Where is the ice ? Don't you normally fish through the ice at this time of year ?
I've caught perch and white bass at Lake McConoughay...but not lately !

I don't suppose that there is a yellow bass within a thousand miles of the great state of Washington ! (Never been there, but I assume that it's great) Probably a lot more/better fishing than around here. The Y bass is very similar to the white perch of the eastern seaboard, with different coloration.

Hello and thanks for the reply.I like both, actually - I fish for what's biting ! Both species were not native to NW GA/SE TN but they have become well-established. The perch demand colder water and are locally abundant but not as widely distributed.
What kind of fishing is available in your area ? JG

Great Panfish - Similar, but not equal ! SE TN

I just re-read the postings and found an answer to my question. I cut the filet along the lateral line and use a very small, very sharp knife to cut out the waste. White bass do well out on the great Plains...I've been there !

RE: Cleaning/filleting white bass.... Do you cut out the red meat along the lateral line before cooking ?

Thanks for the photos. I studied your bottom rigs as I am seeking a more effective way to fish live bait in deep water. In Carters lake, GA there are big schools of fish 50 feet deep and deeper. Any suggestions from anyone are appreciated. The water is very clear and I've been out a few times in late afternoon. Might be better around mid-day, considering light penetration at such extreme depths..
I see that you have a floater on your dropper line, to get the bait up off of the bottom, and act as an attractor. The three-hook setup with beads looks pretty elaborate.

Tahnks for the reply. I 've enjoyed reading your postings and you certainly are catching a lot of beautiful fish.
I've been to that part of Michigan, but not lately. Is that around Traverse City ?
I presume that you have to use a trailer to haul and launch your kayak.
I use inflatable kayaks and rafts, which are long on portability...but short on range !
In life, we have possibilities...and limitations.

I have a place in my heart for the bullhead as it was the first fish I ever caught.
That was in Northern Ohio, which is flat, with sluggish mud-bottomed rivers and creeks.
I was surprised to hear that they in a mountainous area such as yours.

What kind of water are you fishing up there in the mountains, to catch bullheads ?

If you have to use a trailer to haul and launch a "tricked out" kayak, why not just use a regular boat with a motor ?
It would probably weigh less, plus you can carry more, plus get up and move around in it.
To me, the main advantage of a kayak would be portability, but most kayaks I see are Definitely not portable !

100 miles for white perch - its about the JOURNEY - and - the destination.
However, I focus on fisheries close to me, 99% of the time

I've been catching and eating the yellow bass that I told you about.
If I drive about 100 miles east I can POSSIBLY catch some white perch, They are in the Savannah river chain of reservoirs...that 's A LOTTA Water to deal with.

I have plenty of pictures of plenty of fish, but as yet have not figured out how to post them. Like I said, I've enjoyed your photos and even looked up your location, close to the Delaware line. It's good that you can catch so much off the bank. I've fished in the Choptank and at Saxis, VA, but mainly on the other side of the Bay. (Ancient history)
I'd recommend that you put temperate bass/true bass/genus Morone in your search bar to compare yellow bass and white perch, along with white bass and striper, the other members of that family of fish. JG.

Hey Andy - Thanks for the reply. I enjoy your photos. I lived in MD during the 70's and enjoyed catching white and yellow perch and pickerel. Those fish are also available around here, in limited areas, but I mainly have caught other types of fish lately. There are a lot of yellow bass in TN/N GA and they are of the same family as white perch, and are very similar except for their coloration, and stripes.