Couldn’t find a place for perch so....

[Major]

Couldn’t find a place for perch in these forums so thought I would put them here with the Bream & Crappie.   We don’t ice up so I can fish for these guys in a boat all winter long.   Sure beats the winter blues that we get around here.   Kind of fun too.

[myronman3]

nice mess,  cheif!   now as far as this being the bream and crappie forum,  dont you worry one bit.   perch and other panfish (not afore mentioned) are always welcome here.   especially such fine specimens as that!

[IlliniTrapper15]

Very Nice those are some HUGE Perch  :eek:  :eek:

[rifleman61]

My mouth is watering
I am a "rifleman" at heart; but I also like fishing as well as hunting
I also like to sit on a stump in the woods and drink good single malt irish Whisky and smoke a good "
"seeeeegar" too.
Come to think of it, I have all the vices
Went fishing with my brother-in-law in Sept. In Kansas, where I was born and got absolutely turned on to pond fishing and "crappie"
Soooooooooooooo, being a Cabela's "commando" I ordered up some "crappie" rods and some ultra light gear.
Then I bought a Lowe 1436 Jon boat and powered it up with a 55lb. thrust Minn-Kota and a basic "Bottom-Line" "220 Fishing buddy" fishfinder sonar from [you guessed it].  Being an old "ddrydocked" CPO and cabinetmaker I am making a set of deck gratings for the bilge [insulation and protection]
So that's where I am, being new to "crappie".  I am a fly fisherman [looks like it's going to be "former" now]
My question is, being a resident of the "People's Republic of Massachusetts" we have lots of ponds around here, a "pond" is a euphemism here for anything not the ocean or not a river. I want to winter fish "crappie" [been reading "Crappie World"] I think it can be done.
Hey there moderator man, can tou turn me on to the "howz, whatz"n"wherez"?
I am a former "sailor" so I am  a fast learner, "lay the gospel on me">

Anchor's Away/Semper Fi
CPO Bull

[spinafish]

well, I have never been crappie fishing in Mass.  especially in the winter..but I can tell you what works here and you can adapt for your area.  Crappie will stay in relatively shallow water (10-15 ft) all winter long here in the Mid-'south.  They tend to hold tight to the cover.  They are not very aggressive in the winter, but can be caught if one is very patient.  I would recommend light line, a light weight (1/32-1/50 oz. jig) in lighter colors (white,gray,or chartruese).  Most of our winter fishing is either vertical jigging..around pier post or submerged tree tops or in the spillways of our flood control lakes.  In the spillways we use one or two jigs tied in tandem about 18 " apart..they are fished under a bobber..usually around six to eight ft.  Of course, this calls for long rods since the fishermen are fishing from the bank.  The are cast up stream and then slowly, slowly retrieved.  The bobbers serve to keep the jigs outta the rocks and to serve as a strike indicator.There are times when we get several really warm days..60 degrees plus..when the crappie will work their way to much shallower water.  Also minnows work really well..