Another Angle

I've loved to fish my whole life and I've been in the business for 30 years.

We all like to give advice, but I really have heard more than I've given (in regards to fishing).

Some things I've learned, if nothings biting, keep it simple.  Don't give up, get simple.  I always go to a plain hook even through I manufacture crawler harnesses and flutter snells.  Because when they are finicky, I have to out smart them.  I normally in inland lakes if still fishing or drifting reel the rig in slowing, jerking slightly as I do.  Normally, I get a hit after I jerk it.

On cloudy days, I use dark lures, for example, what I call an orange killer (a black blade with orange dots) works well for me.

On bright days, I always start with a hammered nickel blade with chart green beads.  While fishing for bass, walleye, blue gill and perch, I've had success with this method.    

When I fish for pike, now that's another story.  My Dad always liked to use live chubs, a large 3" bobber when we used to fish up at Gaylord.  While that did and does produce fish, I prefer the good 'ole faithful red and white dardevle.  While I've used imitations, I always go back to the original dardevle.  Whether casting or trolling, I always start with red and white, probably because I believe in it so much.

Now if I were to go perch fishing solely, I'd have to begin with our plain perch rig depending on when I was fishing of course would depend upon the weight of my bell sinker.  The lighter the better.  I prefer a 1/4 oz. if possible.  I prefer night crawlers or leeches, though minnows are a more popular choice by most anglers.  I always use the lightest pole and line possible.  I prefer an ultra light rod and a spinning reel with mason T-line (brown) 6# is my usual choice.  I also have had much success with our chart perch rig.  This is the best stand by I know, with the exception of  "nickel" which is actually worth its weight in gold.