Yellow Fever; Perch Offer Winter Fishing Alternative

By Rob Pavey

CLARKS HILL, S.C.-Even on blustery winter afternoons, Albert Moody can get excited enough about yellow perch to launch his boat into the Savannah River.

"Sometimes, nothing’ll be biting, and they’ll just turn on in a second," he said.

"But they can also turn off just as fast."

Despite their small size, the tasty gamefish that travel in roaming schools are gaining favor with anglers, especially those who want hot fishing action during the coldest months of the year.

"We always use minnows, the smallest ones you can find," Moody said. "We call them ‘toughies’ because they are harder to kill than some minnows."

Minnows can be fished near the bottom on bare hooks or attached to small jigs and dropped into deep water, he said.

Favorite holes abound in the river from below Thurmond Dam back toward the Fury’s Ferry Bridge.

"Usually, if you catch one, you’ll catch a lot of them," Moody said of the striped fish with bright orange fins. "They also bite very faintly, and you usually fish near the bottom."

Perch, which feed by sight, often bite best in daylight and sometimes congregate near dock pilings or ledges. Since schools of perch move up and down the river, they are hard to locate – but can be caught in great numbers.

Georgia’s state record for yellow perch is a tie at 2 pounds, 8 ounces. One was caught by Brad Murphy in 1989 at Clarks Hill Lake; the other was landed by Charles Poole in Lake Burton in 1980.

Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119,or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.

YELLOW PERCH

Habitat: Deep, cold, flowing water

Spawning: January and February

Best baits: Jigs, tiny live minnows

Best tackle: Ultralight rods, light line

Food quality: Excellent

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