Reckless Search for Jumbo Perch — THE ICE IS CRACKING

Описание: GIANT PERCH IS OUR ICE FISHING PREY OF CHOICE and catching them in the Beautiful Mountains makes it even more amazing of an experience.

If I was to tell you that there is one lake on earth that my brother was excited about introducing me to and finding Jumbo Perch in... this is the one. After he moved to Montana and started his research on all the available lakes he landed on this one in particular. First because of the beautiful setting and second because it apparently had perch swimming in its waters.

I remember looking at google satellite imagery, underwater charts and trying to figure out where these so called Mountain Perch would hide. The lake was so much different from the usual shallow water that we typically fish. It really is not common for us to be fishing 20 to 40 feet deep. This lake is similar to other mountainous perch lakes I have fished where they really seem to go deep. I figure the food must be down there or they wouldn't be spending there time in the area.

I was using the www.circletackle.com PANFISH 36" ROD with the KY-1000 reel by Circle Tackle as well.

These perch have big appetites, and we found that they were interested in both tungsten jigs and jigging spoons. We used Circle Tackle 7mm Tungsten Jigs on the Jigging Jaw Jacker and Stationary Jaw Jacker.

We also tried out the www.fishfrostbite.ca MEAT HEAD Tungsten jigs tipped with Shrimp, which really seemed to work the best on this slow day.

The Jaw Jackers really did outfish us today and if you'd like to add one to your back of tricks check out their website as well.

www.jawjackerfishing.com

If you enjoy the underwater footage in this video I was using the CANFISH CF1 Underwater Camera. This video was taken 40 feet under the ice. If you'd like to check it out or purchase one of your own, check it out here:
Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/40fC53P
15% Off Discount Code: 7Y6G3D15
#Canfish #CF1 #underwatercamera

Our biggest perch of the day was 14" and a great specimen from a beautiful mountain lake south of the border. My brother Dallas is fortunate to live in an adventure paradise. When I'm along, we get to explore some lakes in the area.

On our trip this year I was fortunate to have brought the cold weather with me. While the 2024-2025 season started very mild the weather turned cold in January and all the ICE froze well so that we could get out fishing like we had planned. The ice was clear and thin. It boomed and cracked all day. Several pressure ridges formed and produced some of the loudest sounds I have heard out in nature. We had to cross a couple fresh cracks on the way out as well.

There really is no shortage of places to fish and fish to catch.

The perch in this particular lake seem to be roaming alone, hunting bigger food items. While it is challenging to find these sparse fish, it is possible. Using a combination of Jaw Jackers and hole hopping we slowly dialed them in.

Sonar is a huge benefit when searching for panfish and almost an absolute necessity if you plan on fishing these mountain JUMBOS.

Doesn't matter if you're at Cascade Lake or beyond you will never regret the addition of a sonar device to your bag of tricks.

Good luck out there this year!

Thanks for watching and if you have a question please leave a comment. If you enjoy the videos consider SUBSCRIBING and hitting the NOTIFICATION BELL. Share with a friend and give the video a thumbs up! It is all much appreciated and helps the channel so I can reach more people trying to figure out how to get into the great sport of Ice Fishing!

God Bless your Adventures!!!




We found success using:

Frostbite Meat Head Tungsten Jigs tipped with shrimp

Circle Tackle 7mm Tungsten Jigs on Jigging and Stationary Jaw Jackers

Presentations a few feet off bottom, not glued to it

We also captured underwater footage 40 feet below the ice, watching perch slowly approach, tap, and finally inhale the bait. Without the camera, many of these fish would have gone unnoticed.

The ice never stopped talking. Loud booming, expanding cracks, and fresh pressure ridges formed throughout the day. We crossed multiple cracks on the way out, making this one of the sketchiest early-ice outings we’ve filmed.

Our biggest perch of the day measured 14 inches, a true mountain jumbo.

If you’ve ever fished:

Clear early ice

Bright sun and high pressure

Loud ice cracking all day

You’ll understand exactly how this bite felt.

🎣 Gear Used

Jaw Jacker Tip-Ups: https://www.jawjackerfishing.com

Circle Tackle Panfish Rod + KY-1000 Reel: www.circletackle.com

Frostbite Meat Head Tungsten Jigs: www.fishfrostbite.ca

CANFISH CF1 Underwater Camera
Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/40fC53P

15% Off Code: 7Y6G3D15