North End

[Creek Kid]

Staying @ Red Door this wknd & looking for some general advice. I think I'm guilty of always fishing too shallow during the day. What depth are you guys finding perch at during the day? We are planning on exploring the flats. I've got it in my head to find saddles around 27' whereas in the past we've gone on top of 20-24' bumps w/no results. Also is there a trick to finding the mud/sand/gravel transitions or does that only come from knowing where those spots are? Hoping to find some walters but not banking on it. I feel like I've got chance at getting into some perch if I can get my head around what they're hanging around for depth. It's really hard to get a feel for deep water when I'm used to to fishing 4-10' in the river. Any info would be great!

[Tom Sawyer]

After finding transitions, I grid out an area (holes 20 yds apart) along and in slightly deeper water. Making sure the deeper edge is over mud. After punching out an area start your search, with either an underwater camera or Vexilar. Underwater cameras can not only let you find fish fast, and the bugs perch are feeding on, but can be worth their weight in gold if the bite is tough. Cameras enable you to see fish inhale light jigs and blow them out just as fast. This type of bite, when fish are tasting, rather then biting sometimes is never known without a camera. "Fish weren't biting" yep that's right, they were just "tasting". I've seen spring bobbers barely move during this taste testing by them, and by then your to late to set the hook.

Perch fishing can be a lot of work, but once you find them fish fast. Tag teaming a hot hole with a buddy holds fish in the area longer. They are always on the move searching out food.

Find the bugs and you'll find perch. Good Luck