NWR Perch Bash......pre poll discussion please

Before Bennett starts setting up polls for the NWR perch bash, can we discuss a few things?

1. Does anyone have contact info for the biologist that have sampled our catches?

2. Have we been missing the peak perch times for the last few years? Do the big ones show up first, last or during the entire run? How much of the timing is due to Solunar period and how much is due to water temp? Any real science on it?

3. It the time around the full moon better, or do we just want it to be better?

4. What else should go into our picking of the date this year. Like bass tournament schedules from Bobs. There is a new guy Blue Steel on the board, if he is the same Blue Steel from BassBoatCentral, then he should be able to get us some bass days to avoid.

5. Can we pull this year off without Crappie Farmer knowing and possibly showing up?

Since PanMan is gone, can one of you computer guys pull up the dates of the last 5 or so years and lets compare the date with the overall catching that went on. I don't get to get to the NWR much, but I want you local guys to put me one the perfect date where even I can catch some fat perch.

Thanks,

Dayton

I certainly don't have all the answers, but I do know Bob's holds an open bass tournament every Saturday of the year from safe light until 3 p.m. They have also started a Sunday winter afternoon tourney (on select dates) that runs from 1-5 p.m. However, the bash is normally on a Saturday.

In general, I usually start catching nice perch down there this time of the year. While the majority spawn in February, I've caught spawners from late December through March. The full moon can be a good time for spawning, but my experience shows that it's a drawn-out affair. It's really a crap shoot on the timing of the event. Take last year as an example, the river was so muddy for much of the perch season that the fishing was really hit-or-miss. However, that hasn't been the issue this year - so far.

I have not noticed any single period to be best when it comes to big perch. Keep in mind that by February, you have some fish that have already spawned, some spawning, and some still in pre-spawn.

I agree with Kevin! I have fished it quite a bit for the last few years and it is very unpredictable even from day to day. I remember 3 or 4 years back Kevin and I caught as many as we wanted the few days leading up to the tournament then the day of the tournment it was hard to even get a few bites. Just dont add a grinel catagory this year because Kevin will clean house LOL!! The 15th and 16th of both Feb and Mar are the full moon weekends. We could also do the New Moon on March 1st. Really depends on weather and I hear it is supposed to be a cold winter this year.

According to official resources the best fishing time is between a new and full moon. In this case that would be Jan 30 - Feb 14 or Mar 1 - 16. Spawning activity takes place at night. February or early March when water temperatures reach 45° to 50°F.

45°-50° ? Wonder if that is warming back to that temperature or what? In Feb, isn't it in the upper 30° all thru there? I agree that I think we are in for a cold one this year. Gonna be breaking ice like 3 years ago.

Can add much except the answer to the obvious question, yes Dayton, your out $5.00.:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl

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Originally Posted by Kevin M

I certainly don't have all the answers, but I do know Bob's holds an open bass tournament every Saturday of the year from safe light until 3 p.m. They have also started a Sunday winter afternoon tourney (on select dates) that runs from 1-5 p.m. However, the bash is normally on a Saturday.

In general, I usually start catching nice perch down there this time of the year. While the majority spawn in February, I've caught spawners from late December through March. The full moon can be a good time for spawning, but my experience shows that it's a drawn-out affair. It's really a crap shoot on the timing of the event. Take last year as an example, the river was so muddy for much of the perch season that the fishing was really hit-or-miss. However, that hasn't been the issue this year - so far.

I have not noticed any single period to be best when it comes to big perch. Keep in mind that by February, you have some fish that have already spawned, some spawning, and some still in pre-spawn.

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While the majority spawn in February... it's a drawn-out affair. It's really a crap shoot on the timing of the event." That river for me is all about water clarity, IF the fish can see your jig it can be caught. Muddy water is a tough day. This year looks like its going to be a cold one, that river ices up in January sometimes. I think we have broke ice at least twice doing the bash.

I know i broke a transducer off my boat in the ice 3 years ago it was thick. That was late Feb

Weather predictions

Feb 2014: Avg temp 41° which is 5° below avg. Precipitation 3" which is 1.5 below avg.
Feb 1-6 showers then sunny and cold
Feb 7-14 periods of rain and snow then sunny and cold
Feb 15-20 rain then sunny and cold
Feb 21-26 rain to snow then sunny and cold
Feb 27-28 rainy and cool

Mar 2014 Avg temp 52° which is 3° below avg. precipitation 3.5" which is 1" below avg
Mar 1-8 showers then sunny and cold
Mar 9-14 Rain then sunny and warm
Mar 15-21 Rain then sunny and cool
Mar 22-27 sunny turning warm
Mar 28-31 rainy period turning cool

Come on Bill the weather guys cant predict tomorrow much less Feb or Mar LOL!

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Originally Posted by NavyAngler

Come on Bill the weather guys cant predict tomorrow much less Feb or Mar LOL!

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I agree 100%. However these people (Farmer's Almanac) was 94% accurate for last winter months.

Dates for poll.... Every sat and Sunday in feb?

I would say Feb 8- Mar 15

Here is a recent picture of Bill.

http://www.biography.com/imported/im...5407-1-402.jpg

I do think Feb dates would be best. Come March, lot of guys are looking at some serious early crappie at other locations. And if you put 6 weeks (twelve dates) the votes get spread so thin. And a Sunday never wins. I'm thinking list 5 Saturdays, Feb 1 to March 1.

Whatcha think.

I start fishing for the perch on the 15 th of jan. The fish are there but a little deeper. All of feb is good!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Percidae_Papermouth

Dates for poll.... Every sat and Sunday in feb?

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Good idea, Bennett. I second.

Third

Sounds good Bennett. Lets roll

Feb 15 is a Saturday and the full moon. Where do I vote?!

What are the dates of any bass tournaments? Also, remember that Super Bowl Sunday is Feb. 2.

bobs has a goodys big bass tournament,sat feb 8,sun feb 23,sun march 2

Sounds like there is only one weekend open for a good turn out in Feb..CF

As far as Saturdays are concerned I thought that I saw only Feb 8th on the fishing hole's website?????

Tap, you are a diehard Steelers fan.........what you need to watch this years Super Bowl for? The commercials? (Insert multiple laughing smileys here)

I've always done best for perch when the water first warms up to 48*. get a 3 day warmin trend that warms it up to 48 and ya have ideal conditions. if this happens rite after the full moon, ya may have a banner day! and a small spinner blade, #1 or #2 above a couple chartruese beads an a piece of cut perch about the size of a crappie minnow will catch ya some in muddy conditions. (#4 Octopus hook)

Doc is there yellow perch in Buggs? I've only caught whites there just curious.... Took me 10 years to find a freshwater drum there!

Good info by the way doc!

Yall know that the perch fishing is so good all of Feb, the parking lot will be full if the weather is ok or better. There will be at least 12+ boats fishing every available weekend all Feb. So I would not worry to much about a crowd, there will be one no matter the day. Same day you can hear one person say where did they all go I got skunked and the very next boat will say Wow what a day my best ever. There must be big schools and you are in them or you are not.

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Originally Posted by Percidae_Papermouth

Doc is there yellow perch in Buggs? I've only caught whites there just curious.... Took me 10 years to find a freshwater drum there!

Good info by the way doc!

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Of course I'm not Doc, in fact I'm not even a very good fisherman. But we fished with fishdoc Oct 30th on Buggs and my stepfather missed a citation yellow by half inch...We caught 2 or 3 that day. Mixed in with crappies over brush.