Big Smallies, Nice Trout, Huge Perch

[15FOOTER]

Hit one of the reservoirs Thursday. Got on the water at 7am and left at 2pm. Picked away at fish all day. The water temps were in the upper 50's and all fish were up high all day. Got a personal best 16-17 inch 2lb perch deep though. Smallies were hitting softly all day which was kind of annoying. Boated 5 smallies 2 trout and 1 perch (missed about 10 fish today). I have a question for you guys about hooks. What type of hook would you recommend when slow trolling herring for trout. We had several really really good run offs but couldnt get the hook in with the # 2 octopus we were using. pm with any advice or questions thanks

[JerryC]

Nice job!

[Eskimo]

Wow, that is a huge Yellow Perch.
That might be approaching the state record of 2 pounds, 6 ounces.

[jimmythegreek]

nice job fellas. I mostly downrig troll when its for trout, but if Im drifting herring or slowtrolling I like to use a stinger hook. I use a #2 octopus thru the nostrils sideways and a #4 in the tail w a short flouro tieback. The best way really is to use strike guards, and just let them run w it for a while then set them. I have a freshwater baitrunner I use just for this, altho u can just loosen ur drag til its freespooling so u hear the line run off w the guard then just palm the reel and set the hook and tighten up. This will cause a deep hook and fish must be kept tho it usually is bleeding when netted. U guys can also try using trolling sinkers, they have em at dicks and such. A 2oz sinker usually runs 3to1, 3 feet of line out goes 1 foot down, u can pull plugs or spoons like this and it works great for 20foot of water or less.............

[Skunk City]

Awesome Perch, a beast for sure. Love the coloring!

[15FOOTER]

Thanks, appreciate the info on the hooks. Well def try the stingers next time. Losing fish time after time was extremely frustrating yesterday and herring arent cheap lol

[Buschwacker]

Nice catch ... congrats!

[acabtp]

awesome perch!

[GetANet]

Great Day Some nice fat smallies a huge perch and a few browns sounds like a DAMN good catch to me!!! I hear ya with the Herring, they cost a small fortune and you usually need a couple dozen. And you look at them the wrong way and they DIE!!!! Or should I say turn to Laker Bait LOL!!!!!

[acabtp]

get a 50+ liter cooler and put a 500 gph livewell aerator pump in it. no more dead herring.

[AndyS]

NICE fish all around. Maybe drop a few hook sizes for trout.

[kcritch]

Great Day Some nice fat smallies a huge perch and a few browns sounds like a DAMN good catch to me!!! I hear ya with the Herring, they cost a small fortune and you usually need a couple dozen. And you look at them the wrong way and they DIE!!!! Or should I say turn to Laker Bait LOL!!!!!

Turn into laker bait ....that's funny! At least you didn't say they turn into an impromptu on the water snack! Maybe on on a little cracker with some cheese spread.....HMMMMMM! :D

[NorthJerzyG]

Nice mixed bag! Bet those smallies fought like champs!!!

[Tony Cav]

Smoke them little guys up (herring), Ill bet they make a tasty treat when handled properly.

Or vacuum seal them for next years fluke bait. Fluke love dead, freshwater
herring

[fishpro28]

When trolling for trout, I use a single octopus hook in the nose (sliding hook) and treble hook in the tail.

[MikeNJ]

That smallie is a HOG! Nice catches!

[bigfishy]

The bigger smallies that we got fought gr8!!! Jumpers to boot...A few of em were hooked up with quite a bit of line out, so bulldoggin and then a few jumps makes the fight that much sweeter....The perch took the skunk off the boat and it was game ON for the rest of the day:D --Very pleasantly suprised with the troutskies...:rolleyes:

[Capt. Lou]

Sliding hook rig should cover this , snell first hook then aid a slider in front . This makes the rig fully adjustable to size bait and very simple to use .
Sliders U simply snell over the leader . Use them for flukin all the time with live and dead bait . Herring R fragile so thin wire hooks make a better choice .
Years back herring troll rigs were on the market cup type head anchored them while a tail hook was added sometimes if I remember correctly allowed to swing free or U could tail hook bait .
I believe sliding hook rig best choice with LIGHT wire hooks for herring .

[Mikey topaz]

Look at that toad of a smallie!!!! Niceeee

[kcritch]

Went to reply to this post and then saw I already did...4 years ago. :D This is from 2012. Still a toad and the advice about the rig is still good stuff...but just sayin'.