Spring Jumbos-Lake Michigan Perch Fishing (FAST 3 Man Limit)

I am back out on the big lake joined by good friends Zach and Jeremy and we put the hurting on some trophy sized lake perch. We fished the southern zone of Lake Michigan in this video in Indiana and man was it a treat! Enjoy!
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johnny.goodrich

[@TheEzra66]

Nice work gentleman, Zach awesome captain work. 🍻

[@johnny.goodrich]

Thanks Jeff! Captain Zach always puts us on the fish 😉😎

[@panfishin-fool8057]

Now that's what's up man. I've been in the marina putting a spanking on em from shore 13 days in and I've caught 198 fish. A lot of sorting but some real nice fish in the mix. Dropshotting plastics 🎣. Now back to the video. Tightlines 🤙🏽

[@johnny.goodrich]

Nothing beats some perching! Seems like a lot more big fish are being caught this year too. Been out a few times in the boat and hammered em. Are you in NWI? Might be time for some ice fishing here tho 😎

[@awakenedtotruth8419]

I've had PB success using lipless Rapala's on piles like that. Thanks for taking us along!

[@johnny.goodrich]

Gonna have to add that bait to the list! Thanks for the hot tip

[@awakenedtotruth8419]

They sink surprisingly fast, still has potential for doubles, and calls um in from a distance. Oh, btw a pesky walleye might ask for a lift into the boat. Pound bottom on dirt and sand a few times then hover close to start the frenzy. The vibration and rattles are killer, and the same can be said on blade baits

[@brockbrawn1524]

Lipless Rapalas? Do they not float?

[@awakenedtotruth8419]

@brockbrawn1524 They sink, depending on fish mood and bottom composition, allow them to do so controlled or freely. They will wobble slightly and then more aggressively on the jig-up. You will definitely feel it through the rod on the pull-up, but most bites happen on the fall, and your rod loads when you jig up and the fish is on. Also, if you dont feel the vibration and rattles on the jig up, bring the lure in and clean off the weeds or whatever is on the treble hooks impending the action. Lastly, you have to figure out how the fish want the bait. Allowing it to rest on the bottom for a tick before jigging up will work on occasion, and a constant jig will be the cadence on others. Whatever mimics a dying bait best for that day & time. If you locate a pile like we saw on the video, just about any technique will work bc it's a feeding competition down there. Look for the rippin rap and jigging rap in natural and loud color patterns.

[@stevesteele1456]

I caught a bunch of those perch around the same time frame!! The biggest perch I've ever seen!!! We live in north west Indiana also.. There is a very good chance my boat could be in the background..

[@johnny.goodrich]

That spring bite was one for the books. I’ve got a few pals mounting perch from that bite that are nearly 16 inches. Hopefully they start coming in soon near portage this summer.

[@shawncockerham8094]

FRESH catches😏

[@johnny.goodrich]

You knowwwww bb 😎

[@makdaddy8399]

Why was my mouth watering the whole duration of this video. By the way, I fished the spot where those walleye cheaters fished and caught several 10" perch that weighed 7lbs.

[@johnny.goodrich]

Dude 😂😂

[@awakenedtotruth8419]

This is a time when you set a way point multiple times...just making sure!

[@johnny.goodrich]

No kidding! Lol

[@brockbrawn1524]

Thinking of going out of st joe or new buffalo in the jext few weeks. I have a marcum lx7. How are you finding them on such huge open water with no cover?

[@johnny.goodrich]

That spot has always produced in the past. Pretty much a giant sand flat they hang out on. I haven’t heard of much being caught this summer tho. We didn’t get the southern winds that push those big schools shallow unfortunately.

[@johns875]

Nice video. Never fished southern Lake Michigan. May I ask. Where did you launch your boat and is there a bait shop near by?

[@johnny.goodrich]

Thanks John, there’s a few launches you can hit on the south end of the lake. I like hammond marina, but portage has a great public launch too. Slezs bait in lake station or sportsman den in cedar lake will hook ya up w. Bait/tackle. Good luck 😎

[@pondgators]

Awesome video! Your channel looks really cool and interesting!! Just subbed too👊

[@johnny.goodrich]

Thanks much!! Should be plenty more vids dropping this spring/summer 😎

[@pondgators]

Awesome!!

[@nickolascrego5716]

I was always told that if you reel them up slow their blatter won't do that.. But I don't know.

[@johnny.goodrich]

I need to try that next time. Woulda been nice to toss those small ones back lol

[@gjeka02]

Nice video. What's the easiest harbor to put in from in Indiana with a 16.5 foot boat?

[@johnny.goodrich]

Portage marina is solid

[@susanDonovan-oy7oe]

Did you consider entering the largest one in the Indiana Fish of the Year contest by the IDNR?

[@johnny.goodrich]

I didn’t even think of it! Next time I’ll have to keep it mind!!

[@gjeka02]

Where did you get the minnows from?

[@johnny.goodrich]

I usually hit Sportsman Den in cedar lake. Or Slezs in Lake Station.

[@tomstarcevich1147]

Me and my buddies got 37 perch today out there 55 ft of water 💧 there still out there😊🐟👍

[@johnny.goodrich]

Awesome! Was out this past Saturday and got a 2 man but they weren’t biting as well. Marked a lot on livescope. Lot more small ones too

[@tomstarcevich1147]

​@@johnny.goodrich definitely more small perch now going to make one more run at them on Friday then the weather gets bad good luck fishing 🎣 👍🐟

[@johnny.goodrich]

@@tomstarcevich1147 good luck, hopefully they’re still out there snapping. I’m getting out for some gill and crappie Saturday. Should be nice weather!

[@panfishin-fool8057]

Benn having a ball for 2weeks now over there tons of hook-ups 🎣🤙🏽

[@Skank_Hunt42]

Sad this perch fishing will not last long in the area. I can see it headed down the same way Milwaukee harbor perch crashed back in the early 2000...😢😢😢

[@johnny.goodrich]

Pressure might move them around for sure. Never fished the Milwaukee bite, must’ve been good yea?

[@ryycarter1623]

Bingo you hit the nail on the head good old Facebook destroyed that area

[@johncerk2618]

Perch fishing was great this summer 2023 in Milwaukee and Port Washington for me.

[@JohnnyAlmquist-gt1gh]

What model st croix is that panfish series

[@johnny.goodrich]

That’s the PNS60ULF. Little rich for my blood but pretty dang nice

[@JohnnyAlmquist-gt1gh]

@@johnny.goodrich thank you I thought that’s what it was I have same rod it’s great

[@johnny.goodrich]

It is a slick rod. Would be great for pitching crappie jigs!

[@johndingmansr.5895]

The Blue and White rod you are using looks like the $20.00 Shakespeare from Walmart? Great Video!

[@johnny.goodrich]

You got it. I’ve been really impressed with those rods especially for the price! Slap a semi decent reel on it and you’ve got a nice affordable combo 😎

[@johndingmansr.5895]

@@johnny.goodrich I buy them all the time for my son-in-law and my grandkids. They’re a little rough on gear. Maybe I should start using them

[@johndingmansr.5895]

@@johnny.goodrich were you using the 6’,6” rod for perch

[@johnny.goodrich]

@@johndingmansr.5895 Yepp I was using the 6’6” medium light. I flip docks w. Crappie jigs w. That setup too. 4lb suffix easy handling line. It’s a decent rod!

[@BigLakeLittleBoat]

broooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnny.goodrich]

This spring perch bite has been insane man!

[@BigLakeLittleBoat]

@@johnny.goodrich for sure

[@johnelm7653]

K ool❤

[@2cthetruth]

How in the heck do people even begin to know where to look for perch on lake Michigan???

[@johnny.goodrich]

There’s a few community spots that a lot of folks know about that produce during spring especially. It is wild tho, no structure.

[@johncerk2618]

Catching spawning perch on Lake Michigan should be banned by every state.This is why the numbers aren't coming back to 1980's population.

[@Rural420cannabis]

Could say the same for salmon and yall Americans love your fall salmon runs.

[@mitchellkonchar8870]

Let big females go for future

[@johnny.goodrich]

Hard to do in 60 foot of water. Barotrauma killed most of those fish

[@2cthetruth]

you cant