Tips For The Pier Fisherman

As I have fished many countless hours on the piers off Lake Erie, I have learned many tips from my "Old Timer" buddies. Hopefully this helps those interested in pier fishing.

1 Get Up Early- As far as perch are concerned, the bite is usually in the early morning hours. Many days I will catch one after another and then they simply shut off. Sometimes as early as 9:00 in the morning. You have to get out there at first light. I usually set up in the dark. I see many times fisherman getting there late morning and catching nothing as the old timers walk off the pier with full buckets.

2 Keep Those Shiners Lively- Keeping your bait cool and fresh is a must. I bring an extra bucket and rope to splash fresh water on them. Also a trick to keep those shiners alive is to use a cap full of hydrogen peroxide and add it to your bucket. Minnows last longer. Also the technique of putting that shiner on the hook is important. Barely hook them through the lip or the back so they stay alive and swim freely underwater. Many more strikes will come from a good presentation. Trust me.

3 Use a Good Cart- many times the perch are only biting at the ends of the pier and that can be a walk. Don't try breaking your back by hand carrying all that gear. Use a cart. You can make one, or buy one at a local grocery store. This way you can have your gear and importantly you are more apt to move around.

4 Dress In Layers- I see this all the time. Guys head out in the early morning and they last 15 minutes in early spring. Dress warm. Dress comfortably. Use layers so you can adjust as the air temperature increases as the day goes on. It may be 60 degrees inland in April, but off the pier it feels like 30 with the wind. Also, pack rain gear because fronts happen quickly in Erie.

5 Pack A Lunch- Bring food along, especially when there is a lull. Helps with motivation and the added calories keep you warm. Nothing like starving on the pier and heading for home instead of waiting for the next school to pass by. I always carry healthy snacks to keep me alert. Jerky, nuts, stuff that is light to carry but packed with protein.

6 Electric Is Easier- For cleaning those perch at the end of the day, try an electric fillet knife. For years I used a traditional fillet knife and I hated cleaning a full bucket of fish. When I tried electric, I was hooked. So much easier, cleaning a limit of perch is done within minutes. There are many brands to try out there. Find one that feels good for you and you will never use that old dull knife again.

7 Store Those Fish Properly- After the cleaning, storage is important. Many guys throw the fillets in little plastic bags as is, and they will get freezer burn. A simple method is block freezing them. Submerge the fillets in a container of block ice and they are good as new many months later. I use the bottoms of milk jugs and 2 liter pop containers. Cut out the bottoms, submerge the portion size of fillets you wish for eating, and cover with water. I use at least 2 inches of water to cover them.

8 Have A Fish Fry- Lastly, enjoy your catch. An avid perch fisherman can really rack up the fillets. The last thing you want do is waste those fish. What I often do in the off months during the year is have a bunch of people over for a fish fry. I will take out several pounds of fillets and fry them up with company. Also, share with that neighbor. Everyone knows someone that might not be able to get out as much anymore. Do the right thing and offer some Lake Erie Perch. That's an important part of being a good angler. Share your catch!