Zach Winn Posted March 7, 2018 Posted March 7, 2018 I live up north and yellow perch and smallmouth are every where in the rivers I fish. I’ve tried using perch coloured baits to catch smallmouth with limited success compared to a sexy Shad or other shad/shiner coloured bait. I was just wondering how much of a smallmouth’s diet is actually includes perch? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 5 minutes ago, Zach Winn said: I was just wondering how much of a smallmouth’s diet is actually includes perch? I've never had one puke up a perch, but often time crawfish, alewife, gobies, and little true bass which I can only assume are white perch; around 3" long. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 In my local waters here in north MI - yellow perch (and crayfish) make up 95 % of the carcasses found in my live well at the end of most every smallie trip; regardless of the time of year. I don't fight it or over think it - Usually pays off. A-Jay 3 Quote
mattkenzer Posted March 7, 2018 Posted March 7, 2018 2 minutes ago, A-Jay said: In my local waters here in north MI - yellow perch (and crayfish) make up 95 % of the bait found in my live well at the end of most every trip. I don't fight it or over think it - Usually pays off. A-Jay I see similar results as A-Jay. Some of our Smallmouth waters do not have Crayfish so Perch and Minnows are the Food Group. In waters that have Crayfish and Perch, IMHO I believe the Smallmouth favor the Crayfish for sure. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 21 hours ago, J Francho said: Interesting.... For that first week of June (especially around the full moon) it's all about the Hexageneia Linbata A-Jay 2 Quote
mattkenzer Posted March 7, 2018 Posted March 7, 2018 4 minutes ago, A-Jay said: For that first week of June (especially around the full moon) it's all Hexageneia Linbata A-Jay My waters get polluted with Mayflies. I have watch big smallies fin at the boat like dolphins but wont give you a look ..... I didn't say as big as dolphins. LOL The Marabou Jig will fool a few but not often. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 4 minutes ago, mattkenzer said: My waters get polluted with Mayflies. I have watch big smallies fin at the boat like dolphins but wont give you a look ..... I didn't say as big as dolphins. LOL The Marabou Jig will fool a few but not often. I know the feeling - I broke down and geared up with a fly rod. Super fun and something I look forward to every summer. When the bite is on - it's totally ridiculous. #suicidalbass A-Jay 4 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 That's food for my smallmouth's food... 1 1 Quote
mattkenzer Posted March 7, 2018 Posted March 7, 2018 1 minute ago, A-Jay said: I know the feeling - I broke down and geared up with a fly rod. Super fun and something I look forward to every summer. When the bite is on - it's totally ridiculous. #suicidalbass A-Jay Nice fish A-Jay. I may have to dust off the fly rod this year .... 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 1 minute ago, mattkenzer said: Nice fish A-Jay. I may have to dust off the fly rod this year .... Thanks ~ Do it. You'll be glad you did. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted March 7, 2018 Super User Posted March 7, 2018 Summer and fall smallmouth follow the schools of perch in lakes. If you locate perch the smallmouth aren't far away. I've never fished a river that had any perch so I can't tell how they relate to them there. 1 Quote
Fish the Mitt Posted March 7, 2018 Posted March 7, 2018 2 hours ago, A-Jay said: I know the feeling - I broke down and geared up with a fly rod. Super fun and something I look forward to every summer. When the bite is on - it's totally ridiculous. #suicidalbass A-Jay Here I am with a fly rod I didn't end up using as much as I thought I would, and wondering what I'm going to do with it... Now.I.Know! 1 Quote
Super User gim Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 The two primary food sources on lakes/rivers here that do not include the Great Lakes are crayfish and perch. I have done pretty good using perch colored jerk baits for smallies the past two years. Bugs are a seasonal option but they gorge on them when they are available. 1 Quote
Adam.love05 Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 I fish Champlain a lot as well as the surrounding Waters in northern VT.. and anything perch usually works great.. I've seen smallies caught with 6" perch half digested.. I think they are pretty willing to grab a snack anytime they get a chance, whatever it may be.. my most productive jerkbaits are perch pattern.. only bad news is those slime rockets (northern Pike) like them as well.. d**n things 2 Quote
Way north bass guy Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 23 minutes ago, Adam.love05 said: I fish Champlain a lot as well as the surrounding Waters in northern VT.. and anything perch usually works great.. I've seen smallies caught with 6" perch half digested.. I think they are pretty willing to grab a snack anytime they get a chance, whatever it may be.. my most productive jerkbaits are perch pattern.. only bad news is those slime rockets (northern Pike) like them as well.. d**n things Nothing wrong with a pike or two getting ahold of your perch coloured jerkbait ? 6 Quote
Super User gim Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 15 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said: Nothing wrong with a pike or two getting ahold of your perch coloured jerkbait I lose a lot of lures from pike, but they are rarely this big. Most of the ones that bite mine are snakes because our lakes are over run with them. That's a good one. Quote
desmobob Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 6 hours ago, A-Jay said: For that first week of June (especially around the full moon) it's all Hexageneia Linbata A-Jay I remember reading that mayfly nymphs make up an impressive percentage of Walleyes' food intake, too. I suppose it was referring to younger age classes... Anyway, it's a fun time to fish for several species when the Hex hatch is on! Tight lines, Bob 1 Quote
Adam.love05 Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 20 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said: Nothing wrong with a pike or two getting ahold of your perch coloured jerkbait ? Man oh man!! Nice! If I could land something like that I'd be okay with it.. but that's tough to do on 10-12# fluro.. they're usually just big enough to steal my jerkbait! Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 18 minutes ago, desmobob said: I remember reading that mayfly nymphs make up an impressive percentage of Walleyes' food intake, too. I suppose it was referring to younger age classes... Anyway, it's a fun time to fish for several species when the Hex hatch is on! Tight lines, Bob Yes Sir ~ this is something I did not know going into it but discovered right off the bat. Really surprised me too. Walleye taking my bugs off the surface at sunset - who'd a thunk ? Still Fun though . . . A-Jay Quote
Zach Winn Posted March 8, 2018 Author Posted March 8, 2018 6 hours ago, J Francho said: I've never had one puke up a perch, but often time crawfish, alewife, gobies, and little true bass which I can only assume are white perch; around 3" long. Most of what I’ve seen spit up is a Shad or alewife looking bait fish. I know craws are common in my area as well. 1 Quote
desmobob Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 5 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Yes Sir ~ this is something I did not know going into it but discovered right off the bat. Really surprised me too. Walleye taking my bugs off the surface at sunset - who'd a thunk ? Still Fun though . . . A-Jay Here's a shot of a Hex I took back in the '90s with old school macro gear and slide film: Tight lines, Bob 4 Quote
Way north bass guy Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 20 minutes ago, Adam.love05 said: Man oh man!! Nice! If I could land something like that I'd be okay with it.. but that's tough to do on 10-12# fluro.. they're usually just big enough to steal my jerkbait! This guy came on 14lb fluoro. I usually target them with heavier stuff, we grow em pretty big up here, but I have caught quite a few over 15lbs on some pretty light bass gear. Just gotta take your time and pray the lures not deep in their face ? Quote
Adam.love05 Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 5 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said: This guy came on 14lb fluoro. I usually target them with heavier stuff, we grow em pretty big up here, but I have caught quite a few over 15lbs on some pretty light bass gear. Just gotta take your time and pray the lures not deep in their face ? Very true! Usually I'll get the ones that half ass it and just nip it.. but sometimes those suckers hammer and inhale it, which gets the heart pumping until you feel you line go slack.. 1 Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 Up here in MA, fishing a very large impoundment, I find that if you locate schools of yellow perch on a structure, you will catch smallmouth bass. And you can tell if it's perch you are seeing as your ds worm will start getting pecked to death! That's how I usually hook a small 5" - 6" yellow perch each trip. The smallies are never far behind. 1 Quote
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