Deep Open Water Perch Zonker

[Bucho]

I was trying to design a subtle colored open water lure for big ol`perch, that takes the niche of bass over here and is equally sought after by anglers. The idea was to use of-the-shelf techniques from the successfull cod zonker but at the same time find a better solution for the body than homemade dubbing brush. I find that time consuming.
The other day, I came across that lang´s soft hair, which has a nice marabou-like shine to it. Sturdy, inexpensive stuff. Tried it on a spoiled paintjob of a Pony Head - nice texture, but a bit too subtle. So I tied it in together with a string of palmer chenille. Looks good enough for me. Field testing will show if the belly has gotten too bushy. It didn`t occur to me before finishing the second tie that the palmer chenille is a bit stiffer and in combination might cause the material to interfere with the blade.

Powder paint is silver vein brush tapped over pearl, blade is pearl as purchased from Lurepartsonline. Zonker strip is self cut from some pedigree rabbit I don´t know the english name of but can get resupplied on e-bay

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

Nice looking baits, I like the looks of the Lang soft hair. It looks like craft fur, but length looks more uniform. Can I see a picture of what it looks like on the skein? Palmer chenille is one of my favorite materials, wish I could find it in a longer size than the medium.

 

[AtticaFish]

Those look excellent. That yarn/hair very cool too.

JJ - Ever looked at the baitfish emulator? Similar to the palmer chenille but maybe 3" length flash fibers.

 

[papaperch]

Bucho- Your perch over there get up to about 5 lb or so right. Some of us might be scratching their heads over the size of lure considering our perch. Here in the States yellow perch rarely exceed 2 lb. A 12 incher is commonly called a jumbo.

Coloration and everything else are so similar it is stunning. First time I seen a picture of a "european perch " I thought someone was playing a trick with the camera. Never looked up the scientific name but I bet the two species share quite a few names.

Do the big perch over there rate as excellent table fare ? Personally I think our perch are without equal taste wise.

If I would tie a jig like yours for perch here I would have to scale it down to about a 1/16 oz head. Which I might because I am really impressed by your jig.

 

[Bucho]

Thanks!

You guys are to be envied for the variety of species you have over there. Here, its northern pike, perch, zander(walleye), asp and giant cat fish - thats it for the predators. Consequently, both perch and zander get a good deal larger than yellow perch and walleye, taking the niche of bass and so. Both of them are frequently being caught on northern pike lures in specimen sizes.

Like most perch and bass, they are being considered very good eating fish. At the same time, large old henfish are rare and often subject to C&R, depending on where you catch them. In the large lake system I fish, there´re plenty, but I sure know better than showing pictures of slaughtered specimen perch to urban customers.

The pattern as such has proven itself as very versatile, effective and fool proof in the baltic. One guy dind´t realize his 1 1/2 oz jig was far too heavy for the 35`of water he was fishing. He spend the whole afternoon plowing the ground with it. The cod took it for a crab and hit it anyhow.
Decided to make standardized use of it over the whole range of the two sea horse mods I have, starting from 1/4thoz to 1 1/2 oz.

The yarn is available in a variety of colors. Hadto pull myself together buying only one for starters, you know how it goes. Will get more of it in that bright pearl tone they had. JJ, here´re some more pics, hope they show better:

 

[papaperch]

I did just a little research. European Perch - Perca Fluviatilis American yellow perch - Perca Flavecens

Scientists have determined these fish will cross-breed. Would love to see some of our states F & G conduct some experimentation with these fish over here.

The American record for yellow perch is 4lb 3oz. this record has stood since 1865 and is the States longest held record for sport fish.

The British record for European perch is 6 lb 2 oz.
The Finnish record for European perch is 6lb 6 oz
The Netherland record for European perch was a monster 8 lb 4 oz.

 

[Bucho]

Building up pressure for the field testing, hmm? I guess anything short of 20" would be a complete failiure in an atempt for "specimen" perch

Mentioning that dutch fella wasn´t exactly necessary :blush: Eight lbs is a freakin`pig! Boy was I proud when I caught my first carp that size when I was a teenager!

But seriously, I´ll be glad if I get anything over 12" on it.

 

[LedHed]

Outstanding work - fantastic tyes

 

[smalljaw]

Very nice jigs, I love the lang with the palmer chenille, great combination of color and material!!!

 

[StumpHunter]

All the jigs look great, nice tying.

 

[Lost Pole]

Outstanding work - fantastic tyes

x2

Really cool how you got such good deprecation with the vein with such a small amount. I never have that luck with it. Great work.

 

[Bucho]

I´m sorry I don´t really understand what you mean with depreciation. Does the black stuff not segregate properly? Might be too little curing at too low temperature or too little amount of paint. It needs calibration indeed, I´ve had more than my fair share of trouble with melted tin heads or surplus paint buldging down. :blush:

I cure the pearl base before applying the 2.nd coat to help it accept more tapped on paint without sliding down.

Edit: That being said, there seems to be a "critical mass", so if you use it on very tiny heads that might be a problem as such. I´ve managed to get good results down to 1/16th shad darts. Below that size its a jeapardy to get some black out at all.

 

[Lost Pole]

Was supposed to be "separation".
And yes I have to push the paint to a overly high temp to get it to do so and even then it's nowhere near as defined as yours.

 

[Bucho]

sorry, no idea what could be the problem apart from thickness and heat. Maybe a different supply. Think I got my gold & silver from rosey´s, they both work well.

 

[Pup]

Great-looking ties.

 

[Bucho]

Just came back from field testing. It was my first time on that lake and I dind´t manage to find the fish before the last minutes of daylight. Which asked for a brighter version. Drifting over the fish standin 30`deep, it had to be the 3/8th version. Could´t get more than two, 10" tops, but it was good enough to tell the softhair did well. It did´nt fluff out too much and stood well out of the way of the blade, no props.

 

[Bucho]

almost two years ago already?!? Haven´t fished for perch that much ever since, but gave a few samples to a fishing magazine editor who I noticed ties jigs but has no real supply of decent jigheads... He wrote an article on open water specimen perch published this month. Gues what:

"I´m just saying that the classical jig is going to experience a renaisance soon, similar to the tailspinner. Due to all that plastic stuff, all those feather and hair lures simply have become forgotten. The lureplay under water is unique. Equipped with a spinner blade, they are a secret weapon for perch, either reeled in or twiched."

Haven´t talked to him lately but I guess he must have caught something.

 

[Fatman]

Great looking ties!!!!!!!

 

[hookup]

ausgezeichnet

 

[Bucho]

Thanks! Looks like I´m finally getting some love over here. Another major fishing magazine has just published a whole article this month covering (my) hair- and flounder jigs in the baltic sea. If you don´t mind listening to a lot of german explanation, there is some nice underwater footage in it:

http://www.bissclips.tv/rute-und-ro...-dorsch-und-plattfisch-mit-haarjigs-4028.html