Treasure hunt with white perch! Try it.

[sparrow75]

When you catch a white perch (drum fish) clean it and when you do cut down through the middle of the head, right behind their eyes are two flat rocks. They use these to make the so called drum sound! Take them out wash them and let them dry. When they dry look on the flat sides and tell me what you see...hint---it is a number, you tell me what you guys find. They also are known as good luck stones. An old timer showed this to me.

I think you are referring to otiliths, also known as ear bones? I use to cut them out of redfish and sheepshead when I was working for FL fish and wildlife, they would use them to age the fish. Pretty cool things, looks like they could make good jewelry.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/2119488.htm

A little paragraph talking about other ways biologists use them for fish research.

[LarryG]

To begin with they are not white perch, they are drum. they hit lures quite often, got several over 15 lbs trolling on dale.Also have caught a lot of channels and a couple of pretty good sized flat heads trolling cranks.The last time I fished erie, we must have caught 50 drum in three days, and some folks do eat them, a little bony I heard, but I'll pass on them, wont even eat cat fish and trout.

[kiddrock]

I do know this about a drum, thet LOVE tubes and crankbaits. It makes for some exciting times on KY lake at night when you hook them up, the first thing i always think is "BIG SMALLMOUTH!!"

Which is always the case, but the mouth is smaller than what i was lookin for, and turned the wrong direction!

I have also heard them called a sewer bass, gook, %#$@ fish, and other assorted names.

[Col Forbin]

Don't leave out the jigs - they are like drum candy. Actually, drum here on Ky lake occupy more biomass than any other species. They are fun to catch, until you see it is a drum and not a trophy bass. I have grown so used to catching them that the last two 6 or 7 # bass I have caught here I have dismissed at first - "oh it's just a drum, OH CRAP get the net." I have heard of people eating them. Genetically they are not much different - almost identical to a redfish - which is outstanding to eat. I have gotten to the point that if I want to eat fish I cook some salmon or go to red lobster.

[Cobra190]

Is what you are referring to on the stones possibly the number 8? And yes they also love Cranks on Herrington.

[Wichita]

Is what you are referring to on the stones possibly the number 8? And yes they also love Cranks on Herrington.

Cobra190 My Uncle says it can be from 1 thru 9....I have found so far 2,5, and 7's. Freaked me out when I started seeing them.