Perch Fishing with Team Overalls

The day started at 6:30 a.m. when Chumlee66 arrived at my house, boat already loaded up and ready to roll up to Portland and Pick up Sparty at the Park and Ride at 7:30.
Attachment 299217

I stopped at the Shell/Subway To gas up my pickup for the ride up to Muskegon Lake. Chumlee thought a egg sub sandwich would work for his breakfast....then just down the road to pick up Sparty. Jerry put his stuff in the truck and we all got in the truck. That’s when Chumlee66 egg sub had fermented long enough he passed gas.....crop dusted is the new age term! Sparty asked if that was a opossum sub he ate. We made our way up to the bait shop on 120, Sparty got about 80 lively minnows and we were off to the boat launch.
Launch went fine and we motored over to the sand docks.....Jerry opened the lid and all our fresh minnows were floating belly up!!!

Some fresh lake water brought 1/2 back to life. We baited up and Bam, I had perch on, then so did Chumlee66 and then another!
Attachment 299221

We put about 22 keepers in the box, then drug up and moved to The Bear Lake hole and put another 15 or so in the box.
Attachment 299222

Attachment 299223

About 4:30 we called it a day and headed back to the launch, loaded ready to travel back home and clean fish.

Attachment 299224

The inaugural 2018 Team Overalls trip was a success! We caught fish, had a bunch of laughs and for me personally I got to spend a day fishing with my son Chris.....it’s not often with his family and work commitments we are able to spend a day together.

Attachment 299225

The water depths ranged between 40-60 feet, perch rigs with a 1 ounce weight was Chumlee and my set up. Water temp was 38. Overcast skies and a bit on the cold side..... but given the recent cold and snow, we were grateful to get out and fish!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Just Steve

The day started at 6:30 a.m. when Chumlee66 arrived at my house, boat already loaded up and ready to roll up to Portland and Pick up Sparty at the Park and Ride at 7:30.
Attachment 299217

I stopped at the Shell/Subway To gas up my pickup for the ride up to Muskegon Lake. Chumlee thought a egg sub sandwich would work for his breakfast....then just down the road to pick up Sparty. Jerry put his stuff in the truck and we all got in the truck. That’s when Chumlee66 egg sub had fermented long enough he passed gas.....crop dusted is the new age term! Sparty asked if that was a opossum sub he ate. We made our way up to the bait shop on 120, Sparty got about 80 lively minnows and we were off to the boat launch.
Launch went fine and we motored over to the sand docks.....Jerry opened the lid and all our fresh minnows were floating belly up!!!

Some fresh lake water brought 1/2 back to life. We baited up and Bam, I had perch on, then so did Chumlee66 and then another!
Attachment 299221

We put about 22 keepers in the box, then drug up and moved to The Bear Lake hole and put another 15 or so in the box.
Attachment 299222

Attachment 299223

About 4:30 we called it a day and headed back to the launch, loaded ready to travel back home and clean fish.

Attachment 299224

The inaugural 2018 Team Overalls trip was a success! We caught fish, had a bunch of laughs and for me personally I got to spend a day fishing with my son Chris.....it’s not often with his family and work commitments we are able to spend a day together.

Attachment 299225

The water depths ranged between 40-60 feet, perch rigs with a 1 ounce weight was Chumlee and my set up. Water temp was 38. Overcast skies and a bit on the cold side..... but given the recent cold and snow, we were grateful to get out and fish!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

---

Attachment 299240 and thanks to juststeve and sparty for cleaning them they are delicious



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Fun day fishing with Steve and his son Possum. The weather was a bit chillier than they called for and the bite was a bit slower than we hoped for but it was still a good day. Possum was king of the perch hole today and by the time we left the water he was talking smack like he"d been doing it his whole life. I was able to prove to Steve that you can catch perch on a slip bobber in 56 feet of water. Not a lot today but I did catch some. Majority of the fish were females and the eggs were almost ready to be dumped. I will be making this a regular spring trip. Thanks for inviting me along, Steve.

Good job on the perch guys!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Looks like it was a good time

Did you get to use your high dollar rod on these tasty pech

I made a run to Erie, even got to experience a pollock putting up a tent, enough said. LOL

Do you mean Steves new bargain rod or my old bargain rod? He was using an Eagle Claw $20 >< rod and I was using an 8' BGJP I picked up when Gander went under. I guess the answer to either is "Yes" I left my Berkley home, I didn't want to deplete the perch population in Muskegon. ;)

I have to be careful with my secret spots!

Walleye fished yesterday and caught 15. Had rookies who lost about 30. This was trolling. We did catch 18 small mouth. Very odd to find that many in one area while trolling. All the bass were 2 plus pound stout fish. Was a good time. It appears I may have done better than others while trolling.

Rich, how is the size out in Erie? Finding any big fish?

Great post guys. Guess I'll bring a pair of overalls in June. Never caught a perch or walleye, just sayin....

Size is bigger than what was in the river right now. All the fishe we caught were males. 20 inches was the average but we did get one at 27.5 and right under 7lbs. That is the biggest male I can remember catching.

Yeah, that's a pig for a male.

Danny, you will catch a walleye when you come up, and a perch. We can make you an honorary member of Michigan Team Overalls, too. Sort of like the exchange student program but for old guys. :Rofl

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by spartannation

We can make you an honorary member of Michigan Team Overalls, too. Sort of like the exchange student program but for old guys. :Rofl

---

With the secret decoder ring and handshake included!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

I have to be careful with my secret spots!

Walleye fished yesterday and caught 15. Had rookies who lost about 30. This was trolling. We did catch 18 small mouth. Very odd to find that many in one area while trolling. All the bass were 2 plus pound stout fish. Was a good time. It appears I may have done better than others while trolling.

---

Let me guess up in the banana dike

Also caught a nice small mouth,probably would of better but some knuckle head forgot his rod holders

That’s funny, I couldn’t buy a Walleye on the Lake Sunday night, or Saturday.

Well Sunday I got one, but it was to small.

Saturday, I caught a “Kings Ransom” of White Bass.

I stopped counting @ 22. Was a good course in Planer boards though.

Have to figure some things out, like pulling in an outside board with out making a mess.

Only on tangle each day......

So I call that some sort of success.

Ready2Fish, got to see a Pollack in action vs a tent.

I got to see his new boat. Pretty sweet, if he reports that the launch steps for his boat are missing with no visible damage to his trailer, and parts missing, DON’T, look in my garage, or at the steps mounted on my trailer.

They are SWEET, especially for a person who launches solo.

OE

Just ordered a new Green Bay landing net, ended up breaking mine on a monster of a fish Saturday

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OneidaEagle

Ready2Fish, got to see a Pollack in action vs a tent.

I got to see his new boat. Pretty sweet, if he reports that the launch steps for his boat are missing with no visible damage to his trailer, and parts missing, DON’T, look in my garage, or at the steps mounted on my trailer.

They are SWEET, especially for a person who launches solo.

OE

---

And it's all true what they say about pollocks,LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ready2fish

Just ordered a new Green Bay landing net, ended up breaking mine on a monster of a fish Saturday

---

FISH Story..........

Want to know what really occurred?????,

:)

OE

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ready2fish

Let me guess up in the banana dike

Also caught a nice small mouth,probably would of better but some knuckle head forgot his rod holders

---

Nope! Not up by the Banana dyke.

I wanted to stay as far away from that goat rodeo as possible (no offense to wilbur). I heard reports of launches being full and people being turned away by 6:30am. I would have like to launch out of LEMP because of the close proximity to where I was fishing however, I knew better!!!

I got to Sterling State park around 7:05 and parked at the back of the lot. Within 5 minutes my customers (who were early) had arrived. We exchanged some small talk, plesentries, and got the boat ready. They were all in their 50's and have been friends since they were 4. It was like being around my friends. Everybody ribbing each other. I fit right in!!!

A lesson for people seeking walleye in open water this time of year: They are still in spawning mode. NOT all fish spawn in the rivers. In fact, a large portion of them spawn in open water. What do they need in order to spawn??? STRUCTURE! That is how you can narrow down areas in a vast expanse of open water.

When I motored out, there must have been 30 boats around Sterling point. I am not quite sure if they had something going or if it was a classic case of "Monkey See, Monkey Do". Regardless, I wanted no part of it. There is very little structure in Breast bay for me to key on.

I made the 10 mile run north to the outside of Pt. Moulee and fished the dumping grounds. For those not familiar, dumping grounds are designated areas for dredge companies to dump dredge tailings. What does this create? Structure! They are usually marked on your GPS with a dotted line box. This structure creates humps, valleys, troughs, and pits. The fish well be on the front or back or top of these humps.

I was the only boat there. After awhile, there were about 30 boats in view but none of them really stayed around too long. They must not have been catching anything. I worked the same exact area all day long. We caught 15 but they lost or missed an additional 30 or more fish. Doubles, triples, and quads were not uncommon.

Early in the day, flicker minnows in neatral colors set up high in the water colume did most the damage. 30 to 45 back. Purple passion was hot then died.
When the fish moved down, copperhead 73 back was the hot baits along with slick smelt at 63 back being a close second. We were fishing 18ft of water and the humps came up to 13 feet. Running 73 back puts you down 15 ft and 63 is down 14feet. At times, those outside baits would tick the tops of the humps.

We did manage a few late in the day up high as well.

With Walleye fishing, when in doubt, ALWAYS locate structure! I'm not sure how others did out there. Judging from the quitness of the radio and lack of word on the internet, I assume they did not fair well. The one boat I did talk to fished all day and caught NOTHING.

Also, they were speed sensative. Pay close attention when you go through an area. If you are running North and catch more fish than running south, chances are there is a current. Your baits are moving faster going in one direction vice the other. Also, when making turns, if you start getting hits on your outside boards, you probably should speed up when going straight. Those outside boards will speed up in a turn and IF that triggers a strike, you are going to slow! Just a few tips to help out.

Rich,
Marked like this?

Attachment 299488


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Rich

I was out in that area and also picked up a few ,didn't know you were out .would of slide buy

That is what they look like Steve. Looks the same on the paper maps too.

Jimmy, I'm pretty sure I saw you go buy once. I was headed south and you were headed north. I had my hands full at that time with four rods going off at once and having just netted a fish.

Aaron, I thought that was your truck parked next to mine in the lot. Sorry, I missed your wave (I wasn't avoiding you). There was a ton of crap in the water and I was keeping a very watchful eye as not to run over anything.

I actually had a recliner go floating by at one point in time. Pipe insulation, tons of sticks, limbs, trees and driftwood too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by spartannation

Possum was king of the perch hole today and by the time we left the water he was talking smack like he"d been doing it his whole life.

---

Hey Jerry, you taught him well.....I just got this from him.

Attachment 299554



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Ok I think you guys, Steve, Jerry and Rich I think you are doing it ALL wrong. I think if the fish are that plentiful, you need to leave the rods home and use bigger dip nets.....:Rofl

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Also, they were speed sensative. Pay close attention when you go through an area. If you are running North and catch more fish than running south, chances are there is a current. Your baits are moving faster going in one direction vice the other. Also, when making turns, if you start getting hits on your outside boards, you probably should speed up when going straight. Those outside boards will speed up in a turn and IF that triggers a strike, you are going to slow! Just a few tips to help out.

---

I get that part, its allot if not the same as boards for Salmon. Faster, Slower, turns.

What is the trick to bring in an outside board & line to the boat without getting a tangle with the inside board?
I had that happen one, was idiot error on my part, and the only other tangle was when a White Bass, Dove and went under the line of the next board some how.

Both tangles were quick to untangle, but the question is how to get that outside board in, with or without a fish?

OE

Answered my own question.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HHp2rJvglw

or this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY1MkxQb6pA

Keith Kavajecz and Bruce DeShano do a really good video on it, but I'd have to look for it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishingcouple

use bigger dip nets.....:Rofl

---

Back about 1978 I tried my hand at using gill nets for perch. Big dip nets were for smelt :biggrin

Well, then for a solo trip alone on Lake Erie, I think i did well.
Sunday was the only day I got a Walleye, it was only 12 inches long, and threw him back, and one White Bass.

Either method should work as I only have 2 boards for each side...... :) I can test both until i feel comfortable with 3 boards a side.

OE

Aaron

I feel you empty net,

I really never consistently pulled crankbaits and dedicated this year as my year to learn so i will take it as a learning lesson when the live well comes home empty

Its still fun and im out doing what i love most except go to work

Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I actually got started trolling a crank bait on each side along with 2 harnesses. As my crank bait collection grew, so too did my usages.

All has their place. Right now and the fall, cranks all the way. Summertime is harnesses except for those suspended fish.

I've had summer days that they wouldn't hit harnesses but pounded cranks too. Having all the tools and being confident in using them will ensure success on the water.

Hey Arron , I started with 2 rods on each side and I was a believer in letting the inside boards fall back unless I was running some really long set backs , I changed how I retrieved my outside board or any board when rich and I started our tournament journey. Releasing the line from the or-19 clip on the offshore boards and letting the fish/board fall back behind the boat and bring everything up the middle of the spread. This method works the best for all situations to me, especially if you're fishing alone and another plus is the inside boards continue to fish.
As far as tangles, good spacing between the boards, not making turns to sharp and try to maintain good boat control, sometimes harder to do in windy conditions but the use of your bow mounted trolling motor to steer the boat and using a kicker motor or main motor to push will take a lot of stress out of the equation
I troll a lot by myself and have found these methods to work the best for 1 person fishing or 3 people fishing in the boat



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I’ll be resting my 3 different colors of Flickers this weekend.

Maybe I’ll do better I’m Saginaw than Lake Erie.

Time will tell. I don’t have a kicker, so it’s goin to be trolling motor all the way until batteries are dead or use my Amish Bags to slow down the main, and use the Trolling to steer.

That keeps me out there longer so will have to figure that out as well.

Maybe when I win the lottery, I’ll get that kicker with power trim..... ;)

I’ll keep you posted on my adventure

two years ago I started mixing cranks with my harnesses down on Erie .......did it April thru June , many times the fish wanted cranks more than crawlers and I hate messing with crawlers anyway.
I mostly used the flicker minnows in may and june , but before that used the bandit deep divers , deep husky's, smithwick p-10 with 2 ounce inlines.
every day was a different bite.
you will spend a large fortune on cranks!!!!
enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steelguy

two years ago I started mixing cranks with my harnesses down on Erie .......did it April thru June , many times the fish wanted cranks more than crawlers and I hate messing with crawlers anyway.
I mostly used the flicker minnows in may and june , but before that used the bandit deep divers , deep husky's, smithwick p-10 with 2 ounce inlines.
every day was a different bite.
you will spend a large fortune on cranks!!!!
enjoy.

---

You running 9.s early in the year and going to 7.s late spring /summet

I ran my main motor with 2 bags and bow mount motor for the first two years of walleye fishing , with that setup you'll be able to troll down to under a mph.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ready2fish

You running 9.s early in the year and going to 7.s late spring /summer

---

actually I use mostly 9s all year......but with that being said, you have to have 7s also , some days that size seems to make a difference.
pink lemonade has been a hot color for me down there, and anything with purple in it.