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Perch Catching Tips

My good friend Bob Kook of Detroit, Michigan is one of the best perch fishermen I know. He goes at it methodically and with a great deal of patience. In other words, bob's approach to the perch species is to slow down your presentation. On an average day, bob will out-fish his fishing companion two-to-one or more.

No matter what lure Bob uses, be it a Flicker (Gapen's most famous perch jig), a 1/16 oz. Freshwater Shrimp, a Crappie Vixen or one of the numerous glow ice jigs such as a Mr. Waxy, the Rock-N-Jig, the #8 or #6 Hog-N-Jig or the NEW RED BALL which he helped me create, the lure is worked extremely slow. At times, he will allow his lure to hold still 10 seconds or more. Once the perch has come within inches of the lure and fails to show added interest, it is raised ever so slowly. If this fails to cause the perch to inhale the jig, an ever-so-slight twitch is given and the lure is allowed to settle ever so slowly. Then the process is repeated.

Only if his victim shows no interest does Bob jerk the lure hard, causing it to dart upward 3 feet or so, then settle. This is done to regain interest or bring another fish in to which he can once again repeat his technique to cause the fish to strike.

Lakes such as Erie, the southern end of Lake Michigan, Devil's Lake in North Dakota and Lake Simcoe in Ontario, Canada are considered North America's top perch lakes.

Perch abound in most freshwater areas in Central, Eastern, and Midwestern United States and not only provide an excellent table fare, but actively challenge the angler's skill.

Watch the Gapen Flicker & Red Ball combo in action!