Perch sans minnows

Hi All!

Came up this weekend with the in laws and stayed at KI. Me and FIL went out Saturday around 9 to see if we could find some perching action. I had heard good things about W and E of Kelleys and there was a small pack forming right between American Eagle and Catawba so we went and joined that area. Marked some here and there but nothing crazy but decided to just stop and drop anchor over a little grouping of decent marks. Moved once in the pack but the marks never really got better or stayed and we caught squat. It looked like no one else was pulling either so I regretted not making the run to the Cans where it sounds like everyone is crushing them.

We pulled anchor and just drifted 1 long drift from that perch pack back toward Kelleys looking for a walleye or 2 and ended up with 5 decent sized perch and 2 keeper walleye just pulling harnesses on bottom bouncers.

Now comes the question.......Tibbles and Hi-Way didn't have any minnows Friday when we were on the mainland and KI General Store didnt have any frozen. What's the best "non shiner" rig/bait when the stores are all out?? I have run into that a couple times over the years and I never seem to be able to get bites on crapie rigs/spreaders with crawlers, wax worms, curly tails, etc. Is it sort of "shiners or nothing" or am I just fishing in crappy spots without shiners and it wouldnt matter anyway?

As always, love any suggestions from this group! Everyone on here is super knowledgeable about the Big Lake and its a great resource to have for this old weekend warrior!!

ALSO.......if no shiners, has anyone ever tried pet store goldfish? My cousin and I used to use "feeder fish" from Petsmart for crappie around Columbus and they did just fine for that strategy. The feeder fish were just like 2-3" little goldfish and crappies/bass gobbled em up just fine. Anyone ever try that perching?

Gold fish do not belong in lake erie!!!! they have become a issue in some smaller lakes

spikes or red worms.

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Originally Posted by tomdury

ALSO.......if no shiners, has anyone ever tried pet store goldfish? My cousin and I used to use "feeder fish" from Petsmart for crappie around Columbus and they did just fine for that strategy. The feeder fish were just like 2-3" little goldfish and crappies/bass gobbled em up just fine. Anyone ever try that perching?

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This is absolutely stupid. Shiners are native to Lake Erie. By using store bought goldfish you are introducing another invasive species. I'd also check fishing regulations as it may be illegal. Hope no one listens to this nonsense.

well the bait shops sell goldies when out of shinners, they work ok, creek chubs will work too

Some guys are freezshiners in vodka and use them when shiners are unavailable

I've had success with jigging spoons in the past.

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Originally Posted by tomdury

Hi All!

Came up this weekend with the in laws and stayed at KI. Me and FIL went out Saturday around 9 to see if we could find some perching action. I had heard good things about W and E of Kelleys and there was a small pack forming right between American Eagle and Catawba so we went and joined that area. Marked some here and there but nothing crazy but decided to just stop and drop anchor over a little grouping of decent marks. Moved once in the pack but the marks never really got better or stayed and we caught squat. It looked like no one else was pulling either so I regretted not making the run to the Cans where it sounds like everyone is crushing them.

We pulled anchor and just drifted 1 long drift from that perch pack back toward Kelleys looking for a walleye or 2 and ended up with 5 decent sized perch and 2 keeper walleye just pulling harnesses on bottom bouncers.

Now comes the question.......Tibbles and Hi-Way didn't have any minnows Friday when we were on the mainland and KI General Store didnt have any frozen. What's the best "non shiner" rig/bait when the stores are all out?? I have run into that a couple times over the years and I never seem to be able to get bites on crapie rigs/spreaders with crawlers, wax worms, curly tails, etc. Is it sort of "shiners or nothing" or am I just fishing in crappy spots without shiners and it wouldnt matter anyway?

As always, love any suggestions from this group! Everyone on here is super knowledgeable about the Big Lake and its a great resource to have for this old weekend warrior!!

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Finding minnows are definitely a problem during a great perch bite. Out west, my son n law uses perch eyes for bait, especially for ice fishing. Last week I was low on minnows, so I tried out some perch eyes, and immediately caught several keeper perch. They stay on the hook pretty good and last for a couple of catches. I was pleasantly surprised. Only thing is, you gotta get that first perch in the boat before you can get 2 pieces of bait LOL. My son n law actually made a tool from a toothbrush handle to help pop the eyes out. It works, it truly does. Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by markle

Finding minnows are definitely a problem during a great perch bite. Out west, my son n law uses perch eyes for bait, especially for ice fishing. Last week I was low on minnows, so I tried out some perch eyes, and immediately caught several keeper perch. They stay on the hook pretty good and last for a couple of catches. I was pleasantly surprised. Only thing is, you gotta get that first perch in the boat before you can get 2 pieces of bait LOL. My son n law actually made a tool from a toothbrush handle to help pop the eyes out. It works, it truly does. Good Luck!

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I know a guy that uses shrimp on our reservoir to catch perch. He seems to out fish everything else that are uses red worms.