About Perch (Shrenkii, Fluviatilis and Flavescens)
Perch is a popular name for different types of fish species; balkharsh perch (perca schrenkii), European perch (perca fluviatilis) and yellow perch (perca flavescens).
Perch are simply carnivorous freshwater fish. You can commonly find them in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Their diet comprises of aquatic insects, small fish, and shellfish.
These types of fish are common among anglers. They swim in schools. Perch are active at dusk and dawn -- these are the two times when they tend to feed.
More…
Ice Fishing Safety and Basics
Ice fishing simply refers to a fishing method where a fisherman/woman aims to catch fish through a hold inside the ice of frozen body water. Frozen water in this case can be lake, pond, or even instances of a river.
Some ice anglers have elaborate setups that consist of heated cabins. Others simply tend to sit out on open ice and then fish. Over the past twenty-five years, ice fishing has drastically changed. Today, effective modern equipments are available.
A good number of states usually designate certain public lakes and ponds where anglers can conduct their ice fishing for perch. Whenever you head out for ice fishing, your safety ought to be your top priority. This is because this form of fishing is dangerous.
4 inches is the recommended depth for any person to walk on frozen water. Sadly, many anglers risk walking on even two and a half inches of ice. It is very risky. Situations can pop up where ice can break because of offshore winds.
Another ice safety precaution you need to take is to make sure you have charged your cell phone. Additionally, tell someone exactly where you intend to be fishing, when you leave and the time he or she should expect you back.
Lastly, be cautious of ice rot during the late-winter warm-ups. As much as ice at the needed depth, it cannot support the normal weight.
Ice Fishing For Perch Equipment and Tackle
Ice fishing needs some special tackle and equipment. The following list isn’t a complete list … in fact, far from it. It just features some essential tools that you might need to carry with you on your ice fishing for perch escapade.
Here you go:
- Fully charged cell phone
- Back-up winter clothing
- Frabill suit or proper winter clothing
- Ice cleats
- Auger or ice chisel
- Durable and warm boots
- Ice scoop
- Bucket
How to Conduct Ice Fishing For Perch
Step 1: Just Get Moving
No matter what, when or where you are fishing mobility, is a crucial to success ... Assuming you were inside a boat, and do not get any bites during open water season, just how long would you stay at one spot? I hope, not for long.
Therefore, why do you do it differently when winter sets in? Nowadays, it is somewhat east to pick up, and get moving to try elsewhere. This is all thanks to portable huts, snowmobiles, ATVs, hand-held GPS units, fishfinders, lightweight ice augers, warm floatation suits etc.
Step 2: Always stay in the loop
Currently, ice fishing is undergoing some huge changes when it comes to tactics and tackle. Things are changing substantially in terms of ice fishing for perch. To make sure you keep up with the trends shaping the day-to-day activities in ice fishing, you need to read magazine articles, attend seminars, watch TV shows and plenty of how-to videos.
Additionally, there are excellent sites with vital information about local ice fishing conditions. To be on the safe side, you can keep a logbook and keep on repeatedly test yourself to check whether you’ve learnt anything. Do so as many times as possible in order to know exactly what works for you and what does not.
Step 3: Always go for ice fishing for perch prepared adequately
Professional anglers carry with them plenty of rods that they rig up in several ways in their boats. The reason they do this is to enable them to change their presentations real time when a need arises. You must do the same when it comes to ice fishing for perch.
For starters, you need to consider the depth you intend to cover. How active will you find the perch? Rig your rods accordingly based on these mentioned and many other factors.
Step 4: Avoid overdoing it
The biggest mistake many anglers tend to make is jiggling too vigorously. For sure, the aggressive fish tend to hammer a large spoon jerked down and up really hard. However, the odds will surely be in your side if you avoid this strategy. Instead, you can try switching your bait by only moving your wrist. Alternatively, move your rod tip down and up slowly just a few inches.
Step 5: Treat your auger blades
When it comes to ice fishing in general, cold snaps are very common. Whenever it gets cold, anglers can surely be in deep problems because of auger blades freezing. To ensure this does not happen, you can spray your blades occasionally. Environmentally friendly cooking spray such Pam, is effective because it not only coats the blades but also resists water from freezing the blades. Treating your blades is more environmentally friendly compared to banging them against ice since it can compromise their sharpness and angles.
Step 6: Wear a Headlamp
Headlamps are indeed very popular especially among hunters. However, as an ice angler for perch, wearing a headlamp is an effective strategy in its own way. Headlamps are handy when it comes to packing up your things when it is dark.
Step 7: Always fish where fish are
Anglers must realize that whenever the ice season sets in, 90% of fish are usually in 10% of water. It is therefore highly important to utilize technology to eliminate dead water and find good water.
Sonar or fish finders can help you locate fish quickly. A GPS unit comes loaded up with impressive contour chips that are handy in efficiently finding spots and areas similar to specifically where to find fish.
Other handy tips and tricks
Use the following other tips and tricks when out ice fishing for perch:
- Steady and slow always wins the fish
- Cover the hole
- Utilize a bobber to set your hook at right time
- Chum the hole
- Bait the bottom
- Make sure you learn how to take care of hypothermia
Conclusion
Everyone can stand and anticipate to catch some perch fish through ice. Nevertheless, ice anglers normally settle to a routine whenever they head out to ice. Inexperienced and unprofessional fishermen/women catch some fish and gradually slow down their action or stop entirely. Perhaps they change holes, colors, depths etc a few times, but that’s just about it. Whenever they stop to catch fish based on such a routine, they quit and then blame it on fish. However, this shouldn’t be case.
You need to learn your trade. You must be able to give ice fishing for perch your all without giving up. Learn as much possible about what this kind of fishing entails. Watch videos, read vastly, and consult with professional anglers to know how they do their fishing. By doing so, you will be able to master the art of ice fishing. In the end, you will not only enjoy fishing, but also go home with quite number of catch.
The above tips, tricks, and guides will surely come in handy in helping enjoy ice fishing. There is no doubt about that. I have tried everything discussed above and can attest to the fact that it effectively and surely works. All the best in your upcoming ice fishing escapade.
Leave a Reply