Top 10 Yellow Perch Fishing Lures

This post will list the top 10 yellow perch fishing lures. Although many yellow perch are caught by anglers fishing with live bait, they are an aggressive predator species that will readily take artificial lures. For the most part, these are just scaled-down versions of the same lures anglers use for other larger freshwater species.

Yellow perch feed mostly on minnows and other small bait fish. Therefore, the most productive artificial lures for yellow perch fishing mimic a wounded minnow. Yellow perch are often found in larger schools in deeper water than most other panfish. This results in a vertical presentation being particularly effective, both in open water and ice fishing applications.

The top 10 yellow perch fishing lures are;

• VMC Neon Moon Eye jig
  
• Mister Twister curly tail grub
• Gulp Alive Minnow
• Clam Leech Flutter spoon
  
• Marabou jig
• Rapala Shad Rap
• Panther Martin spinner
• Rapala Jigging Rap
• Sweedish Pimple spoon
• Bill Lewis Tiny Trap

There are certainly many other artificial lures that anglers can use to catch yellow perch. However, these top 10 yellow perch fishing lures will get the job done in any situation that an angler chasing yellow perch will encounter. Since a vertical presentation is often used, many of these are excellent ice fishing lures as well.

Best yellow perch fishing tackle

Yellow perch fishing is rather uncomplicated and that is one of the attractions of this style of fishing. Anglers do not need tackle boxes full of lures or a dozen rod and reel combinations. Since yellow perch are small, ultralight or light spinning tackle is the best choice for most anglers. This equipment is versatile and will allow for the yellow perch to give a good account of itself while still giving an angler a chance if a larger fish is hooked.

Shop Amazon for a yellow perch light rod and reel combo

A 6 foot to 6 1/2 foot light or ultralight spinning rod paired with a 1000 series reel is a good all-around combination. In clear water, for pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line is a good choice. Anglers fishing in more stained water or for larger yellow perch can bump it up to six or 8 pound test. Braided line does increase sensitivity, however a fairly long piece of fluorocarbon leader should be used. Anglers ice fishing for yellow perch will do fine with any inexpensive outfit that is used for panfish.

Top 10 Yellow perch fishing lures

The list of the top 10 yellow perch fishing lures includes jigs, spoons, and plugs. It would be hard to argue against some type of jig as the top yellow perch fishing lure. Jigs work well in a vertical presentation in any water depth. They also resemble minnows and other aquatic prey. Jigs also allow anglers for precise steps control. Finally, jigs catch every species of fish that swims. Anglers yellow perch fishing with lures will almost certainly encounter bass, walleye, and other panfish species. Jigs can be tipped with a minnow or nightcrawler to add to the effectiveness.

VMC Neon Moon Eye jig

First on the list of the top 10 yellow perch fishing lures is the VMC Neon Moon Eye jig. This is an outstanding jig head that comes with a quality hook, finish, and even has a little keeper which will result in the soft plastic grub staying on the hook longer. Yellow perch are attracted to bright colors, and the brightly colored heads on these jigs will help her bring them to the hook.

Read more about ice fishing for yellow perch

The jig head is not finished on its own, but instead in conjunction with a soft plastic grub of some type. Those will be covered in the next few paragraphs. Anglers can also use the jig head is a vehicle to present live bait. A Moon Eye jig with a live minnow hooked through the lips has resulted and many a yellow perch for anglers fishing through the ice as well as an open water.

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Mister Twister curly tail grub

Mister Twister revolutionized soft plastic grub’s for jigs in the late 1970s when it came out with the curly tail grub. It is a simple design yet puts out incredible lifelike action in the water. Grub bodies are available in several sizes and quite a few different colors. The 1 inch and 2 inch baits and bright colors such as chartreuse and pink are very effective. White is a good color in clear water as well. They are used in conjunction with a jig head.

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Gulp Alive Minnow

The Gulp Alive Minnow is as close as an angler can come to combining an artificial lure with live bait. It is a soft plastic lure. However, the scent really increases the effectiveness of the bait. 1” and 2” sizes are best for yellow perch fishing. Emerald Shiner is a great color. It is effective through the ice as well as in open water situations.

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Mepps Syclops spoon

The Clam Leech Flutter spoon is an outstanding bait and in next on the list of top 10 yellow perch fishing lures. It is long and slender, which appeals to the smaller yellow perch. Clam spoons have a very erratic action in the water. Most often they are presented vertically, but can certainly be cast out and retrieved back in. Trolling is also effective in shallow water. They are an excellent ice fishing lure as well.

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Marabou jig

Marabou jig are more known for catching crappie, however they are excellent yellow perch fishing lures as well. The natural fibers put out a tantalizing action with the slightest movement. Marabou jigs are very effective on tough days when the fish are less active and a more subtle presentation is required. White works well post cold front with bright sun. Chartreuse is better under normal conditions.

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Rapala Shad Rap

The Rapala Shad Rap is the best and most versatile freshwater crankbait on the market. It comes in shallow and deep running versions, the deep diver is best in most situations for yellow perch fishing. The (04) and (05) sizes work best and will dive ten feet or so. Silver and other bait fish colors work best. They can be cast and retrieved but are really productive for trolling to locate a school of fish. It can not be used for ice fishing.

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Panther Martin spinner

Inline spinners will fool yellow perch. The Panther Martin is number seven on the list of top 10 yellow perch fishing lures. Spinners work well in streams and rivers when yellow perch migrate up to spawn. They are also good on large open flats. The Panther Martin spinner is best because it is heavier than many other spinners and will get down deep enough to catch perch.

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Rapala Jigging Rap

Next on the list of top yellow perch fishing lures is the Rapala Jigging Rap. This is a legendary ice fishing lure! However, it is a bit overlooked by anglers fishing open water. It combines a jig with a plug. When jerked sharply, it shoots up then falls in an erratic, enticing manner. The smallest sizes are best and gold is a great all round color.

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Sweedish Pimple spoon

The Sweedish Pimple spoon is another excellent yellow perch fishing lure. It is also long and slender, which has the action that perch are attracted to. It is obviously a good ice fishing lure as well as being productive in open water. Gold is an excellent finish and smaller sizes work well.

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Bill Lewis Tiny Trap

Last on the list of top 10 yellow perch fishing lures is the Bill Lewis Tiny Trap. It is the smaller version of the famous Rat-L-Trap. It is a lipless ctrankbait that puts out a lot of flash and vibration. It is a great search bait, allowing anglers to cover a lot of water, whether casting or trolling. Surprisingly, it will produce under the ice when ripped up aggressively.

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In conclusion, this article on the top 10 yellow perch fishing lures should help anglers catch more of these tasty and hard-fighting panfish.