

Years ago I was fishing the bank with a worm during the spring and the perch bites were non-stop. I finally quit setting the hook. I got what felt like another perch bite and just sat there. Next thing I knew the rod and reel was ripped out of my hands. I caught the end of the grip but my other hand wasn't on the reel so I was helpless. A giant bass came to the surface and got off, but not before I saw what I had missed.

The next day I went back to that spot, got the same bite, and set the hook. It was either my first or second ten pounder.

I typically switch to a bigger worm and it helps some.

I throw a big bream colored swim bait and hold on. Worked for me a lot.

This time of year getting bream bites is like finding a secret honey hole. I use to ride around the lake looking for pontoon boats bream fishing, come back after dark and bass fish. I have caught some really great stringers doing this. And fishing at night doesn't interfere with them bream fishing

Notice the Cajun called it a stringer and not a bag. Lol I'm Jokin bud.

That's basically what I do. Just increase tension until I'm sure it's a perch, then try to not rip the tails off of the plastic. If the perch pulls a little too hard, you just gotta set the hook and see. I've caught a lot of bass in areas where the perch were tearing up my baits.

All that tells me is to throw Blue gill colored baits.

And sometimes you get lucky and this happens!




boom

Is that bluegill crappie? A crapgill?

that's a couple of nice fillets. Just need a few more for a tasty dinner.

That's what I was thinking. I've never seen a bluegill marked like that.

Looks like Red Ear Sunfish, meaner than a blue gill.

Google search tells me that you're right. Had never seen one with that strong of a crappie resemblance before.

Yup that's a big ole shellcracker, aka a red eared sunfish. They're mean and fun to catch. And that's a huge one.

Blast to catch. Lot's of them in Mo. They are bedding now.

how are they biting up there in gods country? I grew up on smithville lake

Normally, from February to mid June, I throw a lot of bluegill baits. If you're throwing a plastic or some sort of shad type bait and you get those bluegill bites, switch over to a bluegill colored bait. More often than not you'll catch the nearest bass hanging around, and it's usually a big one. Bluegill baits get you quality, not quantity.

Or you can just tie on a beetle spin and load up on some bluegill.

I'm gonna have to try that beetle spin trick... wanna know something funny... I own about 20 beetles spins, bought them for the kids.... but I have yet to catch anything on them.. ever... weird right?

I think that is a red ear.

Aww man! You're missing out! Beetle Spin's are great for every species of fish, especially panfish and hybrids.