Use a shorter rod in a shelter, since there’s less vertical room for hook-sets

Ice-fishing Friday: 2 must-know strategies to land more jumbo perch

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Auger all your ice holes in advance to stay on top of perch on the move

STRATEGY #1: HOLE HOP

When perch move from deeper water to feed in the shallows, they’ll roam in small to large schools, terrorizing the area as they gulp up unsuspecting aquatic creatures. Then they’ll slip back into the deeper water.

TACTICS

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When you’re anticipating this pattern, the key is to have plenty of holes drilled in advance. That way, you can move with the fish as they travel to and from their midday haunts, as well as within the feeding area. I like to drill my holes four to five feet apart in straight lines, running from deeper to shallower water. I drill two lines of holes for each angler in the group, giving everyone lots of opportunity to fish at different depths, and at similar depths once we locate a school.

When perch are on the feed, constantly looking for food, they will readily bite. So, if I don’t get a hit or see any perch on my flasher after five minutes, I move to the next hole and start the timer again.