Erie Perch

August 13, 2008 - 9:17am — JYork

fishing

Perch fishing on Lake Erie, aboard the Victory, is a “one size fits all” recommendation for summer fun. Your trip with licensed charter Captain Rick Walsh is safe, affordable, and requires minimal fishing skills.

Fresh perch sells for $11 a pound in the Erie markets, so your trip can definitely help with the grocery bill too!

Catching Lake Erie perch does require the best possible fish finding equipment, a "big lake" boat, along with the proper bait and tackle. You can depend on Captain Rick to cover all of those needs for a reasonable fee. A seven hour fishing trip with bait provided, costs $30 for adults and $20 for young anglers. The cost for seniors 65 and older is $25.

The seven hour morning fishing trip leaves the dock at 7 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m.; but if you like to sleep late, there is a six hour evening trip from the hours of 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Many anglers want to catch fish early, and then head for shore before the day's heat gets oppressive. The evening trip is productive also, and you have the added benefit of viewing a famous Lake Erie sunset. Choose the trip that suits your schedule.

Morning Trip

Afternoon/Evening Trip

The Victory is docked at Dobbins Landing, along Erie's Bayfront. There is plenty of free parking located right next to the boat. As you approach the landing with the Bicentennial Tower in front of you as a landmark, turn right and make your way into the large, grassy parking lot on the east side of the boat slips. Click here for a Google Map and driving direction option.

Arriving at the dock about ½ hour before departure is recommended. You then have plenty of time to park in the secure parking area next to the boat dock, and you have an opportunity to organize your fishing gear.

What to pack for your trip? You need a Pennsylvania fishing license for sure. Other suggestions are camera, sun screen, insect repellent, hat, windbreaker or jacket, sun glasses, and comfortable non-skid footwear. Take a cooler with snacks and beverages. There is plenty of room on board to store your belongings. Most people bring their own fishing gear.

There is no need to worry if you forget something because the crew of the Victory has everything you may need. The Victory has rod and reel rentals for $3, plenty of free bait, snacks/beverages for sale, and a helpful crew that will provide plenty of free fish catching advice.

If you are prone to motion sickness, Lake Erie waves are gentle most of the time; but some people are affected by the rocking boat. Just in case, a light snack prior to your trip, is recommended especially if you plan to take “sea sickness pills”.

Passenger safety is a priority. The Victory was built in Erie. The boat is a 65-ft, all steel, diesel powered, Great Lake Passenger Boat that is Coast Guard approved to carry up to 100 passengers. It is equipped with all the necessary safety, communications, and fish locating equipment. The Victory Captains are Coast Guard licensed, and have many years of charter experience.

Once you are settled on board the Victory, the captain welcomes everyone and you begin an enjoyable 45-minute ride to the fishing location. You get to sit back and take in the sites of the bay, and the City of Erie fading into the distance as you motor north out of Presque Isle Bay and beyond Presque Isle State Park.

The captain sets a course for a fishing destination where previous groups had success. Good locations are entered into the Global Positioning System [GPS], and that technology guides the boat back to the exact spot.

Next comes the fishing. You get to bait up, lower your offering into the deep, and get ready to catch some yellow perch. Once you get the few easy lessons from the crew and experience what a bite feels like, you will have little problem catching perch.

The fishing railing on the Victory goes completely around the boat. There is comfortable bench seating near the rail, where you can rest and enjoy a snack or beverage. There are separate restrooms for men and women.

For these trips, you need no prior fishing experience. There is no casting necessary. You simply bait the hook with an emerald shiner, open the bail, and let it fall to the bottom. Start fishing!

On the return trip to the dock, you again can relax or arrange for the deck crew to filet and bag your perch.

The following video clips will give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to schedule a headboat trip aboard the Victory with Rick Walsh and his crew. In the first video clip, Brad Whitman explains the details about what the Victory offers anglers. The second video clip is from an afternoon trip with Captain Mike Hinkle that shows the fishing and catching side of a trip on the Victory