02-02-2021, 03:13 PM
You say you are using "short rods", so assume ice rods; however, what kind are you using? If you're after perch, crappie, and bluegill, you need a light or ultra light rod with a spring bobber off the tip. The panfish bite is so light right now, that if you're using anything larger than light or UL, you are likely missing most of the bites on your poles. I went to AF boat harbor yesterday late afternoon/early evening and many of the bites I got were barely perceptible on my UL pole...it's that light!
Everything ObiFish said is dead on. Additionally, I like to use a 3-way swivel with my "heavy" lure on the bottom about 1.5-2 ft below the swivel. Kastmasters, Halis, Buckshot spoons, etc. They all work if fish are around. My upper jig is usually a 1/32 or 1/64 ratfinkie or tungsten teardrop jig. Don't overlook the glow lures for the RF and tungsten jigs. They work (and work even better is you keep them charged up every 10 mins or so)! Perch colored, chartreuse, and white have been the best for me, and those that glow have typically outfished those that don't.
Something else to consider is your line weight. Anything above 4 lb test is too much for panfish. You want a light, limp, no-memory line that will transmit the bite efficiently. If you're using 6 or 8 lb test, all that memory eats up what little feel you get when these fish bite.
If after Crappie, find deeper water. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 FOW usually does the trick. Pineview has been decent off Port Ramp, Browning's Point, and Cemetery Point. I have not had a true banger day on Crappie yet, but typically come home with 15 or so for a 4 hour effort. If fishing in the afternoon at PV, best times seem to be from 4pm-9pm. You'll get a good bite an hour or so before and after dark, then they seem to wake up again between 7:30-9 or so. Fishing after 9:30 has not been productive for me in 4 trips to PV this year.
Hyrum has been more finicky this year, but the fish are there in smaller numbers it seems. Swim beach, car bodies, State Park ramp area, the fish are there but not in numbers like last year. Seems anywhere between 35-50 FOW is where you'll find the perch. As ObiFish said, if you're not catching in a hole after 20 minutes, move. Perch will typically bite if they're there, so no bit equals no or little fish down below. Perch eyes work great (and stay on even better), but don't overlook a small piece of perch meat on your jig too. Those little guys love to eat their own kind.
One last technique I like is to "pound" my lower jig on the bottom 4 or 5 times, then raise it just above and lightly jig a few times followed by deadstick for a minute or two. If no hits after that, I'll repeat the process until I either move or start catching fish. I think the sound/vibration plus the stirring up of a little bottom sediment gets the perch interested if they're being finicky. If you're after perch, and you don't have a swarm below you, be aware that you may not even be able to mark fish because they're hugging the bottom so tightly. So, if you're not marking fish, make sure your bait is right off the bottom to within a foot or less, and you should pick up some perch...if they are there.
Everything ObiFish said is dead on. Additionally, I like to use a 3-way swivel with my "heavy" lure on the bottom about 1.5-2 ft below the swivel. Kastmasters, Halis, Buckshot spoons, etc. They all work if fish are around. My upper jig is usually a 1/32 or 1/64 ratfinkie or tungsten teardrop jig. Don't overlook the glow lures for the RF and tungsten jigs. They work (and work even better is you keep them charged up every 10 mins or so)! Perch colored, chartreuse, and white have been the best for me, and those that glow have typically outfished those that don't.
Something else to consider is your line weight. Anything above 4 lb test is too much for panfish. You want a light, limp, no-memory line that will transmit the bite efficiently. If you're using 6 or 8 lb test, all that memory eats up what little feel you get when these fish bite.
If after Crappie, find deeper water. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 FOW usually does the trick. Pineview has been decent off Port Ramp, Browning's Point, and Cemetery Point. I have not had a true banger day on Crappie yet, but typically come home with 15 or so for a 4 hour effort. If fishing in the afternoon at PV, best times seem to be from 4pm-9pm. You'll get a good bite an hour or so before and after dark, then they seem to wake up again between 7:30-9 or so. Fishing after 9:30 has not been productive for me in 4 trips to PV this year.
Hyrum has been more finicky this year, but the fish are there in smaller numbers it seems. Swim beach, car bodies, State Park ramp area, the fish are there but not in numbers like last year. Seems anywhere between 35-50 FOW is where you'll find the perch. As ObiFish said, if you're not catching in a hole after 20 minutes, move. Perch will typically bite if they're there, so no bit equals no or little fish down below. Perch eyes work great (and stay on even better), but don't overlook a small piece of perch meat on your jig too. Those little guys love to eat their own kind.
One last technique I like is to "pound" my lower jig on the bottom 4 or 5 times, then raise it just above and lightly jig a few times followed by deadstick for a minute or two. If no hits after that, I'll repeat the process until I either move or start catching fish. I think the sound/vibration plus the stirring up of a little bottom sediment gets the perch interested if they're being finicky. If you're after perch, and you don't have a swarm below you, be aware that you may not even be able to mark fish because they're hugging the bottom so tightly. So, if you're not marking fish, make sure your bait is right off the bottom to within a foot or less, and you should pick up some perch...if they are there.