Sand Perch

[Tonyc]

I often catch sand perch for bait at the inlet and will keep them overnight , im wondering why after some time do there tails turn red . They stay alive but just got me wondering

[fishnfool73]

They are either brushing up against the container or nipping each others fins. They are territorial in the wild and males have harems and will harass other males. Are you keeping them in a round container ? If so try giving them more room or using two containers for them

[Tonyc]

Thanks yes in a 5 gallon bucket , i go to the inlet to get them and use the next morning at some bridges over by my house . Thanks for the info

[Tonyc]

Thanks ill give it a try . I love using them for bait they work so well around here and are abundant year round . I have caught more fish on perch and dork jacks then i ever do with mullet. I have caught my fair share with mullet . Last year here in deerfield before the mullet run there were dork jacks everywhere this year i had not seen many at all. It was a werid year with all the rain before the water at the Icw just wasnt the same i got a few keeper snook this year but it wasnt as good as last year there were more finger mullet last year to . But i use sand perch all the time i use the real small ones for snapper fishing to. Something weird i actually caught a sheepsheads on on a small one onetime. I always thought they just eat crabs and oysters etc. sometimes its nice to just grab a bag of shrimp hit the inlet and catch all the bait u need in 20 minutes . Thanks for the info here i will use the tips !