kevin

You could always make up a couple specialty short lead cores for targeting your 20-30 foot depths.   My guess is, you'll find it will keep up with or out perform the jet setup.  Less drag, won't float up on inside turns, and its a stealthy presentation.
 
 

I personally only ever run a slip float if I'm fishing depths as deep or deeper than my rod length.  If fishing 4 to 5ft depths, I don't think you're seeing any advantages by using a slip float.  
 
If you do run a slip float, a simple string and bead stopper would work fine.  I run a small bead or a small section of silicone tubing under the slip float as a barrier between any weights or barrel swivels.  It freely moves up and down the line, without all the wear and tear on the bottom of the float.
 
With a fixed float and a proper shot pattern, it should cast quite far.  With fresh line. 

I personally only ever run a slip float if I'm fishing depths as deep or deeper than my rod length.  If fishing 4 to 5ft depths, I don't think you're seeing any advantages by using a slip float.  
 
If you do run a slip float, a simple string and bead stopper would work fine.  I run a small bead or a small section of silicone tubing under the slip float as a barrier between any weights or barrel swivels.  It freely moves up and down the line, without all the wear and tear on the bottom of the float.
 
With a fixed float and a proper shot pattern, it should cast quite far.  With fresh line. 

I personally only ever run a slip float if I'm fishing depths as deep or deeper than my rod length.  If fishing 4 to 5ft depths, I don't think you're seeing any advantages by using a slip float.  
 
If you do run a slip float, a simple string and bead stopper would work fine.  I run a small bead or a small section of silicone tubing under the slip float as a barrier between any weights or barrel swivels.  It freely moves up and down the line, without all the wear and tear on the bottom of the float.
 
With a fixed float and a proper shot pattern, it should cast quite far.  With fresh line. 

Pick your own, the price per dozen out of the ground has remained stable.  

Ya they work pretty good under the right conditions.  After a little rain or a good lawn soak, and the worms are up a bit higher, they work well.  Dry ground not so much.  But under the right conditions I've collected an entire flat of dew worms in under an hour. 

Ya they work pretty good under the right conditions.  After a little rain or a good lawn soak, and the worms are up a bit higher, they work well.  Dry ground not so much.  But under the right conditions I've collected an entire flat of dew worms in under an hour. 

I just use my worm grunter and they come right up.  If it's cool and wet enough.  

I just use my worm grunter and they come right up.  If it's cool and wet enough.  

Pick your own, the price per dozen out of the ground has remained stable.  

Pick your own, the price per dozen out of the ground has remained stable.  

Pick your own, the price per dozen out of the ground has remained stable.  

There are plenty of areas for you and your son to enjoy with that boat set up.  The upper and lower Niagara river are both good options.  You don't have to count out Lakes Erie or Ontario simply due to having a smaller boat.  If you watch the weather and are cautious, you can enjoy days on the big lake as well.
 
Inner bays and near shore areas on Lake Erie will get you into some bass and other species.  Towards evening you'll even hit some walleye.  The Niagara river has countless opportunities drifting near shore and casting along weed beds.   On Lake O, gentle south wind days provide calm waters on the south shore.  You can flatline for some trout all along there.  
 
Get out and enjoy.  I put more hours on my 14ft aluminum boat in a year around here than I put on my 25fter.

There are plenty of areas for you and your son to enjoy with that boat set up.  The upper and lower Niagara river are both good options.  You don't have to count out Lakes Erie or Ontario simply due to having a smaller boat.  If you watch the weather and are cautious, you can enjoy days on the big lake as well.
 
Inner bays and near shore areas on Lake Erie will get you into some bass and other species.  Towards evening you'll even hit some walleye.  The Niagara river has countless opportunities drifting near shore and casting along weed beds.   On Lake O, gentle south wind days provide calm waters on the south shore.  You can flatline for some trout all along there.  
 
Get out and enjoy.  I put more hours on my 14ft aluminum boat in a year around here than I put on my 25fter.

Well, given the abundant walleye population which continues to grow even with substantial commercial and angling pressure, you might see those limits go up.  There is talk on the US side about raising walleye limits.  That high population of walleye alone, can have a big impact on perch. 
 
I'm not saying it's recreational anglers having the biggest impact on perch.   But I bet you'll see recreational limits drop before any major changes to commercial fishing. 

The commercial fishery takes it's fair share.  And with the dollars it generates, it's not going anywhere anytime soon.  On the other hand,  recreational perch angling has evolved 10 fold in the last decade or two.  Back in the day, when a much smaller percentage of anglers chased them, with much less effective methods, the congregated spawning fish had more of a chance.  
 
We used to use 150ft anchor ropes and buoy markers to attempt to stop over top of small schools.  Today, it is common to see boats right on top of each other, all running top of the line equipment.  It's no longer perch fishing, it's perch harvesting.   So it's only a matter of time when recreational angler limits will be dropped I think, as there's already talk of it state's side. 
 
 
 

Well, given the abundant walleye population which continues to grow even with substantial commercial and angling pressure, you might see those limits go up.  There is talk on the US side about raising walleye limits.  That high population of walleye alone, can have a big impact on perch. 
 
I'm not saying it's recreational anglers having the biggest impact on perch.   But I bet you'll see recreational limits drop before any major changes to commercial fishing. 

Well, given the abundant walleye population which continues to grow even with substantial commercial and angling pressure, you might see those limits go up.  There is talk on the US side about raising walleye limits.  That high population of walleye alone, can have a big impact on perch. 
 
I'm not saying it's recreational anglers having the biggest impact on perch.   But I bet you'll see recreational limits drop before any major changes to commercial fishing. 

The commercial fishery takes it's fair share.  And with the dollars it generates, it's not going anywhere anytime soon.  On the other hand,  recreational perch angling has evolved 10 fold in the last decade or two.  Back in the day, when a much smaller percentage of anglers chased them, with much less effective methods, the congregated spawning fish had more of a chance.  
 
We used to use 150ft anchor ropes and buoy markers to attempt to stop over top of small schools.  Today, it is common to see boats right on top of each other, all running top of the line equipment.  It's no longer perch fishing, it's perch harvesting.   So it's only a matter of time when recreational angler limits will be dropped I think, as there's already talk of it state's side.