OK, what am I doing wrong...

[Bryan]

Went perch fishing for the first time Saturday east of Ballast island with the 100 or so other boats. Used a spreader with two minnows, went to the bottom and cranked it up a turn or two. Got there around 10:00 am and fished about three hours without a single catch. We did use preserved minnows that came from Gander Mountain, maybe the fish dont like those or something. Lots of fish were on the fish finder. I'm all ears for suggestions. Thanks!

[Eyezcrazy]

Bryan, I fished that area and found the bite was EXTREMELY lite. I used a single hook and dropped it to the bottom and very, very slowly cranked it up, i'm talking a foot up in 10 seconds. When the line felt tight or even a slight tick of the line, I set the hook and brought it up. I was using frozen shiners from Rickards Bait and cut them in half. Make sure your using a small hook. Don't give up! Give it another try, and feel for the lite bite.

Let us know how you do.

[Bryan]

Thank you, that makes me feel a little bit better! I'll try that technique next weekend, BTW, I'm using a #6 hook.

I've caught a few perch in the past couple months casting for walleye, but this was the first time I fished for perch exclusivly.
I just started fishing in Feb so I'm still learning. The info I've gained from this site has helped a ton!!

[skipper9]

Bryan, If you PM me your addresse I will send you one of rigs that I use.. Youre catch rate will go way up.. Or on saturday I am doing a walleye/Perch combo trip.. You will learn alot with me on a day on the water.. either way .. Or give me a call and I may be able to talk you through to a better catch..

[Wolverine81]

Always use fresh(live) minnows, the salted/preserved stuff is an extremely poor substitute.

[Bryan]

Thank you Skipper9, PM sent!

[Bryan]

Always use fresh(live) minnows, the salted/preserved stuff is an extremely poor substitute.

I was guessing that, they didn't even smell like minnows!

[ReelTime]

Always use fresh(live) minnows, the salted/preserved stuff is an extremely poor substitute.

I disagree. Not sure about the Gander Mountain stuff but I catch allot of perch on frozen lake shiners and even when we take out live shiners I cut them in half.

Bryan just listen to skipper9 and you will be fine.

[assassin]

Although I fish the other side of the lake (Geneva),perch r perch. Last year I tried something diff. during light bite days. My buddy used standard rigs both single&spreaders on one side while I used same rigs on other side but with RED hooks. Red was winner by 2 to 1. Scientific-no Luck-maybe. Whatever works-always. Preserved minnows have only worked in a feeding frenzy. Use reel McCoy! Luck to all!!

[legalskater]

I agree with half minnows, at least down here in the west. I have had excellant luck with Red and Pink hooks. Usually use spreaders with bling, especially as the season progresses. I haven't used frozen shinners yet as I've been lucky enough to get live ones but I would bet those processed ones were the main reason for your lack of fish. But just like the walleye bite tends to differ as you go east I think maybe that also goes for the perch. And as much as I hate to do it keeping the motor running makes a difference most of the time.