Finally my favorite season of the year! The pier perch fishing season has just begun. Went out scouting all morning. Found catches of fish at the usual hotspots. Perch observed being caught were Libery Park, Condos, Dock, and Border Patrol. Just about everyone had a couple in the bucket. A few anglers were limiting in the right spots. I couldn't take it any more so I decided to head out in the afternoon. Fished for a couple of hours, landed 4 keepers. As a cardinal rule, perch shut off after the first couple hours of daylight. But it was rainy and dark out with good cloud cover and strong NE winds. Cold and wet. I knew I could have a chance with this forecast. Caught about 20, many dinks and a few good ones. Just fun to be out on the pier. This is the time to target those local Bay perch close to shore. Water temp still very cold with plenty of feed in the water. Perch haunt all along the Bayfront. Simple method, perch rig and Minnies. Especially nice was to see my old friends in the morning. As I scouted, I ran into many oldtimers. Great to see they all came back. Saw everyone of them out today. A dedicated group, even in the wind and rain. Carl, Roy, Dick, Stanley, Israel, Kelly, to name a few. Glad they all made it another year. These guys are not young. They are a dying breed but all will still be at it another year. With me, the kid, by their side. Will be out at first light in the morning. Will be my real first time out this year at dawn. Will update soon.
