Hit Newton Saturday. Not the ‘crack of dawn’ but it was still morning. Several boats out - nice and calm. What a day!
Headed out to mid-lake, and started into my perch-patterns. Got a few. Then a few more! Managed to find the size-pattern I’d hoped to repeat. Even nailed a 9incher chunk! Saw some nice bass when I spooked the shoreline, but even my BlueFox didn’t want to temp them much.
Ran into Ben, and chatted up the morn, as he pitched spinners. As luck would have it - my Bagley Button took a run - and had a good fight on. Ben was kind enough to net the beast (I need a bigger net!) and snap a photo for me! So now I have my Musky Trophy Shot! 39inches and probably 20lbs- what a beast!
I went on to fill my stringer with my beloved perchies! Got into a nice class of 7-8 inchers Couple of bass along the way, but pretty non-stop on the dropshot with the perch.
Of course there’s gotta be one. Ben warned me as he was loading out - a dreaded Ski boat about to launch. It was SO peaceful all day, then ONE boat to stir the muck!
It was fun, that was for sure. And I think you meant 39 inches - haha! When we headed back out after passing you last night, we didn’t get anything. It was a nice evening though.
Thanks for the feedback folks. Made for a busy day - no doubt. That musky put up a workout - lots or runs, around/under the boat. Fun tugs! Hooked up another one later same story - just dangling off the side.
Funny that they call them “yellow” perch - cuz they do come across pretty green!
FG: musta missed last weeks report - had a stringer full then too.
Flyfish03: so I guess we trolled past each other - hope you did better than I. Willard is pretty stingy to me. Gotta hit a puddle like Newton to get my confidence back!
Don’t know what it is about skiers who gotta be screamers. Had been warned they were launching, and heard that gal holler ALL the way across the lake. Amazing how quickly a quiet peaceful day can change all of a sudden.
Don’t know what it is about skiers who gotta be screamers. Had been warned they were launching, and heard that gal holler ALL the way across the lake. Amazing how quickly a quiet peaceful day can change all of a sudden.
You sure that wasn’t yourself hollering like a girl when you when you got your beast? Just Kidding. [:p] I know what you mean about the screaming. I just mimic their scream right back at them and sometimes they decided to shut up. I am just waiting for the day one of them decides to fight me for doing that to them.
Nice fish, I wish I would have been able to hit Newton this weekend. Those skiers are just not going to stop playing are they? That foul hooked perch was what you used to capture that TM huh?[;)] Again just kidding with ya.
You seem to have those perch dialed. Something smells and probably tastes good at your house in the coming days. Perch, it’s what’s for dinner! Thanks for the report.
Yote nice job looks like a great day. You’ve had a pretty good year looks like your down to the wiper and walleye to fill your yearly bucket list. That’s cool good job. J
So i would assume the water level is still high enough to launch at the ramp then eh? I’ve been wanting to get up there but with work I’ve stuck with hitting PV when I am able too. I’d love to head up there early one mid-week day and catch some perch!
Yeah - +1 to what Ben sed. Heck - they got that damned wakeboard boat out there! Probably doesn’t hurt to have 4wd on that gravel, but at least it’s not mud.
A few boats in/out and it could get a bit more slick, but hasn’t been bad.
Probably the toughest thing is when you load out - you basically get your nose up to the trailer - then crank it in - but if you’re not centered - could be a problem. My boat’s light enough to lift/shift to get it aligned if I miss.
Don’t know if the water’s going to drop as far as it did last year. It got pretty steep by the end of October.
I’d say the perch like to hang at the dropoffs - probably 10-20 from shore. Look for any structure you can find. A simple drop-shot with a crawler - has been dead on. But I’ve had them chase spinners, and jigs too.
Here’s what the launch looked like:
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Congrats CS, looks like a great time. I was up there Friday night in the canoe with my daughter, trolling up and down the lake, but all we got was a 7 inch bass. Did see one boat get a muskie.
How far up from the weight are you putting the worm for your perch rig? I have had great success there in the past, but haven’t found them this year.
Got a barrel weight on a 3-way swivel - about 8 inches, then maybe 6 inches of leader to the hook. I could probably go with a lighter weight - but it makes the perch feel heavier [;)] Just up off the bottom.
Have been *meaning *to throw on a wacky-rigged plastic, and see if I can find some REAL bass to play. I know they’re out there - just haven’t dialed them in (yet).
Been using a Eagle Claw bass-hook L045-2/0, it’s silver. Had downsized to small jigs and hooks (ice rigs) earlier, but they seem so willing to munch those crawlers - don’t seem to mind some bare hook. Though I do think a full-fresh crawler draws the bigger ones.
Been pitching it out, or just dropping straight down (if I’m by a good log -mostly 10ft or less depth) - hit bottom - pull taught - wait for a tug. Seems they’ll lunge, then let go - gotta hit the strike, light taps. The long hook-shaft makes it easier to unhook, and cull the smaller pups. I know 8-9 inches doesn’t impress any REAL perch-ers, but they fillet up ok.
Tried out this warm-beer-batter recipe (ifood.tv via In-Fisherman mag) and I thought it was puffy-delicious. They say “fillets should be cold when dipped/dropped”
1.5 lbs of fillets
1 pkg dry yeast
1 c warm beer
1 c flour
pinch salt
1 egg white
Warm bowl - dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm beer. It says add 1 cup flour/salt and stir. I found that made DOUGH. So I think you need more beer to get it flowing. Cover w/ cloth - let sit 1/2 hour. Fold in the egg white, use immediately. Add more beer as needed for a batter that just drips off a spoon
I like to pre-season my fillets - salt/pepper/garlic/lemon salt/maybe some Cajun spice. And sprinkle the fried fillets with lemon juice when serving. Can’t hurt to have a dip of hot-sauce at the ready, if you’re so inclined.
I love that lake this time of year. Seems like the lower water concentrates the fish, PLUS the Powersquad has mostly moved on. Would be nice if they’d fix up that ramp, but then again!!!
I know I suck it up on waters like Willard and the Pig (I’ll keep trying - glutton…) but once in a while - I get it right. Though - still think my Musky are just dumb luck! Hell - not even trying - they’re coming and getting ME! I shared one of those lures with some neighboring anglers - and almost tossed it in the drink! Nice save! I’m still waiting for a stringer to get munched - those beasts are pretty danged bold!
This weekend opens up Porky again - might have to get the rigger out and try a late-fall venture.
But I feel the Bear calling me too - there’s a lot of water to cover!
Thanks again to Ben for being there with the net, and holding the camera - nice to get one “out of the water” so even Lava can consider it “caught”! The boy done earned *his *jigs! Look forward to some ice-tangling out there!
I think the fish is smiling more than you are. Must be that purple shirt.