Are estuary perch part of the bass family?

[Ribskull]

Are estuary perch part of the bass family? They look so similar, a quick search didn't get me answers but it let me know they are commonly confused. If this is the case, I want one!! Do they go hard, pound for pound? Do they get big50-60cm? Do they smash surface? You'll see in my avatar that I love surface and that's my first surface bass and my favourite achievement in fishing, though I was targeting Barra.

[Broomstick]

Not only are they in the same family, they are in the same genus. Perch = Percalates colonorum, bass = Percalates novemaculeata. So yeah they are very closely related, and will even interbreed

[Broomstick]

Oh and yes they go hard, they get big, and they love surface

[The G factor]

I've found the go harder in the snags than open water, whereas bass go hard no matter where you hook em. They also feed closer to the bottom than bass generally do, but definitely love hitting surface!

[Pistol]

All of the above, and they do grow bigger than Bass, but judging by the size of that Bass in your avatar you might be waiting quite some time to get an EP that big.... Unless you go and fish with Mr Perch.

[Ribskull]

Originally Posted by Pistol

All of the above, and they do grow bigger than Bass, but judging by the size of that Bass in your avatar you might be waiting quite some time to get an EP that big.... Unless you go and fish with Mr Perch.

That's my only bass under 50cm lol, damn I want power perch

[mr perch]

Originally Posted by The G factor

I've found the go harder in the snags than open water, whereas bass go hard no matter where you hook em. They also feed closer to the bottom than bass generally do, but definitely love hitting surface!

You are 100% correct G

[Breamingwithjoy]

As others have said, they are kissing cousins

Great fun to target as You are generally fishing in water with the possibility of a decent by-catch if they aren't playing ball. You will often end up with a few big bream if you spend a day targeting perch maybe even a flattie or jewie.

Most bass water you get bass and not a lot else. One of my favourite spots offers bass, carp and the occasional catfish.

I love chasing Perch and have had some great 50cm+ fish which have been great fun but I would trade a perch for a bass of equal dimensions any day.

[Breamtim]

Yes, they are very very closely related, and they pull hard. I have a favourite spot (private property) in freshwater, where I target perch on the surface. The great thing about this spot is the bream by catch.as this spot is very rarely fished, the bream aren't too educated and will take most things. I've heard perch can grow to 20lbs? I Don't believe that. I think they could grow to 13lbs max

[mr perch]

Originally Posted by Breamtim

Yes, they are very very closely related, and they pull hard. I have a favourite spot (private property) in freshwater, where I target perch on the surface. The great thing about this spot is the bream by catch.as this spot is very rarely fished, the bream aren't too educated and will take most things. I've heard perch can grow to 20lbs? I Don't believe that. I think they could grow to 13lbs max

Why 13lb max ?

[Piranha]

A perch is a perch and a bass is a perch so their very closely related Basically an aussie bass is not a bass in the same way that an Australian salmon is not a salmon.

They are surface feeders as mentioned and go hard when over 50cm in the timber.

65cm is the biggest i have seen, around the 9lb mark but im sure they would grow much bigger but need a lot of years to get there.

[Breamtim]

Originally Posted by mr perch

Why 13lb max ?

Just in between 10 and 15lbs, don't think they could grow much bigger, correct me if I'm wrong

[Ozfactory]

Apparently way back when really big perch were common. I have seen some photos from the 60s and they are really big fish. Always hard to tell how big in a photo but looks like in the 70 cm's

As most of you would know the big ones are very old.

[Ribskull]

Originally Posted by Ozfactory

Apparently way back when really big perch were common. I have seen some photos from the 60s and they are really big fish. Always hard to tell how big in a photo but looks like in the 70 cm's

As most of you would know the big ones are very old.

I want them ones, I wont even ruin it, I have kept 1 fish in the last 2months. In queensland, we smashed it but never brought home more than 1 fish each.

[Malestorm00]

I am yet to catch a perch or a bass.

im from vic so where is the best place to catch either so I can cross either

off my fishing bucket list.