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SIGNUP

Ice-Perch Battle Statistics:

Date: March 25, 2006

Conditions: -5C, Light Wind, Dark and ominous skies, periodic showers

Objective: Catch the largest Simcoe Perch

Time on water: 4 hours

Tactics Derik: Small jig tipped with or without a minnow fished near bottom.

Tactics Mark: Drop shot, with a minnow on a bare hook, 6” off bottom.

Battle 1 Results.

INTRO

We trekked out to the second group of anglers in the 20 – 25 foot range. Pre drilled holes littered the ice so the auger wasn’t necessary, all there was to do was pick our spot.

WEATHER

Despite the cloud cover the day was surprisingly mild on the ice.  The rain managed to stay away except for a short 15 minute period where it sprinkled a little bit.  The wind, which can sometimes be vicious on Simcoe was relatively calm.  This allowed us to take off the gloves and even our coats, making it a very comfortable day on the ice.

FISHING

The day started quickly for Derik, catching many small fish right away.  After the initial burst both Mark and Derik Started to get some numbers of fish.  It was in this time Mark caught the 11.5 inch winner of the day. Not really a Simcoe Jumbo (which are usually fish larger than 12”), but a great fish just the same.  Derik came close over the next couple hours with many fish over 9” and a couple over 10”, but could not hook into a Jumbo to Challenge the victory.

BATTLE RESULTS

Mark fought the Battle winning perch for 30-40 seconds before guiding it up through the hole.  The fish was then bobbled and almost lost down the hole

Some fast perch action for Derik

Still waiting for the big one

AFTER THOUGHTS

Derik: We set up quickly, I had no longer dropped my small white and chartreuse jig to the bottom when I had the first fish on his way to the ice-top.  Mark baited and lowered his jig, but had no takers.  I quickly iced a dozen or so perch, but with the largest at about 9 inches, I knew they wouldn’t win the battle.

The Battle raged on for about 4 hours. I managed to ice a couple perch in the 10’ range but couldn’t catch a larger fish. As the wind picked up and temperature started to drop I had to surrender to defeat.

Mark lucks out with the first Battlefish win

But not the war.

Mark: well, we made it out pretty quickly since it wasn’t a far walk. We stopped at our first set of holes to set up, and friggin’ Derik had about 12 fish on the ice before i had my minnow down the hole.

I knew that I wasn’t going to win with numbers since the battle was for the BIGGEST perch. I set up a dropshot rig so i can hold the minnow on a bare hook 6 inches off the bottom. I didn’t catch as many fish as Derik, but I landed a nice 12 incher (Derik only says it’s 11 1/2 though, but I like round up). hehe

Derik came close, but couldn’t beat it.

Might have had some luck, but hey, I WON!