If you like perch fishing, there is no doubt you need an effective perch rig. Perch rigs for fishing have adapted to changing food sources over the years. In this article, we feature the most effective perch rigs you need to be using!
Top Perch Rigs for Fishing
| Product Name | Type | Features | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perch Pounder II | Dropper Rig | 2 hooks with flashy attractor beads & spinner blades | Vertical presentation |
| Perch Spreader | Spreader Bar Rig | Wire spreader with 2 hook droppers & central sinker loop | Vertical presentation |
| Perch Rig with 3 Hooks | Multi-Hook Bait Rig | 3 pre-tied hooks on leader line, swivel & weight clip | Still fishing from shore or boat |
| Sabiki Rigs | Micro Bait Rig | Multiple small hooks with flash, beads & feathers | Catching baitfish & aggressive perch |
| Hi-Lo Rig | Drop Shot Style Rig | Two hooks positioned at different heights above sinker | Casting, drifting & vertical fishing |
Perch rigs for fishing: The Best
Perch rigs for fishing have evolved quickly over the past few years. Fishermen have figured out that perch did not necessarily change their diet, but some rigs downright catch more fish. Most of these new rigs revolve around a simplistic look with a fluorocarbon line. Somewhat of a minimalist look to it. Of course, you still need to tip these new perch rigs with bait, but the hook and flash are a smaller profile.
Best all-around perch rig: The Perch Pounder II
The Perch Pounder II is a field-tested, fish-catching machine designed specifically for perch fishing—but it doesn’t stop there. Anglers have proven it works wonders on crappie, bluegill, sunfish, herring, and even whitefish. Whether you’re jigging from a boat or dropping through the ice, this premium rig is built to perform.
What makes it stand out? The Perch Pounder II is crafted with real fish skin to give it an ultra-natural look in the water. It features chemically sharpened red hooks for quick hooksets, along with glow beads to grab attention even in low-light conditions. Each rig comes pre-tied with fluorocarbon fishing line, and size 4 hooks, giving you flexibility for different fish sizes and conditions.
For easy setup, the rig includes a high-quality swivel and a duolock snap, so you can quickly attach A sinker and tip the hooks with live bait like minnows, worms, or soft plastics.
Features at a glance:
- Real fish skin accents for lifelike presentation
- Chemically sharpened red hooks (Size 8, 6, or 4)
- Glow beads to attract fish in murky water or low light
- Premium fluorocarbon leader (8 lb. or 10 lb. test)
- Swivel and duolock snap for easy rigging
- Perfect for perch, crappie, bluegill, herring, and more
If you want a perch rig that’s been proven to outfish the competition, the Perch Pounder II belongs in your tackle box.
Top rig for deep water: The drop shot rig
When perch are holding in deeper water, the drop shot rig is hard to beat. This rig keeps your bait suspended off the bottom, right in the strike zone of hungry perch. To tie a drop shot rig, thread a drop shot hook onto your main line using a Palomar knot. Leave a long tag end, about 12-24 inches, and attach a weight to the end of this tag. The weight will sit on the bottom while your bait hovers above it.
The drop shot rig is incredibly effective for perch because it allows you to present your bait at a specific depth. You can use live bait or soft plastics with this rig. It’s especially useful when fishing around underwater structure or when you’ve located a school of perch on your fish finder.
Success Using Perch Fishing Rigs
Now that we’ve covered the top perch rigs, let’s discuss some general tips to help you catch more fish:
Match your bait size to the perch
Perch can be finicky about bait size. As a general rule, start with smaller baits and adjust if needed. Most of the time, perch prefer smaller offerings, especially in clear water or when the bite is tough.
Pay attention to colors
While perch aren’t as color-sensitive as some other species, they do have preferences. Bright colors like chartreuse, white, and yellow are often effective. In clear water, more natural colors like brown or green can work well. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what the perch wants on any given day.
Use Light Line With Your Perch Fishing Rigs
Perch have good eyesight, so using light lines can lead to more bites, especially in clear water. 4-6 pound test is a good all-around choice, but you may want to go as light as a 2-pound test in ultra-clear conditions.
Fish around structure
Perch love to hang around structure like weed beds, fallen trees, and docks. Focus your efforts on these areas, especially during the warmer months when perch are more active.
Try different depths
Perch can be found at various depths depending on the time of year and available food sources. Don’t be afraid to try different depths until you locate the fish. Perch rigs for fishing like the slip bobber and drop shot are great for probing different levels in the water column.
Use your electronics
If you have a fish finder, use it to locate schools of perch. Once you find them, you can drop your bait right into the school for instant action.
Pay attention to seasonal patterns
Perch behavior changes throughout the year. In spring and fall, they often move shallow to look for food. During summer, they may retreat to deeper, cooler water. In winter, they typically hold near the bottom in deeper areas.
Live Bait for Your Perch Rigs
While artificial lures can be very effective, live bait is often the top producer for perch. Minnows, worms, and maggots are all excellent choices. In Lake Erie, the best bait to use is emerald shiners. Because emerald shiners need to be wild-caught, they can be expensive in bait shops.
Fish during prime times
Perch are often most active during low light conditions. Early morning and late evening can be prime times to catch perch, especially during the warmer months.
Using Perch Fishing Rigs With Fishing Technique
If you’re not getting bites, don’t be afraid to move to a new spot. Perch often school up, so if you find one, there are likely more nearby. Sometimes, you only have to move 100 or so yards. It just depends on where the bait fish are.
Using perch rigs will greatly improve your chances of success on the water. Remember, the best rig often depends on the specific conditions you’re facing, so it’s a good idea to be familiar with several different setups. Don’t be afraid to experiment and switch rigs if you’re not getting bites.
Hopefully, this article gave you the pointers you need to put more perch in the boat. Remember, these perch fishing rigs can be fished on shore as well. They work great from a high breakwall.