Our founder, Rich Landoll, has had a love for perch fishing since he was a little boy. And, when he speaks of perch fishing, he still is that little boy. He grew up in Sandusky, Ohio fishing with his dad and grandpa and those memories have stuck with him ever since. A licensed captain and former college professor, Rich combines his experience as an educator with his love of perch fishing to bring a unique experience to those seeking to get them some of that yellow gold.
The School of Perch offers a unique combination of classroom, shoreline, and on-water instruction.
Designed for the beginner, and the not-so-beginner who is struggling to get those limits, the classroom instruction begins with such basics as "What is a perch?" and continues through "What tackle and bait do I use?" and "How do I catch them?" to "What do I do now with all these fish!"
The entire School of Perch experience is designed to offer hands-on instruction. You will get your hands on the exact tackle and methods that Professor Perch uses to fill his freezers. You will be taken step-by-step through the entire process so that you too can fill your freezer!
We will even discuss how to cook them. Battered and fried like God intended!
While the lessons will focus primarily on Lake Erie from Toledo to Huron, the techniques discussed can apply anywhere these beautiful fish can be found.
Simply put, we do it the School of Perch way.
There are as many ways to catch these little guys as there are perch fishermen and fisherwomen. We do not not profess to show you the "best way" or the "only way" or the "cheapest way" or any of that sort. While we will discuss a few common techniques, focus will be placed on the way that Professor Perch does it.
We will even address that age-old question that brings perch fisherman to fisticuffs: Spreaders or Rigs?
Professor Perch does not claim to be the "best guide" who will always "put you on the fish" or any of the like. There is a lake full of wonderful captains and guides who do a great job of giving you a fantastic day on the water. But what the Professor DOES say is that he is a teacher by trade and a fisherman by love. He can break things down and knows how to teach! He will show you how and where he catches consistent limits of perch. The rest will be up to you.
It is as straightforward as that.
The process toward your degree in Perchology begins with classroom instruction. From there, we proceed, poles in hand, to the docks and piers where we will work on our techniques. Who knows, you may even catch something there! Finally, we will spend a day, or two, or three, or a lifetime, on the water bringing all of this to life.
You have the choice of coming aboard with Professor Perch in Kairos, his 18 foot, Wellcraft center-console, or the Professor will go out in YOUR boat with you to show you how it is done in your environment.
Arrangements can even be made for the Professor to take you on a tour of the Western Basin where we visit the places, bait stores, fish cleaning establishments, and other sites that can help you on your perch fishing journey.
What sets our charter component apart from other charters is this: We focus on the process and not fish. Perfect the process and the fish will come. This is what the Professor always tells his students about grades, too. Work the process and the grades will come. And so will the fish!
PISCARI EST VIVERE
"To Fish Is To Live"
The School of Perch exists because not everyone had the good fortune to grow up with someone who took them perch fishing.
There are many dads, moms, grandparents, couples, and individuals who are trying to figure this all out on their own. They see the social media posts of people getting limits and coolers full of fish on days where they really struggled.
That is where we come in. The School of Perch can catch you up on years of experience in a fraction of a season. In no time, you will be the one who posts a cooler of fish. You will be the one that hosts the "big fish fry." And when people ask you how you did it.... you will say that you got them "The School of Perch Way."
Tuition for the School of Perch is dependent on enrollment, class-size, and your choice of offerings.
In short, it is all dependent on what you want out of the experience. The Professor will let you know a price once you choose your process.
Sadly, the reality is that nothing about perch fishing in a boat on Lake Erie is cheap. Anyone who tells you otherwise is telling you a fish story. Costs of operation have escalated to the point where head boats (once a very economical option) are near or exceed $100 per person. Basic perch charters typically are several hundred to over a thousand dollars a day. The struggle is real.
While he can't publish a "set price," what the Professor can say is this... he will treat you like he treats his college students and do his best to respect the price that you paid. To give you a unique, and valuable, experience. He will do his best to make it worth it.
A lifetime of Perch Fishing Memories ahead for you.... Priceless.
Enrolling in the School of Perch is simple. The best way is to contact the Professor is through Facebook messaging.
We can be found at the School of Perch on Facebook.
The Professor will get back to you soon and let you know what options for classes or individual instruction are available at that time.